God's Dog is the first instalment in a series of graphic novels promised to the world by Jonathan Pageau and his brother Matthieu Pagrau. It begins telling the story of St. George and St. Christopher. Both of these saints lived at the start of the fourth century and both are known for being 'legendary'. Literally, both saints are surrounded by some impressive, 'cool' legends that capture the hearts and minds of generations of people.
The stories of these saints are rich in symbolism. Much folk-culture has been produced about them around the world, and it survives to this day, because their story is so rich in meaning. There is a lot of benefit in contemplating the stories that have been created over the centuries about these two saints.
The Pageau brothers have tried to write a graphic novel series that enjoys the awesomeness of these stories, that brings out the symbolism, and that attempts to an extent to interpret the symbolic meaning that makes these stories so gripping and timeless.
It is difficult of course for me to review the first instalment of a series because it is not a complete story in itself. It is more like the first chapter of a book, if you like. Nevertheless, this first book is very well made and if the rest follow suit we will end up with an excellent series. The book is short, and yet it brings out important aspects of the legend of St. George. In fact, although I have read and heard many version of St. George and the dragon, this little book has helped me to understand the story in a new profound way. The short conversation between Saint George and the princess whom he saves (this is my favourite part of the book) opens up a whole dimension that is overlooked by most tellings of the story.
I don't want to say too much and interfere with your own appreciation of the book. Simply I will say that this book (these books...) invites the reader to wrestle with fascinating and profitable concepts. It opens up new ways of reading the symbolism in these stories that is profound.
The pace of the story is also good. It keeps the reader interested throughout. The setting is charming. The book is unashamedly seated in traditional Christianity (which is refreshing) but it is not a simple and didactical book about the precepts of Christianity. This is an enjoyable story, with a lot to teach, for those who will enjoy some action in a late Roman Mediterranean setting.
The book is a little expensive to get, especially if you live outside the United States, however, I can unreservedly say that it is worth it.
