I'm not into American Virgin for the political and religious themes. I'm not into American Virgin for the mix of crime drama action and Third World war tragedy. I'm not into it for the conflict in youth culture. I am fascinated by American Virgin for one main reason: writer Steven T. Seagle has crafted a complex, interesting and compelling character as the title's flawed protagonist. The other afore-mentioned elements are gravy, and Becky Cloonan's frenetic artwork is nothing to sneeze at either. I don't know if American Virgin will hold my interest for the long haul, but I know that for now, it's something wholly original and engrossing.
Adam's whole world, his entire identity, has been destroyed by one news item, reporting that his girlfriend Cassie, the woman for whom he was destined to save his virginity, has been killed in Mozambique. Adam thought he had everything worked out, that he was special and that God was on his side thanks to his sacrifices. And now, Adam feels abandoned. He doesn't have time to dwell on it, though, as criminals are gunning for his sister, Cyndi. Adam's rage and pain and Cyndi's desperation lead them to fly to Africa, but as they make their way there, Adam discovers the answers he seeks aren't to be found.
Cloonan's art conveys the rage, despair and confusion on Adam's face with seeming ease. I love how from just looking at Adam's face and Cyndi's face, you can tell it's Adam's who's life is more devastated, even though it's Cyndi's life that's in actual jeopardy. Colorist Brian Miller really drives home Adam's disintegration by coloring his face entirely grey in a large closeup panel. That empty color says more about what he's feeling than the tears streaming down his face. The grey motif pops up again at the end of the book, employed to color a grim reality with which Adam must come to terms.
Seagle certainly can't be accused of telling this story at a slow or lazy pace. Adam's lost his girlfriend and perhaps his faith, been shot at, travelled across the ocean and ventured into a warzone, all in the course of a single issue. It should be too much for the reader, too over the top in terms of plotting, but somehow, it works. Ultimately, the reason this frenetic, almost impossible story clicks is because of the characters. Cyndi may be on the run from drug dealers, but her attitude sells her story. It's Adam's grief and confusion that make his decision to fly suddenly to Africa seem plausible.
What makes this issue so riveting is the realism of Adam's rage and confusion. He feels betrayed -- betrayed by God, by his family and even by Cassie, whom he perceives briefly as choosing the needy in Africa over him. He lashes out at handy targets, such as poverty-stricken children in Mozambique. He's reeling, trying to mourn Cassie while overwhelmed with more selfish thoughts as to what her death means to him, his beliefs and his crusade. I like that he still clings to those beliefs, though; virginity is still important to him, as we see in the scene with Kyle. Cyndi's comparison of violence and sex is an interesting one, and it says a lot about her background without overtly revealing what has happened to her in the past. 10/10
