SE7EN – LUST Sin Issue #4
Written by Christian and Adam Beranek Art by Steven Perkins
There’s some deep pain in this issue focusing on “Lust”, and the emotion put into the story makes it the best book in the series. Along with a very stylized painting-look to the art from Steven Perkins, this tale of John Doe as a boy discovering the world of sex is both gripping and dramatically intense. Writers Christian and Adam Beranek lay it on thick for young John’s growing desires, and the story is told in a way that the reader feels sympathy for John, but also gives more depth to John’s struggles with the seven sins. They’re rooted here, John’s focal point in ridding the world of sin because this is where we see him fall victim to them. Especially lust, a common encounter amongst many teenagers. He’s uncomfortable, thanks to his mother and “uncle” exploring such desires in the other room while John spies on the girl next door. This is an amazingly well-written book, and I’m enthralled to witness everyone involved, including Tedesco and Brusha redeeming themselves here in the editing and story department, really deliver the product I wanted to see in this series. And the artwork, both different and surreal, is mesmerizing. Not because of the sexual content, but because of how it relates to the story’s tone. It’s dreamy, yet nightmarish in that it’s a state of flux for John Doe, and Perkins captures that confusion perfectly in his art. A great collaboration from everyone, and the standout book in the series. Definitely landing on my top 10 best for 2007.
GRADE: A+ HIGHLIGHT? John fights his lustful temptations, both past and present, but also relating back to his connection with the gluttonous fat man.
