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A great pairing of ideas is much like a great pairing of anything in this world --- they need to work off each other, complimenting the parallels while accenting the differences. This is evident in the graphic novel THE DIVINE, which effortlessly pairs a tale of modern warfare with the mysteries of the ancient world. Prepare to be transported to a part of the world plagued by turmoil and protected by the legends of old.

This excellent pairing is also evident in the creative team behind this tale. Boaz Lavie is at the top of his game, penning a gripping story with the pace and flow of a well-planned script for the silver screen. Also helping with the creative development of THE DIVINE, in addition to providing the art, is the team of twins Asaf and Tomer Hanuka. Both excel in the wonderfully simple,yet dizzyingly complex style of early manga comics, with smooth edges and vibrant colors. The story plays out as one rooted in realism, but the art really shines when it goes off the rails and dips into the fantastical and grotesque.

"It is a true feat to craft a compelling story within the confines of a short graphic novel while giving enough space and energy for the art to speak for itself."

The reader is introduced to Mark, a father-to-be and technology expert employed by the government and C.I.A. and now based in Texas. Much like anyone about to embark on the journey of parenthood, his sights are set firmly on the future, vying for a promotion at his job to help relocate his family to a better place and better pay grade. But like all best laid plans, he doesn’t get exactly what he hoped for from his employer, and is approached by his friend Jason to take a “black ops” job in the remote country of Quanlom, near Vietnam. Jason is a typical mercenary who loves the thrill of the fight and doesn’t really care who’s right or wrong, as long as he gets paid. He’s been tasked to go into this war-torn country and blow up a mountain to gain the valuable resources within, and he knows that Mark is the most qualified to help him set the explosives.

Once in country, Mark meets a group of resistance fighters who are just kids, led by twin brothers Luke and Thomas. Luke is the de facto leader of the group, as his brother Thomas doesn’t talk much --- but Thomas seems to have some mysterious powers at his disposal. This is where the story turns slightly, introducing some cool mystical elements along with some surprising gore. The blood and guts sit beautifully on the page, adding to the rich tapestry the story has already laid down by this point. The reality of the world is played out in muted colors, making the vibrant ancient beings more alive when they finally show up. The art as a whole is full of raw emotion and wonderfully planned panel work that accents the film qualities the story offers up. Truly a collaborative piece all around from writer to artist and back.

It is a true feat to craft a compelling story within the confines of a short graphic novel while giving enough space and energy for the art to speak for itself. THE DIVINE does this so well that you forget that of the scenes you are witnessing exist only in fantasy. It is also a testament to the foundation of creative ideas, and how an outside inspiration can help shape a story. The creators of THE DIVINE were inspired by a famous photo by Apichart Weerawong of twin boys in the aftermath of guerilla warfare. Johnny and Luther Htoo were leaders of “God’s Army,” which fought back against the Burmese army in late 90s and early 2000s to reclaim their lands. Legends surrounded these boys, concerning their connections to an old world and its ancient powers. Drawing from this haunting photo, the brothers Hanuka and Boaz Lavie have created a tale all their own --- a mesmerizing, brutal journey from start to finish. Just like Mark, you might not be fully prepared for the adventure and the awakening of spirit found within these pages, but by its completion, THE DIVINE will linger with you.

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