With a heavy, heart-wrenching beauty “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” #2 has its own gravity that draws readers in with forceful grace, beautiful metaphor and transportive visuals.
Written by Steve Niles
Illustrated by Dave WachterAfter rescuing an injured British pilot, the town must protect themselves and their secret from the Nazi occupiers. Using clay and mud from the river, they bring to life a giant monster to destroy those who would harm them.
Set during the second World War in a rural European village, the subject matter of “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” is rooted in history as well as legend. Centering on one young boy’s accelerated initiation into adulthood, the narrative forms a beautiful allegory for the events taking place at that moment in time. As the central character, Noah, is robbed of his sense of security, we are reminded of how many of the events of World War II and the knowledge of those events begin to change attitudes about good and evil throughout the world. The global awareness of the atrocities committed during the war forever altered the public discourse of optimism so widely propagated by the media and culture of that time.
Noah’s father and the other men of his village have left for war. The absence of able-bodied men leaves the women, children, and elders of the village unprotected in a tumultuous and dangerous time. In this way, the setting becomes a haven for the innocent, a place that should seemingly be spared the horrors of war. In fact, it is the presence of a soldier in this town that brings terror to the village. After a British airman’s plane crashes near the hamlet, the attention of the German forces begins to focus on the town. Introducing the conflict to this small village in a very direct way, the events that transpire in this issue of “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” become an astute and thorough examination of the nature of good and evil.
Throughout the story, Niles uses well crafted symbolism to draw on the themes of good and evil. The people of the village, especially Noah and his grandfather, Jacob, repeatedly exhibit courageousness in the face of a much more powerful foe. Jacob instructs the children of the town to begin constructing a protector using mud from the river. To save their lives, they will build a Golem, a monster made of organic matter powered by the essential energies of innocence and faith. An important figure in Jewish folklore, the Golem serves as a powerful reminder that by relying on faith, the good will never truly be conquered by the wicked. This monster, made of mud from a stream, will face down the mechanical, manmade munitions of war: tanks and guns, motorcycles and planes; as well as the men wielding those machines. In this way the earth becomes a symbol for goodness and purity, while machinery is symbolic of force and wickedness. The weapons of the soldiers represent an attempt made by man to control the earth and the forces of destiny. Lacking the surrender and sacrifice necessitated by faithful submission, the implements utilized by the German soldiers in this issue are cast as the tools of the weak-minded, those not brave enough to rely on things they cannot see, or understand. The creative team casts the destructive machines in sharp contrast to the natural setting of the village, elevating the visibility of the symbolism in a profound way.
Wachter’s renderings of the environment and its characters further the dialogue about good and evil. Each panel of this issue has a softness about it, reminding the audience of the vulnerability of the people and place at the center of this tale. This is a village of wood and stone. The cast of characters are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and grandparents; the are families not warriors. This is not a place interested in conquest, but a home to real people, whose relationships and beliefs matter. Using no sharp angles, the illustrations in this issue are not unlike photographs that have begun to blur with age. This choice, along with the absence of color in this series, gives the art a transportive, authentic quality. It seems as though these are images removed from a scrapbook of memory, rather than engineered for the purpose of entertainment. Again harkening back to the theme of good and evil, the values used to tell this story remind us of world where nothing was black or white, in which morality and ethics have become subjective, and decidedly gray. Gorgeous in form, and rich with emotion, Wachter’s work in this issue is a stunning contribution to this series.
Continued belowRelying on things that must be felt to be understood, the quiet desperation of this issue comes through visually, which is a huge credit to the skill of the creative team. Choosing the right moments to show, the storytelling forces empathy from the reader. It is impossible to ignore the plight of these characters who are struggling to find hope in truly frightening reality. Exploring relationships, the team builds the audience’s connection to the cast while continuing to move forward with the larger story. Subtle exchanges, especially those between between Noah and Jacob, make the narrative relatable and personal. Niles’ dialogue is impeccable. The characters conversations and the narration marry well with the legend-like tone of the story, giving the text a weightiness that stands up to the importance of the events and themes that are present in this issue.
At every turn, “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” #2 is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Testing the resolve of these ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances again and again, the this issue finds its heroes resolving to triumph over evil in the smallest, to the most pronounced ways. Refusing to accept the option of cowardice a seemingly small evil, they stay to fight what must to them, evil incarnate. A coming-of-age story, a folktale, an underdog story, a war yarn, and an exploration of faith and goodness opposing wickedness; “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” #2 offers something for every reader. Beautifully distilling complex aspects of the human experience to a single story, this issue is profound in both its depth and scope. This is a truly worthwhile story told in a meaningful and strong way.
Final Verdict: 8.9 – “Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem” #2 is a legend brought to life with care and extraordinary creative capability.
