A few good twists on a somewhat trope-filled take on what would really happen if someone was immortal. The story of the prehistoric warlord AjA Oba (John) and his is extraordinary life is a mashup of Conan the Barbarian, Wolverine, Forrest Gump, the Incredible Hulk and Captain America. A satisfying graphic epic short story. ( )

King AjA Oba and Queen Lewa are acknowledged across the African continent for their impressive political and military skills. But their kingdom is in jeopardy - the couple can't have an heir of their own. The King then kidnaps his son born to one of his mistresses, concubine, Obinrin. She curses AjA with the "gift" of immortality. After enjoying long, wonderful lives, both Queen Lewa and the prince both die. Seeing his vulnerability, enemy nations attack and kill the King - or so they think. King AjA survives the fatal attack, finally realizing the work of Obinrin's curse.

For decades, AjA wanders the world, mourning his lost loves and lives and searching for a new kingdom. His travels allow him to witness the trans-Atlantic slave trade, where he gets the new name of "John", the New World, both World Wars, and the American Civil Rights Movement. Once global technology brings intergalactic travel, the first contact with alien species happens, and then of course, intergalactic war. Thrust into it all, AjA (John) faces a decision on what will determine mankind's future.

OMG! I loved this graphic novel! Each page is it's own panel so you end up with 260 AMAZINGLY stunning full-color images! When I read through it I was so amazed. This is a unique experience addressing the issues of racism, classism, gender inequality, the advancement of technology. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys graphic novels and would like a unique experience. ( )

I read it in one sitting
I have no words...
Just read it for yourself and thank me later ( )

An angry and immortal warrior fights his way through the entirety of human history and beyond, inserting himself Forrest Gump-style into key moments, from the Middle Passage, through the Buffalo Soldiers and Harlem Hellfighters, to a future filled with spaceships and aliens. It's a little bit of Black Panther and a whole lot of Shaft. The art is the main draw here, filled with rage and cathartic release.

It's a graphic novel of sorts, told almost entirely in typeset text and usually in third person, but with the occasional first-person insert. Some pages have a lot of text, but most only have a sentence or two. The writing style is a bit too straightforward, too often unfolding in an "and then this happened next" style, but it's a picture book for adults really, so it's easy to flow along from image to image. ( )