Eight Billion Genies is a series I had been interested in checking out for some time, as it was highly praised on release. The series is only an eight-issue miniseries, so it’s perfect for someone looking for a self-contained narrative or a quick read.

Published by Image Comics, Eight Billion Genies is written by Charles Soule and features artwork from Ryan Brown. Brown is the co-creator of the story, while Kevin Knipstein handles colors. The overall premise, though simple, is immediately intriguing. One day, Genies appear and offer one wish to every single person on earth, and what follows is an exploration of the aftermath.

I enjoyed how Soule creatively structured this narrative. Each issue focuses on a different amount of time in multiples of eight such as the first eight seconds, hours, days, weeks etc. It’s quite clever, though at times I wished we could slow down a little bit instead of constantly jumping through time. Nevertheless, Soule still does great work with this story, given the limitations of a miniseries. Eight Billion Genies explores many philosophical ideas like the destructive power of desire, human nature, death, rebirth, and more. It does so with a critical but not purely nihilistic angle that makes for an enjoyable experience. This is complemented perfectly by the rather whimsical artwork from Brown and the vibrant colors from Kevin Knipstein.

Another aspect I enjoyed in this was the worldbuilding. Despite the short length, Soule crafts an incredibly unique post-apocalyptic setting full of imagination as we explore how people continue to live in a world that can undergo extreme, dramatic change in the blink of an eye. Cities are built upon the backs of flying whales or impenetrable domes, while wish holders are hoarded like currency or harshly persecuted. Fantastical creatures and supernatural abilities become commonplace, and the environment shifts from toxic wastelands to prehistoric forests. Despite all this, humanity continues on and somehow still manages to remake many of the same problems in our current world.

Even the Genies themselves are given some interesting background. They have a society governed by some concrete rules that are intertwined with the cosmic cycle of the universe itself. It’s these little details that truly flesh out the story and make it stand out, rather than the story being just a fun concept.

Our main cast of characters is a small, diverse group, each at different stages of their lives. It’s quite interesting to see how each utilizes their wishes throughout the tale, and it always makes for some dramatic twists. No one in the cast is a weak link, and each is given enough development to ensure you will care about them and their individual struggles. Additionally, each of the cast members is given a few key flaws which help them to feel believable.

As far as weaknesses go, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending.  The story certainly builds to a very satisfying conclusion, but the ‘final solution’ it offers readers to the main themes and questions raised felt like a cheap cop out. I won’t spoil it here, but it’s a concept which has become a key trope in fiction as the most powerful force, and one I feel is overused to enforce a hopeful outlook on life. I was hoping for something more unique, though many folks will no doubt connect with the message positively.

I would certainly still recommend Eight Billion Genies. It’s a great series that is executed well and provokes some thoughtful self-reflection. I was certainly left wondering what I would have wished for if put in the same situation. All in all, an engaging and entertaining read that I feel both veteran readers and newcomers to the medium can enjoy.

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Eight Billion Genies

39.99

9.5

Score

9.5/10

Pros

• Philosophical themes and ideas
• Vibrant colorful artwork
• Creative structure and worldbuilding

Cons

• Pacing is quite fast
• Ending is a little weak