American Virgin #1 *Spoilers*

[Eddie Lee]

Adam is leading a religious campaign for teen virginity. He's a virgin, and proud of it. He's also a sex symbol for groupies, who he turns away with a smile while leading them into his flock.

Earl and Mamie, his parents, are pretty darned proud of him. Earl is his stepfather and can't wait to get Adam on his ministry television show. Mamie, his birth mother, has other plans. She can see him reaching into the government, possibly heading towards President of the United States. And she sure don't want him ending up like his Uncle Wilton, ex-governor of Florida, who seemingly went down in a sex scandal.

But Adam is more worried about his girlfriend, Cass. She's away on a peace corps expedition to Africa, a country in current turmoil, and scheduled to return in a few days. And when she does, Adam plans to marry her and knock the boots.

Interrupting, however, are two assailants who kidnap Adam. They take him to a lonely room, tie him to a chair, and shed their ski-masks to reveal themselves to be his friend, Levi, and his brother (or so I think?). They've arranged a stripper for his bachelor party, who prompty goes to town on Adam. Summoning his virginal faith, Adam is able to sway the stripper away from him and escapes his embarrassing situation; much to the chagrin of his friends.

Adam visits his sister, Cyndi, to change clothes. He's due to appear on his stepfather's televsion show, and after the lapdance, looks in pretty rough shape. As he disappears into Cyndi's bathroom to change, a news report runs across the television. Adam is startled to see that Cass has been abducted by terrorists and beheaded, her body found in a ditch.

Adam's last words---"Fuck Me"

_____

I have to admit that this was a lot better than I expected it to be. I was completely drawn into the story from the first page. Adam's charisma drips off the page, and appears to be a very strong character.

The way he turns his groupies, and the stripper, were fantastic. I also liked his exchange with a man in a public restroom. Got a chuckle out of that.

And the last page... ? Have to admit I felt a bit kicked in the gut; experiencing a bit of Adam's surprise and pain. His final words echo as you close the book.

Definitely a recommended read, and another great start for a Vertigo book!

Thoughts?

[Andy S.]

I personally found it to be a dissapointing read. Mainly because all of the characters came off as laughable stereotypes. From Adam's simple-minded "God told me" dialogue to his phony televangelist mother and step-father, to the horny "goat-boy" brother, everybody was a caricature.

Adam is just too over-the-top with his virginity pledge thing. Everything that comes out of his mouth is like soggy mush written by someone who thinks they know how all youth pastor-types talk.

After reading this, I got the feeling that Seagle is really grinding an axe here against Christians. I don't understand why the idea of someone waiting until marriage is so offensive and worthy of ridicule, that the only way to present such a character in a book is to make him extremely simple-minded and out of touch. I dunno, maybe Seagle has something else in mind here.

I did enjoy Beck Cloonan's artwork, however. It was very stylish and well-suited for the story.

I'll probably give it another issue or two. I have to admit being intrigued by the ending, and I want to see where it goes. Or where Adam goes, rather.

[Sabrinaset]

Uhm, yeah. I'll have to agree with Andy there. I kinda haveta wonder if the only Christains Seagle knows are Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Jim Bakker. Really liked the cover, but I'm not sure if I'm gunna pick up the second issue.

[KAy]

After reading this, I got the feeling that Seagle is really grinding an axe here against Christians.

Funny, this was your post number 666. ;)

[Andy S.]

Funny, this was your post number 666. ;)


Ha! Didn't even notice.

[josh straightedge]

I liked it enough to get the next issue. Was better than I thought and I like Cloonan's art.

[onenatv]

I think it was solid but one comment I want to make. I don't think the kid 's really know what he's talkin about.
He said GOD told him he'll marry this girl, if GOD did, there's no way she 'd ended up dead. I know people like that, mistaken something else for the word of GOD. I don't know that this is the author intention or a misunderstanding on his part.

[stealthwise]

I think it was solid but one comment I want to make. I don't think the kid 's really know what he's talkin about.
He said GOD told him he'll marry this girl, if GOD did, there's no way she 'd ended up dead. I know people like that, mistaken something else for the word of GOD. I don't know that this is the author intention or a misunderstanding on his part.

A lot of people think that they know what God wants for them, but are mistaken right? Adam's probably not literally talking with God, like Jesse did in Preacher, or the Spectre does in the DCU.

[ryan_catcher]

I think it was solid but one comment I want to make. I don't think the kid 's really know what he's talkin about.
He said GOD told him he'll marry this girl, if GOD did, there's no way she 'd ended up dead. I know people like that, mistaken something else for the word of GOD. I don't know that this is the author intention or a misunderstanding on his part.

That was my thought about it too. I don't believe in much of anything, but I'm pretty sure when God says something's going to happen, it's going to happen.

He probably heard voices. Maybe this will steer into a superhero story?

[gary]

I think he means it in the same way that George Bush said God told him to invade Iraq - It was a case of praying for guidance and that was the impression he got afterwards

[Ryan Day]

I suspect that's the whole point of the series: Adam truly believes that God told him to wait and that he was meant to be with Cass. So what happens to his faith that doesn't happen?

[JimYung]

I thought it was a pretty good start. Adam obviously thinks he knows what god wants from him but now that his girlfriend is dead, it'll be interesting to see what happens to him. If you all are saying that Seagle is writing this with a critical eye towards Christians, it'll be interesting to see if Adam just goes hog wild or if he's able to stay true to his faith.

And I don't think it's the idea of waiting until marriage until someone loses their virginity that is so offensive, it's that Adam thinks he knows what is right for everyone else and will try to convert any and everyone to his way of thinking.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Uhm, yeah. I'll have to agree with Andy there. I kinda haveta wonder if the only Christains Seagle knows are Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Jim Bakker.

In the old House Of Secrets letter's page he mentioned once or twice somthing about a strong religous upbringing which was let down when it turned out the pastor was corrupt, and taking all the money to buy a car.

He came across as repectful to those with religous beliefs, but I think he just see's nothing wrong with taking the mickey out of people who take it all a little to seriously - or worse, act pompus about it.

[tangentman]

Jim and Funky nailed it--the story took shots at the smug Christians who try to dictate how others should live their lives. Adam is probably sincere about his beliefs, but also clearly seems rigid about them. From his audience to the stripper to the "black sheep" in his family, Adam pushes his choices onto them. Adam's hubris lies in his belief that he has ALL the answers. Hence, the "Fuck Me" at the end of the story; Adam didn't factor the possibility that Cass might NOT marry him into his decision. Tragic circumstances showed Adam that he ISN'T in control and that "God" might not be on the same page about his life path.

[RocketBoy]

Adam is just too over-the-top with his virginity pledge thing. Everything that comes out of his mouth is like soggy mush written by someone who thinks they know how all youth pastor-types talk.
It's funny. I was raised very Baptist, and he does sound like Youth Directors that I knew over the years... certainly not all of them sounded like that, but some did, especially when it came to all the True Love Waits programs. In an aside, I still consider myself religious, and I did not feel like the book was just an attack on Christians.

[onenatv]

I don't think this book's trying to attack Christianity at all but It does show us that some people use religions as a tool to make money. Adam's parents for the example.

[JimYung]

Adam's parents are going to be interesting. His father appears to be in it for nefarious reasons while his mother seems to want to push her own agenda. It would be nice to see someone (maybe another tv minister) who is in it with good motives to act as a counterpoint to Adam's parents. It would be too much of a stereotype to have both parents be Jerry Falwell types.

[noh-varr]

Adam's parents are going to be interesting. His father appears to be in it for nefarious reasons while his mother seems to want to push her own agenda. It would be nice to see someone (maybe another tv minister) who is in it with good motives to act as a counterpoint to Adam's parents. It would be too much of a stereotype to have both parents be Jerry Falwell types.

I like the idea. But both parents being corrupt makes sense, since they are together (though isn't that his step father?). Maybe his real father will show up and be a better person this his mother and step father?

I liked the issue and am waiting for more, the art was great and the story has me wanting to know more. Especialy has he now really has to face some questions of faith.

[Porcelain]

And I don't think it's the idea of waiting until marriage until someone loses their virginity that is so offensive, it's that Adam thinks he knows what is right for everyone else and will try to convert any and everyone to his way of thinking.
Agreed.

I can take the nth degree sterotyping in the support cast - if the series doesn't totally rely on them as plot motivations and if the themes involved are drawn intelligently into the story. The one thing that did irritate me about this issue was Adam's absolute self involvement, by the end of the issue there's no empathy because figurartively he seems to have received what he deserved. I get that this is the starting point of his story & the major arc is bound to be him moving past himself (& his petty issues) to find out what life's really about - but if I don't start giving a damn about him next issue, or if it doesn't pull together better, I won't be bothering with it any further. It's got Donnie Darko written all over it at the moment.

[Ayo]

I read the reviews before I read the issue and I sort of agree, sort of disagree.

I agree that the characters are cut from stereotypical cardstock. But I disagree that they are necessarily "bad" because of it. Especially since the characters in question are a satire OF those stereotypical people--you know the "XTREME" youth preachers and such.

Cass getting killed kind of sucked...I was really hoping that they would utilize her character to really extract some punishment out of Adam, because when they spoke on the telephone, she didn't seem to be on the same page as him (or was she somehow under attack at that moment?)

It just seems as though the lesson would have been better learned if she didn't end up seeing eye-to-eye with him rather than if she were "taken" from him.

We'll see how it goes.

[JimYung]

From what little we heard of the phone conversation between Cass and Adam, it seemed like Adam was only hearing what he wanted to hear, whereas Cass seems like she was trying to break it off with him or at least tell him that she'd found someone else. I wonder if they'll have Adam go to Africa or talk to the Peace Corps people to discover she wasn't the person he believed her to be.

The Fourth Rail had an interesting review where Don Macpherson totally loved the guy right from the beginning, whereas I didn't find him interesting until his girlfriend got her head chopped off.

[K'Nort]

From what little we heard of the phone conversation between Cass and Adam, it seemed like Adam was only hearing what he wanted to hear, whereas Cass seems like she was trying to break it off with him or at least tell him that she'd found someone else.

That's what it sounded like to me as well. So the beheading was a surprise.

Adam doesn't seem to actually listen to other people in general. Similar when he was backstage with his folks right after dealing with his brother.

[MarkSullivan]

From what little we heard of the phone conversation between Cass and Adam, it seemed like Adam was only hearing what he wanted to hear, whereas Cass seems like she was trying to break it off with him or at least tell him that she'd found someone else. I wonder if they'll have Adam go to Africa or talk to the Peace Corps people to discover she wasn't the person he believed her to be.

The Fourth Rail had an interesting review where Don Macpherson totally loved the guy right from the beginning, whereas I didn't find him interesting until his girlfriend got her head chopped off.
Maybe this is just me...but wasn't there some ambiguity about the identity of the murdered girl? I wasn't completely convinced that Adam knew it was Cass for sure. I agree there are interesting possibilities coming out of her phone call, whether she's alive or dead. I thought this issue took off like a rocket: something first issues should do, but often don't.

[Gaveedra 6]

Maybe this is just me...but wasn't there some ambiguity about the identity of the murdered girl? I wasn't completely convinced that Adam knew it was Cass for sure.
I'm of the belief that a body missing a head means that it's actually someone else's body. My theory is that his gf's murder will make Adam question his faith and get him embroiled in some sinfull stuff. Then she'll turn up alive and he'll be even more messed up by guilt.

I really like Adam's character alot. I love that he keeps all the notes he gets from fans trying to seduce him in a little secret box. Even the notes saying "if you ever decide to go gay..." :p

The art's beautiful too. Kinda like Paul Pope but simpler. Can't wait for the next issue.

[Ayo]

Oh shoot. You guys are right...it's Adam that jumps to that conclusion, the news said themselves that the victim wasn't identified.

Duh.

[JimYung]

I thought the newscast showed Cass' picture, which is why he jumps to the conclusion. It would still be pretty funny if Adam goes through an about face with his virginity only to find out that she staged her death because she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. I'll have to take a look at the ending again also, to see exactly what was said and shown.

[TheFourthRail]

The Fourth Rail had an interesting review where Don Macpherson totally loved the guy right from the beginning, whereas I didn't find him interesting until his girlfriend got her head chopped off.

"Totally loved the guy"? I wouldn't go that far. I perceive him to be a bit deluded, but I found it refreshing that there appeared to be a sincerity to him. His sexuality wasn't eliminated; in fact, he is shown to be subject to the same urges and desires as all of us. I just liked the character concept in the first issue.

Don MacPherson
www.thefourthrail.com

[Andy S.]

It would still be pretty funny if Adam goes through an about face with his virginity only to find out that she staged her death because she didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

LOL! He's so persistent that she had to resort to extreme measures...


It was kind of interesting to hear their phone conversations. She did sound like she didn't feel the same way about him, but there is more to it than that. Like, what was she doing over there?

Anyway.... I know the cover had a giant inflamed tongue that never made an appearance, but I'm still holding out hope that issue #2 will feature Adam getting chased by a ravenous leg-monster :)

http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=5149

If I don't see it, I'll be pissed.

[xrcst]

"Totally loved the guy"? I wouldn't go that far. I perceive him to be a bit deluded, but I found it refreshing that there appeared to be a sincerity to him. His sexuality wasn't eliminated; in fact, he is shown to be subject to the same urges and desires as all of us. I just liked the character concept in the first issue.

Don MacPherson
www.thefourthrail.com


I really enjoyed this series and I think the fact that he still faced the same urges we all do and he fought them back makes him an interesting character. And I absolutely loved the fact that the stripper backed off in light of his conviction. OUtside of the main character they kind of all look like stock characters, but that might be ok, we shall see.

I would like to see his faith shaken if his girlfriend is dead but still stay true to his beliefs but question them just the same. His reasons for keeping his virginity are valid to me even outside of religious reasons. Although the story would be pretty bland if every issue was someone trying to get him to have sex and he says no. But i guess that is the challenge for the writer, to tell an interesting story.

[Apathy Boy]

Wow. I had impossibly high expectations for this book, and I think Seagle and Cloonan completely supassed them. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed the first issue of a Vertigo book this much.

Complaints that the book is anti-Christian are unfair. The mother and step-father are caricatures, sure, but they're supposed to be. Adam, on the other hand, seems like a fairly three-dimensional and interesting character. The preachy aspects of the chacter are offset by some of his flaws, like his self-absorption.

(And really, why wouldn't he be self-absorbed when talking to his girlfriend? Despite the virginity pledge, he's still a red-blooded, 21-year-old male. So when he's talking to his girlfriend, you can be sure his dick's doing all the thinking.)

[twilight]

Becky Cloonan is amazing.

[Iraq_n_Roll]

This book supports "SOME" sterotypes, but all in all, I like the main character. There's something truly endearing about him...he seems to be genuine, I like that. Plus, we have Becky Cloonan.........god, I love her work and we both have the same taste in music (the crack rock steady punkrock, Choking Victim, Leftover Crack, Morning Glory, American Distress, who all, despite being atheist, write some of the most engaging and thought provoking lyrics in punk rock since Stiff Little Fingers and Screeching Weasel)

[aderechelsea]

liked it very much but the art was below mediocre.

i am really intrigued though to buy the next issue ....