“Grant Morrison’s 18 Days” #3 takes a respite from the political intrigue and pending battle between gods of the previous issues and flashes back to the birth of an antagonist with mysterious and ominous origins. Although Grant Morrison is not one of the co-scripters of this chapter, writers Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra regale with a fun and old-fashioned tale of Eastern mythology with a twist.
Written by Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra
Illustrated by Francesco BiaginiThe newest epic from the mind of legendary creator Grant Morrison continues with a look back at the birth of the villainous King Duryodhana. The Queen has been with child for two years, there have been ill omens witnessed across the kingdom of Hastinapur. Meanwhile the blind King Dhrit awaits the birth of his son, who he believes is prophesied to change the fate of the world.
“Grant Morrison’s 18 Days” #3 is dripping with a familiarity and mythology that feels exciting in its quaintness. Grant Morrison wanted to explore Eastern teachings with a current of superheroics running through his story. Devarajan and Chopra explore the birth of one of the previous issues’ characters and queries as to why a darkness hovers over his soul. Duryodhana, who was born covered in a repulsive cocoon dripping with filth, would become the new ruler of Hastinapur and help usher in the epic battle to come. With highly metaphoric dreams and a mystic who has mysterious intentions, Devarajan and Chopra only give enough information to tease the future. Mystery enshrouds this world and delving into this issue is akin to reading an old-fashioned adventure book involving kings, queens, and magic.
Although not much happens and questions are posed instead of answers given, Devarajan and Chopra lend an exciting aura of the unknown through their dialogue and questioning of how some are unwilling to sacrifice for the greater good. Sometimes good intentions (or the intentions we think are good) are not for the best. There could have been more explanation given in the origin of Duryodhana, yet there can only be an expectation that future issues will extrapolate on the possible fascinating explanations for the birth of this godly being.
Artist Jeevan J. Kang, who supplied gorgeous art for the first two issues of “Grant Morrison’s 18 Days”, steps aside this issue for Francesco Biagini. His style retains Kang’s simplicity, yet has a more fluid and simultaneously rougher touch to it than that of Kang. The clothing and setting does not have the fusion of the ancient and the science fiction that Kang brings to the present day, but instead has an old fashioned quality that is appropriate for a story set “years ago”. Drith, the ruler of Hastinapur, looks ghastly and ghoulish with black markings that look like cuts above and below his blind eyes. One can only wonder what horrific actions were done to steal his eyesight. Another memorable character is the mystic who helps “birth” Duryodhana and the potential evil within his cocoon. The mystic’s wild eyes betray an all-knowing being with Biagini giving him Bride of Frankenstein hair and kinetic features containing a frightening elasticity.
Lee Loughridge, who is one of the best and most dynamic comic book colorists gracing us with his talents today, imbues every page of “Grant Morrison’s 18 Days” #3 with a gloomy foreboding. The evocative colors convey the emotions inherent in a horror story, with the fiery lime green of a palace room highlighting the otherworldly sight of the cocooned baby Duryodhana. The orange and yellow colors in Drith’s dream are inspired choices and are jarring as they become richer and thicker as the dream progresses. The subtlety of Loughridge’s color palette betrays choices that engage the reader and urge us to enjoy the idea of wallowing in the story’s mystery.
“Grant Morrison’s 18 Days” is a series that has recognizable tropes from superhero tales and other myths or beliefs. The latest issue deals with the birth of a possible (but seemingly unlikely) “savior” who will save his land and people. Morrison’s melding of superheroics and Indian sagas has been inventive so far and, in issue three of the series bearing his name, writers Devarajan and Chopra entertain with a story that was born to be expressed on the comic page. Biagini and Loughridge work seamlessly as a duo to express the wonder and unknown that lies beneath the epic tale to come.
Final Verdict: 7.9 – “Grant Morrison’s 18 Days” is a series that, in its first three issues, has asked us to be patient as an intricate tale involving a large cast begins to unfold. With the semi-origin of one its main players, the book continues to keep us intrigued and willing to follow this creative team wherever their twists and turns may take us.
