What do you think?
Rate this book
The God Machine
Guy Salvatore can't get a break. After his girlfriend Sith died, he can't seem to go through a morning without monsters coming out of the bathroom mirror, or being pressed at school with his friends' concern over his well-being. All Guy wants is to be left alone. One night after a bad dream, Guy seeks solace in the graveyard by Sith's tombstone, and is confronted by an odd bunch of characters that will change his life forever with the promise that Sith might be alive! Meanwhile, a beautiful Goddess known as Good God has lost the key to heaven. She needs the help of her fellow compatriot, Evil God, to search for it down on Earth. But what starts off as a minor chore becomes more when Guy catches them in the graveyard, especially since Gods are supposed to be invisible to mortals'
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2010
3 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Chandra Free
14 books26 followersChandra Free is writer and illustrator of The God Machine, from publisher Archaia.
Born and bred into captivity of Orlando, Florida, Chandra (pronounced CHAN-drah, like Jackie CHAN) can now be found in her present-day home, blissfully away in the land of New York with her writer boyfriend, Drew Gaska. It is here that she concocts her uniquely abstract and elongated art and comics. Intensely interested in the incorporation of psychology into her art, she focuses on the unconscious and human aspects of her characters. In addition to The God Machine, she has worked as a digital painter on the comic series Sullengrey by Ape Entertainment, adapted/illustrated T.S. Elliot's The Wasteland for the anthology Graphic Cannon, and as an illustrator on Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock by Archaia. She is also a creative director at the guerrilla studio BLAM! Ventures.
On her off time she considers herself an amateur “Foodie”– looking for the holy grail of coffees, the most savory bowl of Japanese ramen, the quintessential green tea item, the most mouth-watering sashimi, and the weirdest food she’s never encountered before– all on the isle’ of Manhattan.
She’s also an avid Venture Brothers fan, a retro video gamer, collector of arty-indy comics, infrequent participant of the “goth” scene, and girl adventurer!
Born and bred into captivity of Orlando, Florida, Chandra (pronounced CHAN-drah, like Jackie CHAN) can now be found in her present-day home, blissfully away in the land of New York with her writer boyfriend, Drew Gaska. It is here that she concocts her uniquely abstract and elongated art and comics. Intensely interested in the incorporation of psychology into her art, she focuses on the unconscious and human aspects of her characters. In addition to The God Machine, she has worked as a digital painter on the comic series Sullengrey by Ape Entertainment, adapted/illustrated T.S. Elliot's The Wasteland for the anthology Graphic Cannon, and as an illustrator on Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock by Archaia. She is also a creative director at the guerrilla studio BLAM! Ventures.
On her off time she considers herself an amateur “Foodie”– looking for the holy grail of coffees, the most savory bowl of Japanese ramen, the quintessential green tea item, the most mouth-watering sashimi, and the weirdest food she’s never encountered before– all on the isle’ of Manhattan.
She’s also an avid Venture Brothers fan, a retro video gamer, collector of arty-indy comics, infrequent participant of the “goth” scene, and girl adventurer!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 4, 2022
I'm in love with this. The art and storyline are so very me, dark and beautiful and fresh. I'm going to flick through this again. I really did enjoy this. The writing is so fluid and poetic, dark and light humoured all at the same time. Good for a read.
December 9, 2017
Beautiful art, loved it. Dark storyline.
January 17, 2018
I can't make it through this one. Feels like it was written by an unimaginitive 14 year old. The illustrations look like someone just learning to draw by copying anime.
November 5, 2024
I picked this up at a used bookstore. I thought it was complete. It is not. Nothing more has been published since 2010. It seems a bit dated even for then. It not being complete, and probably never going to be completed, is enough for me to not recommend it. It's also just not very good. It seems like an angsty goth teen's idea of deep. I don't know much about the goth subculture, so maybe I'm missing something, but there doesn't seem to be much here to miss.
The strikingly gorgeous cover is what attracted me to it in the bookstore. How did somebody manage to draw Chappell Roan fourteen years early? Some of the art is spectacular. Some of it is so bad that I can't tell what I'm supposed to be looking at. So, a mixed bag.
The strikingly gorgeous cover is what attracted me to it in the bookstore. How did somebody manage to draw Chappell Roan fourteen years early? Some of the art is spectacular. Some of it is so bad that I can't tell what I'm supposed to be looking at. So, a mixed bag.
November 8, 2023
I've been following Chan's God Machine art since our DeviantArt days, and it's such a delight to be able to hold the product of all her hard work in my hands. Her art is gorgeous, her writing is a perfect window into The Soul Of A Goth Kid In The 90s ... basically, it's a love letter to old-school goth, a meditation on grief and depression, and nowhere near finished. I can't wait to see where it goes next!
June 1, 2019
The art is the ONLY reason this gets ***.
June 28, 2019
Please write more. I care about these characters and how this ended hurts.
I have 100 questions
I have 100 questions
July 26, 2019
The art was really amazing. well worth the read if your tired of the usual graphic novel content and are looking for something darker, edgier and original.
August 3, 2020
Just can’t do it. Feels way too dated and dull.
December 2, 2016
Not to my taste. I liked some bits of it, but it didn't grab me.
February 25, 2013
I stumbled upon this graphic novel while browsing the graphic novel section in Half Price Books. The absolutely stunning artwork on the cover grabbed my attention. When I pulled it down and paged through it I was hooked on the unique and fabulous art.
Guy Salvatore’s girlfriend has gone missing and is presumed dead. He is dwelling in a state of self pity and grief and manages to catch the attention of the Gods. Good God, Evil God, and Limbo God run things from a parallel realm and this boy is messes everything up when he sees them (humans aren’t supposed to be able to see the Gods). In the midst of much mayhem they try to figure out what the heck is going on here.
I cannot emphasise how stunning and beautiful the artwork is throughout this book. It is just wonderful. It’s done in a beautiful full array of colors and is just absolutely eye-catching...and at times a bit disturbing.
The story is decently done, but a bit ambiguous and scattered at times. It’s a very creative story but you have to really concentrate on what is happening to not get lost. The story bounces between Guy, the three Gods, and a number of Guy’s rather disturbing dreams.
It’s a fun and interesting read....and I just love, love love the artwork.
Overall this was a very good and interesting graphic novel. I enjoyed the artwork throughout a ton and though the story was very creative. The story is a bit ambiguous though and kind of jumps between different POVs, so you really need to concentrate on what’s going on. I enjoyed it alot and hope that Free writes future installments to the God Machine.
Guy Salvatore’s girlfriend has gone missing and is presumed dead. He is dwelling in a state of self pity and grief and manages to catch the attention of the Gods. Good God, Evil God, and Limbo God run things from a parallel realm and this boy is messes everything up when he sees them (humans aren’t supposed to be able to see the Gods). In the midst of much mayhem they try to figure out what the heck is going on here.
I cannot emphasise how stunning and beautiful the artwork is throughout this book. It is just wonderful. It’s done in a beautiful full array of colors and is just absolutely eye-catching...and at times a bit disturbing.
The story is decently done, but a bit ambiguous and scattered at times. It’s a very creative story but you have to really concentrate on what is happening to not get lost. The story bounces between Guy, the three Gods, and a number of Guy’s rather disturbing dreams.
It’s a fun and interesting read....and I just love, love love the artwork.
Overall this was a very good and interesting graphic novel. I enjoyed the artwork throughout a ton and though the story was very creative. The story is a bit ambiguous though and kind of jumps between different POVs, so you really need to concentrate on what’s going on. I enjoyed it alot and hope that Free writes future installments to the God Machine.
September 20, 2014
I'll readily admit that it was the truly sumptuous Tim Burton-esque artwork on the cover that first attracted me to The God Machine, and I was absolutely delighted to discover that the quality of the art was just as good throughout the entire graphic novel. Chandra Free is an exceptionally talented artist - no question.
Sadly, the story itself isn't quite up to the same high standard, being a fairly clichéd tale of teenage Gothic angst, loss and depression, and seems very clearly influenced by a mixture of Jhonen Vasquez and Sandman-era Gaiman (which is no bad thing), but it's readable and does pick up towards the end. However, this volume concludes rather abruptly, and with no prior indication that the story isn't complete.
Still, I'd be interested in reading the next part, if only to appreciate all the pretty, pretty pictures.
Sadly, the story itself isn't quite up to the same high standard, being a fairly clichéd tale of teenage Gothic angst, loss and depression, and seems very clearly influenced by a mixture of Jhonen Vasquez and Sandman-era Gaiman (which is no bad thing), but it's readable and does pick up towards the end. However, this volume concludes rather abruptly, and with no prior indication that the story isn't complete.
Still, I'd be interested in reading the next part, if only to appreciate all the pretty, pretty pictures.
July 18, 2011
Comic books/graphic novels are not a usual read for me but the artwork on this one drew me in so I had to get it. It wasn't bad. The artwork is definitely what stands out. The story line wasn't bad either. I'm just really used to reading books and everything is detailed in writing. In this aspect, it is more detailed in the pics. It was actually kind of hard for me to do. I have to remind myself to stop and take in what's going on in the pic. I think I'll try more graphic novels to get the hang of it. This is the first book in what appears to be a series. The book leaves you wanting more as the story seems to be just starting to unwind and then it ends. I look forward to reading the next book.
September 21, 2011
I actually met the author on Twitter well before I read this, although I'd be lying if I said I remembered how I came to start following her and occasionally talking with her. The main thing that got me to finally buy this book wasn't reviews of it, or previews of the artwork, but rather, the passion she has for her creation.
While I see a lot of praise for the art, it took me a few pages to warm up to. I wish that the story had progressed more over this first volume, but I know that she's got to build her world and introduce us to her characters, so I'll definitely be coming back for the second volume. Congrats, Chandra, you've got me hooked.
While I see a lot of praise for the art, it took me a few pages to warm up to. I wish that the story had progressed more over this first volume, but I know that she's got to build her world and introduce us to her characters, so I'll definitely be coming back for the second volume. Congrats, Chandra, you've got me hooked.
August 6, 2011
Glad I finally got a chance to read this. I saw the promos for it last year at comic con, but it didn't come out til the fall, and I sort of lost track of getting it til this summer, so I waited and picked it up at comic con.
The art is very pretty and flowing. It's an interesting premise - but as is the problem with many comic books, just as it starts to pick up, you're finished with it. I hope there's info soon on when another volume will be out
The art is very pretty and flowing. It's an interesting premise - but as is the problem with many comic books, just as it starts to pick up, you're finished with it. I hope there's info soon on when another volume will be out
January 29, 2013
I love Chandra Free's illustrative style and must admit that I bought this simply from seeing a few images.
The story's OK, but easily forgettable (I had to re-read for this review and I couldn't remember what I had originally thought of it). I was very dissapointed that it wasn't complete within this one book. I don't even know wether it has been or will be continued.
Overall, if you like very nice artwork, this is a good eye-candy book.
The story's OK, but easily forgettable (I had to re-read for this review and I couldn't remember what I had originally thought of it). I was very dissapointed that it wasn't complete within this one book. I don't even know wether it has been or will be continued.
Overall, if you like very nice artwork, this is a good eye-candy book.
January 11, 2016
I'm not really sure how I feel about what I've just read. The premise is intriguing and I liked the imagery but for some reason I just felt ... meh. This story is to be continued and I get the impression that things will really kick off in the book(s) to follow; I just wished it did a better job with this book as it's the beginning.
I did enjoy the Foreword which was written by Doc Hammer, one of the minds behind TV's Venture Bros.
I did enjoy the Foreword which was written by Doc Hammer, one of the minds behind TV's Venture Bros.
May 8, 2011
This was very original but also very silly. The art was great except all the people were really skinny and I'm only attracted to big women so there was no eye-candy for me. I laughed a couple times but the book basically stops in the middle of the story so I'll probably never find out what happens in the end.
May 27, 2011
Absolutely brilliant! I loved the story and the art work is incredibly fantastic and any story (especially a Goth story) that makes reference to Duran Duran is Aces in my books! I really hope to see more from this author.
May 28, 2012
Awesomely gothy. Influences must include Six Feet Under and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Cleverness, and 90's references throughout made this an extremely enjoyable read. The artwork was beautifully dark and cartoony at the same time, somehow. I strongly recommend!
August 26, 2014
I knew that I was going to fall in love with this novel the second I saw the cover, and oh boy I did. The God Machine is one of the most visually stunning, haunting, and memorable books I have ever read. The artwork is perfect, the story; perfect as well. I will recommend this book to everyone.
October 10, 2012
The artwork was explosive and the storyline was alright.
Read
December 29, 2012шедевр!!! Очень красиво
September 24, 2013
Giving up, I didn´t like it enough to finish it.
January 21, 2013
A lot of great art and writing. However I was a little disappointed at the ending.
December 27, 2014
Absolutely gorgeous artwork.
July 23, 2014
Awesome story and fantastic artwork! I'm waiting for volume 2.
December 12, 2013
I want more
January 31, 2014
I thought the artwork was fantastic and the creepy moments were pretty dark but the storyline itself was pretty weak.
August 25, 2014
***3.5*** It has an interesting storyline. I enjoyed the graphics and the '80's references.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews