Joseph Smith and the Mormons

Joseph Smith and the Mormons

By Noah Van Sciver

Abrams ComicArts, 2022. 455 pages. Graphic Novels

In Joseph Smith and the Mormons, author and illustrator Noah Van Sciver, who was raised a Mormon, covers one of history's controversial figures, Joseph Smith. The book discusses all of the monumental moments during Smith's life, including the anti-Mormon threats and violence which caused his followers to move from New York to Ohio, Smith's receiving the commandment of plural marriage, his imprisonments, his announcement to run for president of the United States, and his ultimate murder by an angry mob in 1844. With a respectful and historical approach, and strikingly illustrated, this graphic novel is the ultimate book for those curious about the origins of the Mormon faith and the man who started it all.

It's probably impossible to depict a person's entire life, but this graphic novel comes close. The book is a massive undertaking, as it clocks in over 400 completely illustrated pages. The pacing is done well, with full page spreads interspersed to give the reader a breather. Noah Van Sciver does an excellent job of humanizing historical figures and providing context behind the stories. Van Sciver moves the story through dialogue rather than a narrator, which helps the reader make their own conclusions. Also helpful are the historical notes included in the back of the book. Overall it is an impressive feat of storytelling. 

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