There’s something just utterly insane about this series and Eight Billion Genies #3 just amplifies it. In an instant, every person in the world gets a genie granting them one wish. You can imagine the chaos that follows as individuals wish away changing themselves, the world, reality, and more. The series focuses things down a bit on a group of individuals protected within a bar who have to figure out what to do next as the world around them constantly shifts.
Written by Charles Soule, Eight Billion Genies #3 is another fantastic issue. As happened in the previous issue, it opens showing us one of the wishes. It’s actually one of the more altruistic ones which is a stark contrast to so much that happens later in the issue.
But where this series has been amazing is the fact that it focuses on so few characters. Things are absolutely chaos in the world but we get a half dozen or so individuals hold up in a bar dealing with the change.
The issue veers off a bit focusing on Wang who has set off on a quest to get to the bar he and his wife originally wanted to go. We now know why and that story gets a bit deeper than was expected.
We also get to learn more about the rules of the world, such as wishing for the return of an individual. This has some pretty big ramifications for at least one wish already and that creates some intriguing decisions. By the end of the issue, we get an intriguing direction for the next arc of the series as the chaos expands and we get to see a “normal” begin to take shape.
The art by Ryan Browne continues to be great. With lettering by Chris Crank, the series has a kinetic feel that matches the insanity of the world. The story is not just driven by these individuals but all of the small details that are thrown onto every page and every panel. Those details tell as much of the story as anything else. What’s impressive is everything is completely insane but still feels grounded in a weird way. The team makes it work. Crank’s lettering adds the emotional punch that really brings home the moment.
Eight Billion Genies #3 is another fantastic issue of a series that has infinite possibilities. Literally, anything can happen. But, even with that, the team keeps things focused and don’t let their ideas get out of hand. So much is packed in but it’s never overwhelming or distracts. Each issue has been amazing at its focus and constraint while also delivering the unexpected.
Story: Charles Soule Art: Ryan Browne
Color: Ryan Browne Letterer: Chris Crank
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy