Graphic Novel Review – The Sculptor by Scott McCloud (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Length: 496 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: February 3, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1596435735
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I have had this book on my wishlist for some time and was excited when I saw my local library had finally received it. This ended up being a very well done, if somewhat depressing graphic novel.

David was a successful young sculptor until one of his sponsors ruined his life. Now he has hit rock bottom. Then Death shows up to ask him a question “what would he give to be a successful sculptor?” When David responds that he would give his very life to be able to sculpt anything his wish is granted. David is given 200 days with the power to sculpt anything with his hands, at the end of that time he will die. Only he isn’t planning on meeting a quirky angelic girl and fall desperately in love with her.

This book was well done but a bit depressing. It’s an interesting look at a lot of different topics. Among those topics are New York City, the artistic community, young love, and mental disorders.

I found the story to be incredibly engaging and read the whole book in one sitting. The whole time you are wondering what David is going to do with his newfound talent and then you are wondering if he will find a way out of the whole deal with Death.

The story is best described as a tragedy, it’s pretty emotional and depressing at times. This isn’t one of those books you read to feel better about life that’s for sure.

The illustration style is more cartoony than I normally like and it is done in just a few colors. It’s okay but not the best illustration ever. The story ends up overpowering the illustration so that you don’t notice the style as much as the book continues.

Overall this was a very engaging and well done graphic novel. It’s a very emotional graphic novel and in the end the story definitely overpowers the art here. I enjoyed it and am glad I read it. However I wouldn’t recommend reading it when you are feeling down; it’s pretty depressing and definitely not a happy feel good type of read.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge