Supergod is a book by Warren Ellis that is far different than the norm.  In it he writes about the concept of manmade godhood and all that comes of it.  Or at least possibly comes of it as it is a work of fiction.

As the story begins it is literally the end of the world and a man named Simon is recording the story of how it came to be, detailing the events so that if any should survive there is a telling of the account.  Mankind it seems has been in an arms race having all sorts of weapons including the nuclear kind, yet they need something more.  It seems various countries think they need a super-powered being to take it to the next level.  And as it turns out, they get more than they bargain for as they imbue the beings with far more power than what is necessary also not knowing it is to their detriment.

Thusly as one country races another, these super-gods are brought into being and their very existence starts to spell catastrophe for mankind as countries are nuked, wiped out, diseases are born, madness spreads and every calamity imagined and unimagined is born.  As the narration goes on we see how eventually the gods’ even battle amongst themselves until all that is left is doom.

It is an interesting story and is highly original in its execution, not that there hasn’t been similar stories about gods, but nothing on this level.  Also it is a pretty horrific tale, not only about the fatalism of the human race, but the art by Garrie Gastonny is very detailed in it’s gruesomeness and is a little disturbing.  The pencils are tight throughout and each character and god is distinct from the other.  As stated, some of the scenes are so monstrous that it is hard to imagine any other artist that could do as well a job.

Ellis has written some big stories in his day about all manner of subjects.  At Avatar, the publisher of this book, it seems he has spread his wings as far as they can go and told some of the most daring stories of his career.  Supergod is and remains one of the most exciting and disturbing stories to come out of Ellis’ very twisted yet genius mind.

4.5 out of 5