VIMANARAMA #2 REVIEW

[James Groves]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0305/Vimanarama2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0305/Vimanarama2T.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="Vimanarama #2"></a>Reviewer: James Groves, JamesandtheDragon@hotmail.com
Story Title: Vimanarama: Act Two

"What about my back shop?"

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist & Cover: Philip Bond
Colors: Brian Miller
Letters: Todd Klein
Assistant Editor: Pornsak Pichetshote
Editor: Karen Berger
Vimanarama created by: Morrison & Bond

Grant Morrison's flirtation with Islamic (or is it Hinduistic?) religious culture continues in the second issue of this conceptual cross-breed of pre-existing religious pantheons and pre-existing superhero mythoses. Tackling immigration issues on a fantastical scale in the form of God-like deities and evil supernatural beings running unchecked over England's lands, Morrison brings us a storyline full of personality and humor. Parliament is stripped literally to its bare essentials and mocked relentlessly--especially its figurehead, and his constant need to assert that "We do not bow to terror". Society is in chaos as riots fill the streets, the land is torn asunder by imaginatively designed superbeings, and all the while, Al continues to feel alienated by everyone around him--including his bride to be. And amidst all this destruction, Morrison grounds the storyline instantly with the amusing portrayal of Ali's dad, who is more concerned with his "back shop" than the fate of the world.

Grant Morrison continues to conjure a somewhat bizarre and weird storyline here, but it's still generally free of the meta-textual leanings that we see in a lot of his work, and instead, embraces meta-physical meanings within a fairly standard—dare I say over-familiar--"hero vs. villain" type storyline. That is, until the last page shocker: where we see suicide being used as the means to an end; as a way of saving the world. Now in all honesty, I have to say that's an interesting idea right there and one that will hopefully be further explored next issue. The Bollywood-esque touches seen in the previous issue are a little less noticeable in this issue, as it takes a far more sinister, darker tone. However, there's still the Kirby-esque flavour to the visuals and the borderline stereotypical family dynamic within this issue makes for an entertaining and fun read. It's also very funny. From Prince Ben Rama's ironic utterings of: "God! Pain. Ah God, the pain" when he is felled by a leaf (as the reader realises that without love he is powerless), to his hilarious remark: “My knee.. grazed beyond redemption”, to the demons drinking a molotov-cocktail like a nice cool can of Coca-Cola, Morrison scripts a lot of great comedy moments throughout the issue.

The artwork by Bond is angular in approach and suitably cute and cartoony, but it still retains a sense of realism and detail when needed to get across the more serious elements in the plotline. Bold, thickly inked designs, beautifully envisioned architecture and background environments, and some stunning colors by Brian Miller, really bring to life the characters within the storyline. The Ultra-Hadeen (how cool is that name?!) 'team' has some wonderfully designed characters in its ranks. From the multiple armed totem poled character, to a sumo floating within a green bubble, there are a number of characters who are obscure and fascinating to look at all at the same time. Overall, Bond provides a gorgeous comic book to look at throughout.

Vimanarama continues to be an appealing and entertaining read.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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'Buy this issue online now from X-WORLD and save!’ (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1675&cat=VIMANARAMA)

[Paul Shinn]

Totally agree with your review, James. Following on the back of WE3, both series' just go to show that there's still a lot that can be achieved in a 3-issue mini. This is both fun and entertaining, as well as being genuinely amusing, at times walking along the boundaries of pitch black humour - that final scene was, by turns, both shocking, as well as incredibly inventive. As almost the antithesis of Morrison's Seven Soldiers, in terms of length, and scope, this book still manages to be just as rewarding as that other series promises to be.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

y'know, i haven't even gotten to read this yet...but just knowing it exists in the world makes me a happier person. :)

[Jim Learning]

Grant Morrison's flirtation with Islamic (or is it Hinduistic?)
I would guess Hinduistic. But who listens to me? :P

It's also very funny. From Prince Ben Rama's ironic utterings of: "God! Pain. Ah God, the pain" when he is felled by a leaf
I found that funny too, but mainly because it reminded me of that issue of X-Statix when Guy Smith and Tony Stark duked it out.

[Jon Hancock]

It's definitely Hindu themes. No istic required (wow, who'd have thought my theology degree would be handy in a comic book review). Hindu = Many Gods. The religion was actually a term invented by English colonialists who were trying to group together all the varying religions within India into one understandable whole. Being Hindu then basically meant being Indian. Nowadays there's a lot of religious tension between the Islamic (one deity) and the Hindu populaces. Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim states that broke away from India. Thus concludes the lesson James :) Just a small point though, isn't the main character called Ali? Or is my memory playing tricks.

Love this series. Most fun series I've read in ages. So many fantastic moments showing the Bollywood influence. The stock characters, dance scenes, plot. All make a great read and a well researched comic.

I'd advise people who've never seen a Bollywood flick before to try and check one out before reading the final part (or the whole thing through again) You'll get so much more out of it.

Liked the review. Not sure about the comment saying it deals with immigration issues. I've not seen any of that at all beyond the fact that it's an Asian family living in England. That's hardly a rarity nowadays.