Heaven, LLC
a graphic novel review by the novelly graphic D.J.

 
What if Heaven was a corporation? A business run like any other? Well, God would be CEO, of course, but he'd need a board of trustees, too, right? Jesus would be on it. Same with his earthly folks. And the Holy Spirit (can't forget her -- yep, "her"). And, just to keep things exciting, Lucifer. I mean, he and God go way back, right?

Wacky idea. Not mine, though. It comes from the warped mind of tastes like chicken publisher Insane Wayne Chinsang. He thought this nonsense up, wrote a movie script, and talked to his pal Dave Crosland about it. Dave's a comic artist and suggested to Wayne they make it into a comic book.

And those crazy bastards at Image Comics agreed to publish the thing.

The result is a mammoth, 144 page graphic novel. Heaven, LLC takes that crazy afterlife as a business concept and runs with it. The drama comes in that business isn't good. Heaven, LLC isn't getting the souls it used to. Oh yeah, and God's a boob with some severe ADD. After one particularly heated board meeting, he goes AWOL on earth. The result is a madcap comedy with Bible superstars searching the mortal plane looking for him. It's a little like Dogma meets Preacher meets The Fox and the Hound. I dunno. Maybe not that last one. But it's nuts. Witty, sacralicious dialogue and fun, cartoony art all in a handsome graphic novel package.

Heaven, LLC is bound to offend as many people as it entertains. I was, well, due to my churchy upbringing, mildly offended at times. Or at least shocked at some of the situations and characterizations. But I was much, much more entertained. If you dig comics but not the usual superhero fare, or if you just like good stories and art, Heaven, LLC is well worth checking out.

But, to paraphrase Reading Rainbow, don't take my word for it. Read the damn thing yourself!

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You may purchase Heaven, LLC online at amazon.com, tlc, or a whole bunch of other places. Your local bookstare can get their hands on it as well! Go hit 'em up!