James Sturm's America: God, Gold, and Golems

This sizable graphic novel collects three separate works by writer/artist James Sturm, each exploring a different (depressing) aspect of Americana. "The Revival" is the most hopeful of the three pieces, despite its macabre twists and unfortunate setting in a 19th-century religious gathering. "Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight" takes place at the end of the 19th-century, and tells the story of the grim happenings in a washed-out gold mine. It is entirely bleak and populated with thoroughly reprehensible characters. "The Golem's Mighty Swing", a look into a 1920's Jewish, barnstorming baseball team, is the best of the collection. The team - "The Stars of David" - is one of life's underdogs. Although terrific on the field, they're sleeping in the bus, playing multiple games every day, villianized by the local press, and constantly struggling to make ends meet. Although "Golem" shows a few flashes of hope (there's one surprisingly touching scene involving non-bitter small-town folks and a crate of apples), it is largely a story about a group of people, desperately struggling to do something they love, but slowly being ground down by reality. This is a terrific collection - especially the must-read "Golem" - which goes far in demonstrating how graphic novels can tell difficult and important stories

Three stories that show three totally different aspects of the American psyche. Though set in the past, they are as real today as they were then. One only has to watch the televangalists or the WWE to see these features alive and well. Bravo James Sturm for having the fortitude to tell these stories.