What do you think?
Rate this book
27: Twenty-Seven #1
27, Volume 1: First Set
The dark mysteries of rock and roll royalty's "27 Club" are revealed in this collection of the hit series. All the twists, all the action, all the weirdness, in one beautiful package! Full of extras, including an all-new, 12-page backup story, it's the most exciting thing to hit since the Beatles at Budokan!
Collects 27 #1-4.
Collects 27 #1-4.
136 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2011
2 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Charles Soule
1,515 books1,667 followersCharles Soule is a #1 New York Times-bestselling novelist, comics author, screenwriter, musician, and lapsed attorney. He has written some of the most prominent stories of the last decade for Marvel, DC and Lucasfilm in addition to his own work, such as his comics Curse Words, Letter 44 and Undiscovered Country, and his original novels Light of the Jedi, The Endless Vessel, The Oracle Year and Anyone. He lives in New York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 20, 2017
Rock star Will Garland damages his hand and can’t play guitar anymore. Desperate for a cure, he seeks out a mad scientist with a demented plan to harness the power of 9, a number representing creativity itself, to somehow fix Will’s hand. Except things go wrong and the 9 set out to kill him instead!
Uhh… no. I like a lot of Charles Soule’s earlier comics before he went to shit at Marvel but Twenty-Seven is not one of his better efforts. Everything from the premise - something about rock stars like Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain dying at 27 - to the convoluted plot development was sketchy and failed to make sense. Unsurprising though given numerology in general is one big crock!
Then suddenly he can teleport somehow and there’s a contrived hostage situation at the end where he can use his newfound powers - it wasn’t good. Renzo Podesta’s murky, blocky and hideous art is also among the worst I’ve seen in a mainstream comic.
I like that it’s similar to a lot of Soule’s early comics in that it’s an unusual, ambitious and imaginative story but, unlike books like Strange Attractors and Strongman, Twenty-Seven just doesn’t come together.
Uhh… no. I like a lot of Charles Soule’s earlier comics before he went to shit at Marvel but Twenty-Seven is not one of his better efforts. Everything from the premise - something about rock stars like Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain dying at 27 - to the convoluted plot development was sketchy and failed to make sense. Unsurprising though given numerology in general is one big crock!
Then suddenly he can teleport somehow and there’s a contrived hostage situation at the end where he can use his newfound powers - it wasn’t good. Renzo Podesta’s murky, blocky and hideous art is also among the worst I’ve seen in a mainstream comic.
I like that it’s similar to a lot of Soule’s early comics in that it’s an unusual, ambitious and imaginative story but, unlike books like Strange Attractors and Strongman, Twenty-Seven just doesn’t come together.
October 30, 2015
Un verdadero embole que solo se salva por los dibujos de Podestá y por una escena en la que aparece Jim Morrison.
Los personajes no tienen profundidad, los diálogos son lastimosos, la historia ya fue contada miles de veces con otras variantes. En fin...
La traducción no ayuda en absoluto y hay errores gramaticales bastante groseros.
En fin, comic olvidable.
Los personajes no tienen profundidad, los diálogos son lastimosos, la historia ya fue contada miles de veces con otras variantes. En fin...
La traducción no ayuda en absoluto y hay errores gramaticales bastante groseros.
En fin, comic olvidable.
January 14, 2021
actual rating: 2.5
This was okay but I know that Soule can do better than this and the art style was fairly ugly as well. Doing something with the '27 Club' thing is an interesting concept but I felt like this devolved way too quickly into trying to make every single number ever come out to being about the number 9 in some way and it just got exhausting after awhile, maybe because I know conspiracy nuts like that in real life who are currently trying to use numerology to 'prove' political conspiracies [my biggest eyeroll ever]. Anyway, after the fifth time that someone went on a huge rant explaining how a bunch of random numbers added up to 9 I was like okay can we get to something more interesting now? The contraption on his chest is interesting and I like the idea of him getting a different kind of creativity from it each time and what he chooses to do with that, but it doesn't necessarily override the annoying numerology and the subpar art. I will probably read the second volume just to see where else he takes this but it's nowhere near as good as something like Curse Words.
This was okay but I know that Soule can do better than this and the art style was fairly ugly as well. Doing something with the '27 Club' thing is an interesting concept but I felt like this devolved way too quickly into trying to make every single number ever come out to being about the number 9 in some way and it just got exhausting after awhile, maybe because I know conspiracy nuts like that in real life who are currently trying to use numerology to 'prove' political conspiracies [my biggest eyeroll ever]. Anyway, after the fifth time that someone went on a huge rant explaining how a bunch of random numbers added up to 9 I was like okay can we get to something more interesting now? The contraption on his chest is interesting and I like the idea of him getting a different kind of creativity from it each time and what he chooses to do with that, but it doesn't necessarily override the annoying numerology and the subpar art. I will probably read the second volume just to see where else he takes this but it's nowhere near as good as something like Curse Words.
September 6, 2021
That last panel was beautiful
August 27, 2011
Fairly solid dark fantasy/supernatural tale. Due to a neurological disease inflicting his hand, a famous Rock & Roll guitarist has lost his ability to play guitar. He seeks out a bizarre doctor mixing technology and dark magic, leaving our hero with a strange device implanted in his chest. When activated the device gives him three hours of creative brilliance/power---only trouble is it can only be used 27 times and when it runs out our hero dies.
Playing off the old "rock star dead at 27 myth" and Robert Johnson meeting the devil at the crossroads, there's a really interesting world here and I feel like we are really just scratching the surface with the first four issues collected here. I was expecting some more solid ties to the music, but otherwise I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing where this goes.
Playing off the old "rock star dead at 27 myth" and Robert Johnson meeting the devil at the crossroads, there's a really interesting world here and I feel like we are really just scratching the surface with the first four issues collected here. I was expecting some more solid ties to the music, but otherwise I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing where this goes.
June 17, 2013
I feel like everything edgy in the story has been done before and to better effect in other books. The main character was annoying and the characters were flat, especially the women. However, the artwork was really interesting throughout and the bonus story about Robert Johnson at the end redeemed it somewhat.
May 29, 2016
This was different than I expected. The art is horrible and the story is too farfetched.
June 30, 2019
(This review was originally published by GraphicNovelReporter.com on July 2, 2012)
One of the most enduring legends of rock and roll is the “27 Club,” so called because of the string of influential rock and blues musicians who died at the age of 27. Their members include Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Robert Johnson, among many others, including most recently Amy Winehouse. The fact that this coincidence unites so many fallen rockers intones a certain level of the sinister, creating a mysterious mythology that lends itself perfectly for the thriller/horror genre, and, thankfully, Charles Soule delivers the goods.
There is an age-old adage that states simply "write what you know." As both a musician and comic book writer, Soule is well-equipped to craft a story built off the legacy of the 27 Club's members, paying homage to their art and craft. It's a story filled with tidbits of information, like a brief history of musicians who lost their ability to play and fought to regain their talents, and knowledge only truly devoted music lovers could appreciate, such as a brief aside to snorting ants off the sidewalk (an incident Ozzy Osbourne became notorious for, and a lesson to others that he is more than capable of upstanding all of us).
Will Garland is a rock star who has lost his way. At the age of 27, his left hand—his fret board hand—turned against him and left him suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a disease that crippled him with pain and left him unable to play guitar and addicted to painkillers. He has searched the world over looking for a cure, eventually finding a doctor who promises salvation. The only catch, as it turns out, is that it requires him to sell his soul. What he receives is an odd implant buried in his chest, a metal plate of knobs and switches that grant him 27 chances at redemption.
The art by Renzo Podesta is wonderfully stylistic and beautifully colored. His panels feature a welcome layer of texture that give the scenes a feel of lived-in depth, and his rustic palette of browns and yellows suitably captures the dark tones of the story Soule is crafting. His character designs are well crafted, and the character of Scratch, a shadowy devil who barters for souls, is simplistic but evocative.
The 27: First Set trade collects the entirety of the four-issue miniseries, along with an additional bonus story, "Crossroads Blues." A beautiful homage to blues musician Robert Johnson, "Crossroads" is inspired by the Faustian legend surrounding his amazing talent and his death at the age of 27. Soule sticks close to the historical record, right down to Johnson's death in the company of a woman and whiskey. Although brief, it really is a terrific piece of fiction that nicely blends fact with supernatural speculation, while also expanding upon the mythology Soule is building with this series.
Equally impressive is the inclusion of original cover art by W. Scott Forbes. When it ran as a monthly, 27 featured art inspired by iconic images of the 27 Club. In each, Garland struck a pose in the persona of notable, instantly recognizable rock legends. Forbes' artwork on each is striking and helps to solidify the historical connections Soule is inspired by and infatuated with, providing another layer of richness to the story's proceedings.
27: First Set is, quite clearly, an ode of love to the rock and roll genre. It is thick with historical anecdotes and music's most persistent mythologies. Not content to simply write a story about just musicians, Charles Soule takes the story one step further, incorporating crazy shamans, ghosts, a Jim Morrison spirit guide, demons, and numerology, all while musing over the nature of talent versus gift. There is a lot happening in this book, and it's best approached in a slow fashion in order to allow the ideas to percolate and, just as important, to appreciate Podesta's art work and the amazing scenery he creates. Soule closes the door on First Set with a satisfying, hopeful note, but leaves it ready to be kicked wide open for a second set sometime soon (but not quite soon enough).
One of the most enduring legends of rock and roll is the “27 Club,” so called because of the string of influential rock and blues musicians who died at the age of 27. Their members include Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Robert Johnson, among many others, including most recently Amy Winehouse. The fact that this coincidence unites so many fallen rockers intones a certain level of the sinister, creating a mysterious mythology that lends itself perfectly for the thriller/horror genre, and, thankfully, Charles Soule delivers the goods.
There is an age-old adage that states simply "write what you know." As both a musician and comic book writer, Soule is well-equipped to craft a story built off the legacy of the 27 Club's members, paying homage to their art and craft. It's a story filled with tidbits of information, like a brief history of musicians who lost their ability to play and fought to regain their talents, and knowledge only truly devoted music lovers could appreciate, such as a brief aside to snorting ants off the sidewalk (an incident Ozzy Osbourne became notorious for, and a lesson to others that he is more than capable of upstanding all of us).
Will Garland is a rock star who has lost his way. At the age of 27, his left hand—his fret board hand—turned against him and left him suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a disease that crippled him with pain and left him unable to play guitar and addicted to painkillers. He has searched the world over looking for a cure, eventually finding a doctor who promises salvation. The only catch, as it turns out, is that it requires him to sell his soul. What he receives is an odd implant buried in his chest, a metal plate of knobs and switches that grant him 27 chances at redemption.
The art by Renzo Podesta is wonderfully stylistic and beautifully colored. His panels feature a welcome layer of texture that give the scenes a feel of lived-in depth, and his rustic palette of browns and yellows suitably captures the dark tones of the story Soule is crafting. His character designs are well crafted, and the character of Scratch, a shadowy devil who barters for souls, is simplistic but evocative.
The 27: First Set trade collects the entirety of the four-issue miniseries, along with an additional bonus story, "Crossroads Blues." A beautiful homage to blues musician Robert Johnson, "Crossroads" is inspired by the Faustian legend surrounding his amazing talent and his death at the age of 27. Soule sticks close to the historical record, right down to Johnson's death in the company of a woman and whiskey. Although brief, it really is a terrific piece of fiction that nicely blends fact with supernatural speculation, while also expanding upon the mythology Soule is building with this series.
Equally impressive is the inclusion of original cover art by W. Scott Forbes. When it ran as a monthly, 27 featured art inspired by iconic images of the 27 Club. In each, Garland struck a pose in the persona of notable, instantly recognizable rock legends. Forbes' artwork on each is striking and helps to solidify the historical connections Soule is inspired by and infatuated with, providing another layer of richness to the story's proceedings.
27: First Set is, quite clearly, an ode of love to the rock and roll genre. It is thick with historical anecdotes and music's most persistent mythologies. Not content to simply write a story about just musicians, Charles Soule takes the story one step further, incorporating crazy shamans, ghosts, a Jim Morrison spirit guide, demons, and numerology, all while musing over the nature of talent versus gift. There is a lot happening in this book, and it's best approached in a slow fashion in order to allow the ideas to percolate and, just as important, to appreciate Podesta's art work and the amazing scenery he creates. Soule closes the door on First Set with a satisfying, hopeful note, but leaves it ready to be kicked wide open for a second set sometime soon (but not quite soon enough).
February 1, 2018
A deserted crossroads of two dirt roads in Mississippi, a musician seeks the easy way out and sell his soul to the devil for the ability to play music. It’s a typical story you’ve heard before. But with a slight twist by the devil outsourcing it two other demons of some sort.
From what I can tell, this has nothing to do with the regular comic series 27. But this little short comic is well done. The artistry is awesome, I am absolutely in love with it! It’s gorgeous. I wish more comics were drawn like this.
The story line is kinda basic and a take off of old wives tales of some of the blues masters from the 20’s and 30’s selling their souls to make music. But it’s well written with a slight twist. Although I’m not sure who those two other demons are, it doesn’t explain unfortunately.
It is DRM Free!
From what I can tell, this has nothing to do with the regular comic series 27. But this little short comic is well done. The artistry is awesome, I am absolutely in love with it! It’s gorgeous. I wish more comics were drawn like this.
The story line is kinda basic and a take off of old wives tales of some of the blues masters from the 20’s and 30’s selling their souls to make music. But it’s well written with a slight twist. Although I’m not sure who those two other demons are, it doesn’t explain unfortunately.
It is DRM Free!
July 26, 2019
Fffft. Two feels generous but there’s a kernel of an interesting story here even if it is buried behind indifferent art and some deeply stodgy and awkward storytelling. As a rule of thumb, if you have a character called Hargrave Swinthe in your book with no discernible irony then it’s almost certainly going to be a bit shit and lo and behold...
April 12, 2020
For what constitutes the first three issues, this is a five-star book -- imaginative, philosophical, whimsical, fun. Then issue four was the domain of the movie producers, those guys who come in and make you tie up the story in a neat, pat package. Too bad about that. I'm still interested to read the second set, just disappointed how this one wrapped up.
April 16, 2018
I loved the story but some of the panels made me think I'd skipped over something?
November 15, 2018
Almost interesting but doesn't really pull things together.
December 20, 2018
Phenomenal concept, great art, mediocre execution
December 18, 2019
A nice throwback to Vertigo titles of the 90s. If you enjoyed this you might enjoy Lewis Shiner's Glimpses and Deserted Cities of the Heart.
May 15, 2023
I recently read another graphic novel with art by Renzo Podesta. I saw we had this in library collection. It was interesting.
July 6, 2011
Pretty good collection of the Image series 27 which details out the supernatural powers a musician gets when he loses use of his hand and seeks out a way to regain his ability to play. More a supernatural anti-hero book than music, but it's heavily steeped in rockstar legend and has lots of fun factoids. Def a good looking comic but the story is just really an opening act.
June 20, 2012
I really love the illustration style of this series. The second volume definitely improves on the first
July 18, 2017
Good concept- just weirdly executed.
April 5, 2014
I expected to like this a lot more than I did. :(
Want to read
July 4, 2015Edición especial para la Crack Bang Boom 2015.
May 25, 2016
lots of pics of guitarists....
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews