The Sadhu: Volume 1

by Gotham Chopra, Deepak Chopra, Jeevan J. Kang

Detached from all emotional ties, Sadhus devote themselves to a spiritual journey said to unleash unimaginable powers. This is the destiny awaiting Englishman James Jenson, but a tragic twist of fate... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934413038
• ISBN13: 9781934413036
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Virgin Comics
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.6" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Die to reality- to be reborn in Reality!

I can honestly say that this graphic novel held my interest. I felt compelled to finish it the same day that I received it. Perhaps I am not a typical reader since I am also a long time fan of traditional Indian comics. However, this book is really quite different from the traditional since it introduces a British hero from the beginnings of the Raj, no less. The traditional comics tend to tell and retell the great mythic tales of India. This story manages to believably combine the two worlds. It was always my understanding that the sadhu was a renunciate whose sole goal was to obtain union with God. This sadhu is a bit... different. He seems much more the warrior (a sadhu transcends caste.) He, and his teacher, also seem much more concerned with powers, or sidhis, than with detachment and meditation. I suppose this is done for dramatic effect since a sadhu contemplating the nature of reality alone in a forest doesn't lead to much in the way of action and conflict (unless perhaps you are the Buddha.) Yet, our British officer is in the process of recollecting his true nature by remembering the future, so perhaps such theatrics can be excused as he dies to his old self in order to be reborn. I found both the writing and the art to be competently executed. Yes, a fair amount of slang- usually American slang- finds its way into the dialog. It would have also have been nice if the otherwise excellent artist would have done a little more research on 19th century costumes and weapons (and money- why are US dollars shown and not pound notes?). However, these are minor complaints that can be overlooked in the interest of an intriguing overall exercise in graphic story telling. At the core of it, I got the sense that this was produced by people who know that sadhus and their quest are quite real- and not just an entertaining fairy tale.

This is cool

Forget flaws- what doesn't have them?! Overall this story is very engaging, and the concepts are authentic to yogic mythology. The art is top-notch, and I am excited to read the next installment. We shouldn't forget that it's a graphic novel- a comic, and we shouldn't expect it to be so amazing that we burn up in a spontaneous spiritual enlightenment- taking the book up with us in the flames! It's simply a cool story with cool ideas, good art, and good vibes. Peace to all!