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Seven Sons #1-7
Seven Sons
Nicolaus Balaak correctly predicted that on July 7, 1977, seven identical sons would be born to virgin mothers. Now, on their 21st birthday, one of these Seven Sons will be revealed as the new son of God and lead humanity into a golden age of morality, peace, and prosperity.
It's The Fugitive meets The Book of Revelation, as Delph breaks free from his sheltered life to uncover the truth behind the Church and find his place in the world before Judgement Day arrives.
Eisner Award winning artist JAE LEE returns to comics with his first new title since 1994!
Collects SEVEN SONS #1-7
It's The Fugitive meets The Book of Revelation, as Delph breaks free from his sheltered life to uncover the truth behind the Church and find his place in the world before Judgement Day arrives.
Eisner Award winning artist JAE LEE returns to comics with his first new title since 1994!
Collects SEVEN SONS #1-7
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 7, 2024
The main reason I purchased this in the single monthly issues and then saved them in order to read at one sitting was the return of Jae Lee to comics illustration (aside from covers). His work here is phenomenal, as always, and deserves further study.
The story by Windom and Mao is engaging and kept me turning the pages, but it fails to stick the landing. I'm assuming that SEVEN SONS is intended as social commentary on religion, faith, and the nature of God, but the writers seem to make their points general rather than specific, and often vague.
Readers can draw their own conclusions
The dominant religion in the story is built on tricks, illusions (and scientific advances) and is revealed to be selfish and its' actions driven by greed and self-perpetuation more than providing true hope and purpose to the masses. However, for me, portraying organized religion this way is like preaching to the choir. I've long held the belief that some (not all) religions are more interested in acting like corporations and enforcing their own "church laws" than they are in helping followers down a path that honors the Ten Commandments, or whatever ancient creed it was established upon.
Following upon those themes, SEVEN SONS showcases an alternate version of Earth (with quite different histories for President Jimmy Carter and Princess Diana, for example) where it appears that religious organizations across the globe have replaced governments. The writers don't elaborate on this (it could have been an interesting side-story) but keep it vague.
The "gifted" seven sons as portrayed by Lee are strange in appearance, pale and alien like. One criticism is that they look too much like each other, one of the things that made it difficult to empathize with any of them (although I did have a favorite).
This really deserves more than a Three-Star rating, but Goodreads doesn't provide for fractional rankings. I rate this 3.5 STARS.
The story by Windom and Mao is engaging and kept me turning the pages, but it fails to stick the landing. I'm assuming that SEVEN SONS is intended as social commentary on religion, faith, and the nature of God, but the writers seem to make their points general rather than specific, and often vague.
Readers can draw their own conclusions
The dominant religion in the story is built on tricks, illusions (and scientific advances) and is revealed to be selfish and its' actions driven by greed and self-perpetuation more than providing true hope and purpose to the masses. However, for me, portraying organized religion this way is like preaching to the choir. I've long held the belief that some (not all) religions are more interested in acting like corporations and enforcing their own "church laws" than they are in helping followers down a path that honors the Ten Commandments, or whatever ancient creed it was established upon.
Following upon those themes, SEVEN SONS showcases an alternate version of Earth (with quite different histories for President Jimmy Carter and Princess Diana, for example) where it appears that religious organizations across the globe have replaced governments. The writers don't elaborate on this (it could have been an interesting side-story) but keep it vague.
The "gifted" seven sons as portrayed by Lee are strange in appearance, pale and alien like. One criticism is that they look too much like each other, one of the things that made it difficult to empathize with any of them (although I did have a favorite).
This really deserves more than a Three-Star rating, but Goodreads doesn't provide for fractional rankings. I rate this 3.5 STARS.
August 9, 2023
A good discussion about faith. A showcase of corporate religion.
Read
March 22, 2023The scene is an alternate 1990s America; you can tell it's alternate from subtle clues like the line "Thanks to former two-term president Jimmy Carter for joining me tonight", and the impending visit from Queen Diana. What changed? The revelation that seven children born in 1977 were Jesi, and if nothing else, after reading a book about indexes recently, I do like seeing someone plump firmly for the Latin-style plural. Now, with the Millennium nearing, one of them is about to be revealed as the one true new Jesus...although the others do still have some powers and importance too? I think? But, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, the guy shepherding the whole circus around this, the Jesi's mouthpiece to the world...is a bit dodgy! Shock twist, right? And given the set-up, I'm not sure it even counts as a spoiler to reveal that yes, cloning was involved, making this the second cloned Jesus comic I've read from Image this year, and neither of them a patch on Cold War thriller Legacy Of The Shroud – which wasn't even good as such, but which I still remember 30+ years after reading it, something I'm pretty sure won't go for either Loaded Bible or this, even assuming both civilisation and I last that long. Anyway, this world isn't all bad – the Olympics have been abolished since the Jesi got a clean sweep in the last one – but overall it's leaning even more theocratic than our own timeline, though other faiths do exist. Initially we see this mainly through the determined attempts to take out the Jesi by a group called Allah's Watchmen, which I guess is at least a change from comics that talk very vaguely about 'extremists' without making clear what they're extreme versions of – but equally, when one of the Jesi goes rogue, we see that he's been exploring other faiths, by way of the subtle panel in which his quarters have a table marked ARCHIVE with a box on it, and then one marked BURN on which sits a pile reading Quran, Tanakh, Tao Te Ching, Vedas. Just that written on each spine, of course, as books famously look – and nothing else to offer any nuance or sense of character to the scene, no comics or horror novels or atheist books or owt. And in the outside world, the guide/moral compass he finds is a Muslim woman, whose dialogue is almost entirely lectures, which the writers seem to think is fine so long as people constantly remark on that. When asked how she's retained her faith in an increasingly hostile environment, she replies: "Historical prophets like Muhammad, Jesus, and Abraham were exemplars for mankind to aspire to. For over twenty years, the world has believed what it can see with its own eyes. I realized that, despite their miracles, the Seven took away people's need – their desire – to struggle and seek their own truth." Which is an innocuous enough platitude, so long as you nod and smile and don't stop to think about it for a moment, at which point you would realise yes, but all of those historical figures were also once walking the Earth, doing miracles for their first believers to behold, and in one case with temporal power on their side too, so actually there's no distinction bar distance, is there? Which laundry list of complaints makes it a good thing that I wasn't reading this for the writers, whose names I didn't recognise, let alone the premise, but the art – it's Jae Lee's first creator-owned interiors in years. Which means that yes, it has at least a certain visual elegance to make up for the clodhopping plot and script. Though even there, the luminous beauty I associate with his best work seems to have been somewhat lost in the sort of colour(less) palette which saps the life out of so much modern film and TV, and for some reason none of the Jesi seem to have eyebrows. I always thought he was meant to be without sin, not without those. Anyway, having slogged through all 200+ pages because it was intermittently pretty, the bastard thing ended by setting up a sequel. No ta.
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
March 31, 2023
That….that can’t be the end. IS IT?!?!? JESUS CHRIST. That was a hell of a ride I gotta say, and seeing Jae Lee’s art in app its splendor just made this that much better.
July 4, 2024
An interesting take on religion and the world in a science fiction way. My attention was kept thought out this one, but I don’t know if the ending was what I wanted it to be. And I’m not sure I’d continue if the series got another volume or a sequel. Definitely an interesting one to think about though.
December 31, 2024
Jae Lee never needs to get a credit on the books he works on because as soon as you see the art, you know. This one covered some fairly well tread ground but, largely because of Lee, it had a great feel to it all.
February 21, 2025
Ambientato in un mondo alternativo, parla di fede. Con un finale inaspettato e un Jae Lee fenomenale.
Ho amato molto questa storia.
Set in an alternate world, it's about faith. With an unexpected ending and a phenomenal Jae Lee.
I really loved this story.
Ho amato molto questa storia.
Set in an alternate world, it's about faith. With an unexpected ending and a phenomenal Jae Lee.
I really loved this story.
November 18, 2023
Interesting concept and, after some revelations, flirted with a trope-filled ending. Luckily it avoided it, but gave us something almost WTF. Even so, I lost sleep dreaming about the events in the last 2 chapters the night I read them. Just too weird and my mind must have tried to figure it all out.
April 3, 2023
Initially started reading this in single issues, but the nonlinear narrative was a bit too confusing to keep reading as monthly pickups. I originally wrote this series off; I had hoped to like it for the Jae Lee artwork, but the narrative was escaping me as I read these in single issues so I dropped the series.
Reading this in trade is definitely a more rewarding experience, though still not without some issues. Jae Lee hasn't missed a beat - his dynamic panel layouts and sharp, angular lines remain ever present in Seven Sons. That said, the colors aren't always doing his artwork favors, particularly when comparing the character designs of the titular seven sons who all looks alike despite the efforts made to change their character designs. The muddy color palette looks good at times, but other times the artwork is a challenge to decipher. But as sequential artwork goes, the storytelling is absolutely kinetic and the action sequences, which are aplenty, are easy enough to follow.
The narrative is also decent enough. In a way, Seven Sons presents itself as a critique on religious fervor and how it is so readily incorporated into nationalism. The world, as portrayed in this comic, is amidst a religous awaking following the simultaneous birth of seven identical children born to seven virgin mothers all across the world. These seven sons are hailed as the prophets in the making and a new wave of Christian fervor spreads across the planet. Delph, one of these seven sons, serves as the main protagonist of the series and it's through his eyes that we learn there are some hijinks at play. Confronting the seven sons is an Islamic fundamentalist group. I'm a bit conflcted on whether this is problematic or not, though the comic does present a sympathethic Muslim character as one of Delph's major allies. Aside from that, the comic spends most of its time depicting America's decline into fascism under the veil of Christian nationalism.
As a form of critique on organized religion, Seven Sons probably achieves more than other comics that have made similar attempts, but it's also not something I would say would make anyone rethink any positions. Mostly the satire and commentary is part of the story backdrop and less of an underlying theme. The story does suffer in its ending, as I found it quite unsatisfying as it sets up a sequel. It's not something that makes me dislike the comic, but it did feel like an unnecessary brake to a series that had some nice momentum going for it through the middle issues.
Overall, this is a recommendation to fans of Jae Lee's works, since this remains a strong exhibition of his artistic capabilities. The story is pretty good and also unique enough to merit a look into for those curious, but also not a comic that will likely be remembered in a few months time.
Reading this in trade is definitely a more rewarding experience, though still not without some issues. Jae Lee hasn't missed a beat - his dynamic panel layouts and sharp, angular lines remain ever present in Seven Sons. That said, the colors aren't always doing his artwork favors, particularly when comparing the character designs of the titular seven sons who all looks alike despite the efforts made to change their character designs. The muddy color palette looks good at times, but other times the artwork is a challenge to decipher. But as sequential artwork goes, the storytelling is absolutely kinetic and the action sequences, which are aplenty, are easy enough to follow.
The narrative is also decent enough. In a way, Seven Sons presents itself as a critique on religious fervor and how it is so readily incorporated into nationalism. The world, as portrayed in this comic, is amidst a religous awaking following the simultaneous birth of seven identical children born to seven virgin mothers all across the world. These seven sons are hailed as the prophets in the making and a new wave of Christian fervor spreads across the planet. Delph, one of these seven sons, serves as the main protagonist of the series and it's through his eyes that we learn there are some hijinks at play. Confronting the seven sons is an Islamic fundamentalist group. I'm a bit conflcted on whether this is problematic or not, though the comic does present a sympathethic Muslim character as one of Delph's major allies. Aside from that, the comic spends most of its time depicting America's decline into fascism under the veil of Christian nationalism.
As a form of critique on organized religion, Seven Sons probably achieves more than other comics that have made similar attempts, but it's also not something I would say would make anyone rethink any positions. Mostly the satire and commentary is part of the story backdrop and less of an underlying theme. The story does suffer in its ending, as I found it quite unsatisfying as it sets up a sequel. It's not something that makes me dislike the comic, but it did feel like an unnecessary brake to a series that had some nice momentum going for it through the middle issues.
Overall, this is a recommendation to fans of Jae Lee's works, since this remains a strong exhibition of his artistic capabilities. The story is pretty good and also unique enough to merit a look into for those curious, but also not a comic that will likely be remembered in a few months time.
March 17, 2023
It's the second coming – and it would have been a lot more special if plans had gone right. But when a generation ago each continent had a virgin birth – of a needlessly pale-skinned hermaphroditic kind of kid each time – it woke the Islamists up, and they've killed a few of them off. Seven sons are now down to one – or rather one and the whole guru and entourage and media profile and million-seat stadium where Las Vegas used to be that comes with the job of getting godlike.
Actually, a lot of this book has it that there is more than one of the seven, which is part of the issues here. This jumps about its timeline like I don't know what – someone at the wedding at Cana, perhaps. We're following people that are dead, people that want people dead, people that want the murderous people put to rights, and so on. So the core of the book ends up being a reasonably distinctive way of doing the People Against Lots of Other Lots of People kind of plot, which of course features in the history of so many religions, but it doesn't make for an incredibly welcome read.
Another thing will be a matter of taste, for the creators certainly have a thing about odd frames. Gutters go here and there with more angles than the crown of thorns, and while it cleverly made for kinetic-looking pages, and more places to stuff the lettering into random angles and still leave the imagery clear, it didn't float my boat – and with too many images that remained at the "who and what is that?!" levels of clarity, I didn't favour the look of this at all.
All told it's never sinfully bad, and I can see some people taking much more to the discussion of free will, the ceremony of religion, the way certain monotheistic religions may or may not want to be the sole cult over and above all the others, but I cannot even get it to the three stars in my estimation. So two and a half it remains, and forever shall it be thus.
Actually, a lot of this book has it that there is more than one of the seven, which is part of the issues here. This jumps about its timeline like I don't know what – someone at the wedding at Cana, perhaps. We're following people that are dead, people that want people dead, people that want the murderous people put to rights, and so on. So the core of the book ends up being a reasonably distinctive way of doing the People Against Lots of Other Lots of People kind of plot, which of course features in the history of so many religions, but it doesn't make for an incredibly welcome read.
Another thing will be a matter of taste, for the creators certainly have a thing about odd frames. Gutters go here and there with more angles than the crown of thorns, and while it cleverly made for kinetic-looking pages, and more places to stuff the lettering into random angles and still leave the imagery clear, it didn't float my boat – and with too many images that remained at the "who and what is that?!" levels of clarity, I didn't favour the look of this at all.
All told it's never sinfully bad, and I can see some people taking much more to the discussion of free will, the ceremony of religion, the way certain monotheistic religions may or may not want to be the sole cult over and above all the others, but I cannot even get it to the three stars in my estimation. So two and a half it remains, and forever shall it be thus.
March 18, 2023
According to Nicolaus Balaak's book "The Book Of The Seven Sons" seven identical boys will be born in 1977 to virgin mothers, and on the day of their 21st birthdays, one of the boys would ascend to the throne as the son of God, bringing humanity universal peace and order.
The stunning covers by Korean-American comics artist Jae Lee were what initially captivated me to this series. Without having read the synopsis, I went into the book blind. Because of the first illustration's extensive level of detail, I spent nearly 15 minutes on the first page. Both Lee and Colorist June Chung's work was outstanding. This graphic novel's panels depart from the usual square and rectangle shapes in an appealing way. Some people did not like this but I found it stunning.
This book's plot significantly incorporates elements of both Islam and Christianity. If you're not into religion, you've been warned.
The stunning covers by Korean-American comics artist Jae Lee were what initially captivated me to this series. Without having read the synopsis, I went into the book blind. Because of the first illustration's extensive level of detail, I spent nearly 15 minutes on the first page. Both Lee and Colorist June Chung's work was outstanding. This graphic novel's panels depart from the usual square and rectangle shapes in an appealing way. Some people did not like this but I found it stunning.
This book's plot significantly incorporates elements of both Islam and Christianity. If you're not into religion, you've been warned.
October 3, 2024
My main lure for this, was Jae Lee, as I loved his work on Dark Tower series. Unfortunately, art here is hasty, more like pre production sketches than finished piece. Strange paneling, where many pages are composed as some broken shards, doesn't help either. Sometimes it's hard to figure out reading order and whole scene is chaotic and flow is disturbed. Also some of the panels are quite tiny, so it's tricky to figure out, what is happening there.
From story point of view, this is something that will appeal more to US audience, as cult, self made leaders and churches and congregations established as money making companies are more their thing. Book is forming kind of a loop, starting just few moments before the ending, and then jumping retrospectively here and there. Sometimes it's hard to follow which son is which and where are we at the moment. Strange ending, that supposed to be mind blowing I guess, it's quite strange, as there is no actual path created for it in whole story. Or maybe I just didn't get it... 2.5*
From story point of view, this is something that will appeal more to US audience, as cult, self made leaders and churches and congregations established as money making companies are more their thing. Book is forming kind of a loop, starting just few moments before the ending, and then jumping retrospectively here and there. Sometimes it's hard to follow which son is which and where are we at the moment. Strange ending, that supposed to be mind blowing I guess, it's quite strange, as there is no actual path created for it in whole story. Or maybe I just didn't get it... 2.5*
February 1, 2024
This could have been a solid 4 but for a few holes and the completely pointless cliffhanger ending. Actually, I could disregard the holes if not for the final two pages of the comic, which try to force a Twilight Zone meets David Lynch kind of ending - BADLY.
Other than that, the comic is well-written and quite the study and critique on corporate religion made in US, such as mega-churches, widespread fanaticism and hypocrisy. It is not realistic as a conspiracy, but that's OK - it's a comic that uses hyperbole to illustrate quite common problems in an intriguing way.
Other than that, the comic is well-written and quite the study and critique on corporate religion made in US, such as mega-churches, widespread fanaticism and hypocrisy. It is not realistic as a conspiracy, but that's OK - it's a comic that uses hyperbole to illustrate quite common problems in an intriguing way.
May 12, 2025
¡Que pedazo de historia!
Un tipo escribe un libro anunciando que el 7/7/1977 nacerían 7 niños de mujeres vírgenes y uno de ellos sería el Jesús, la segunda venida que se revelaría 21 años después.
El día de la revelación ha llegado y solo hay 3 jóvenes que han sobrevivido a ataques terroristas, pero solo uno de ellos será el nuevo hijo de Dios.
Mezcla de Teología, religión (es), misterios, complots y algo de gore.
Me encantó.
Un tipo escribe un libro anunciando que el 7/7/1977 nacerían 7 niños de mujeres vírgenes y uno de ellos sería el Jesús, la segunda venida que se revelaría 21 años después.
El día de la revelación ha llegado y solo hay 3 jóvenes que han sobrevivido a ataques terroristas, pero solo uno de ellos será el nuevo hijo de Dios.
Mezcla de Teología, religión (es), misterios, complots y algo de gore.
Me encantó.
May 15, 2024
No me ha parecido el mejor trabajo de Jae Lee y la historia me parece un más de lo mismo, algo que ya hemos visto en otras ocasiones: una corporación que trata de instaurar a un falso mesías, y todo eso. Nada nuevo. Solo escapa algunas reflexiones sobre la religión y la cultura de masas. Por lo demás, decepcionante en todos los aspectos.
June 1, 2023
This is one wild ride! With Jae Lee's art, I'm like Hell Yes! I might think that this might ruffle some feathers, but it is a wild, yet strange, yet poignant tale!
July 16, 2023
A thought provoking masterpiece with mouth watering artwork. A very interesting breeze of fresh air in the world of comics.
July 16, 2023
The art’s nice
July 22, 2023
All art no story
August 17, 2023
A little confusing at times but a great story. Amazing art. Fucked up imagery.
November 13, 2023
“Would you help me free the world from the church’s gilded cage of deception?”
November 22, 2023
Boy is it nice to see Jae Lee do a whole book.
April 14, 2025
Last two frames sort of ruined the vibe for me, but all before that was quite great.
April 20, 2025
Its ok
It's was ok. It was kind of boring. The ending was a bit weak. Had there been a Vol.2, the ending would be better but the art was good. Not much else to say.
It's was ok. It was kind of boring. The ending was a bit weak. Had there been a Vol.2, the ending would be better but the art was good. Not much else to say.
July 19, 2025
I had no idea what was going on half the time.
August 29, 2025
3.25☆
September 22, 2025
An alternate Earth where 7 sons were born in 1977, one of which is slated to be the return of Jesus. This religion of the Seven Sons seem to have overtaken the U.S. government. Meanwhile an extremist Islamic group is continuously attempting to kill the Sons. Of course, things on both sides are shady and not what they seem. I think part of my problem with the book is that absolutely no one is interesting and worth rooting for. I'd rather they all lose. The big draw here really is the return of Jae Lee on interior art.
May 6, 2024
3,5⭐️
Sujets de fond interessants, on est sur une critique plus ou moins deguisée de la société, des croyances religieuses, de l'endoctrinement avec tout ses aspects liés aux manipulations des plus simples au plus grosses (quand tout un etat s'y donne à coeur joie😅).
Et meme si j ai apprecié l'histoire pour ses thematiques, le decoupage, les allers retours dans le passé m'ont agacé quand meme un peu.
Si l'on est deja fan de l'artiste Jae Lee, je pense que l'on appreciera les dessins (en plus, il y a toute une galerie à la fin du comics où quelques dessins exclusifs sont partagés) parce que soyons honnetes c'est particulier quand meme.
En bref, pour une premiere excursion dans l'univers de Jae Lee, je dirais pas mal.
Sujets de fond interessants, on est sur une critique plus ou moins deguisée de la société, des croyances religieuses, de l'endoctrinement avec tout ses aspects liés aux manipulations des plus simples au plus grosses (quand tout un etat s'y donne à coeur joie😅).
Et meme si j ai apprecié l'histoire pour ses thematiques, le decoupage, les allers retours dans le passé m'ont agacé quand meme un peu.
Si l'on est deja fan de l'artiste Jae Lee, je pense que l'on appreciera les dessins (en plus, il y a toute une galerie à la fin du comics où quelques dessins exclusifs sont partagés) parce que soyons honnetes c'est particulier quand meme.
En bref, pour une premiere excursion dans l'univers de Jae Lee, je dirais pas mal.
January 13, 2024
Original enough to keep me reading for seven numbers. You can't deny the originality of the work, but it doesn't get thrilling at any point. The characters are flat and predictable. But, by the end, the plot becomes too solemn and twisted. I'm not even sure about what the authors were trying to tell with this story.
The world-building is undeniably original, but as the numbers advance it becomes a bit tedious and too exaggerated. The artwork is original and often a bit disturbing.
The world-building is undeniably original, but as the numbers advance it becomes a bit tedious and too exaggerated. The artwork is original and often a bit disturbing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews