Graphic Novel Review: WORTH

When we last checked in on WORTH, we took the first issue for a spin (review here). Now, let’s take a look at the first full length graphic novel of WORTH. As you’ll see, we have a whole new kind of hero we’re dealing with here. Grant Worth is a new “old school” kind of hero. The print edition of the WORTH graphic novel is available now.

Welcome to Detroit, a melting pot that’s been boiling over for a long time. It seems that peaceful harmony, even today, remains forever elusive. But Grant, that old battered warrior, despite his temper, proves to be more than capable of patience and virtue. Grant, as a white man, could have lost perspective when two young black men steal from his own backyard, but he uses sound judgment instead. He saves Elliot’s life and sets into motion a valuable friendship. Grant Worth, the mysterious fading hero, once the Motor City’s “Master of Machines,” able to control any machine at will, may still have what it takes when it matters most.

With the premise set up of an old hero helping the next generation, we can dig deeper: Flashback to 1988 and we find Grant, in early middle-age, in happier times. Grant is married to an African-American woman, he has a beautiful daughter, Libby, that takes after him. If he’s not living the post-’60s dream, then who is? But dreams fade and times change. We’ll see Grant experience many changes, along with his activist friend, Eddie, who can only rage against the machine.

Eddie, is caught up in the anxiety of what lies ahead, the age of computers. He can easily see a time, not too far away, when Grant’s powers, and even his daughter’s, will become obsolete. Controlling machines won’t be enough, not when they’re all run with computer chips. “Like a moth to a silicon flame, we’re drawn to new technology,” Eddie breathlessly warns, “Desperate to enlist its aid. To cede control. To have it do something…anything…for us.” As time passes, Eddie’s fervor grows into fanaticism. Change just keeps coming, becoming more complex and dominant. Of course, Grant fights against change too but he always seemed to have a level head in the end, right?

WORTH shows us a man with strange powers who pays a high price for his gifts, for what they can do and what they cannot do. But there’s much more to it than that. Because, in the end, when a crisis takes hold, you do whatever it takes with whatever you’ve got. In Grant Worth’s case, he’s got a lot to work with.

As a potential opener for a new series of ongoing stories, WORTH is totally up to the task. It definitely does not feel like it’s all just one big tease. It could easily stand alone as one great story and that is that. But, I have feeling this is not the last we’ll see of Grant Worth, at least I hope not.

WORTH is presented by Roddenberry Entertainment, and is published by Arcana. WORTH, the graphic novel, is available now in print and in digital on April 16. For more details, visit the WORTH website here.