Tag Archives: the wicked + the divine

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P1060324The weekend is almost here! Some of our team is heading to the Marvel museum set up in Las Vegas! What geeky things are you all doing? Sound off in the comments!

While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Cleveland – Self-published zines are now in Cleveland Heights-University Heights main library – Awesome to see this.

One India – Rohit Sharma launches first superhero cricket graphic novel ‘Hyper Tygers’ – We await the graphic novel to explain this sport to some of us.

CBLDF – Organizations Urge U.N. To Take Action Against Free Speech Violations in Turkey – Sign us up for this fight!

Newsarama – Millennials Are Fleeing Movie Theaters…Or Are They? – Who cares, just stop looking at your cells and chatting during movies!

SKTCHD – The Long Article to End them All: On Ending SKTCHD and Riding into the Sunset – Another geek site shuts down.

The Beat – Awesome Con report: will this be the next fifth biggest convention? – A solid report. We’re a bit behind in ours.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Alibi – Kaptara Vol. 1

The Outhousers – The Wicked + The Divine #20

Review: The Wicked + The Divine #20

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TheWickedAndTheDivine_20-1This particular issue of the ‘Rising Action’ arc of The Wicked + The Divine isn’t very heavy on the action, but I haven’t been this upset over an issue of straight talking since Woden revealed how evil he is in #14.

Persephone meets Cassandra in the garden where the life of Laura ended and reveals to her why she’s alive in the first place. Because there is no one else she trusts with the knowledge, and there is no one else who remembers her as Laura. Not just Laura who witnessed the death of Lucifer, but Laura the fangirl. The evolution of the relationship of Cassandra and Laura over the course of the series from “I don’t like [her]. But I do trust her” to now where Persephone allows Cassandra to feel her first miracle has been a slow and quiet one, but beautiful to witness all the same.

Through Persephone, Cassandra is shown the truth of the events the night Laura was “killed” as well as the true nature of Baphomet. Without spoiling the reveal of how Baphomet ascended, there’s something to be said about how this series deals with chosen names versus given names. Persephone has actively rejected being called Laura, while Cassandra still uses the name she gave herself pre-Godhood and Baphomet has two given names he’s rejected because he’s a nerd.

The subtitle of this issue is “The Mess We’re In.” While that is accurate, another subtitle could have easily been “Baphomet is not the lying jackass you thought he was.” Granted, he’s still a jackass, but the issue reveals the backstory behind every action of his that’s happened since issue 11. Of course, try telling that to the rest of the gods. Mark my words, Cassandra is going to live up to her name if she ends up trying to tell the truth to the rest of the Pantheon.

Most of this issue takes place in flashback, which once again allows colorist Matthew Wilson to shine. In vibrant pinks and blues, the story of Persephone in Hell is done in a way that reminds of that discordant feeling of looking at something meant to be viewed by red and blue 3D glasses. Even in the underground where everything is supposed to be darkness, this color scheme shifts perfectly along with it. It gives such a perfect sense of view and unreality that the usual color palette wouldn’t have since this is all from Persephone’s perspective. Along with that, there’s the subtle way Jamie McKelvie changes Persephone’s outfit with each frame of her in the Underground that might take a second read to catch.

By the end of the issue, Persephone issues her ultimatum to Cass and the Norns: join them in Valhalla to save Minerva or don’t, because they’ve already started either way. It’s hard to say right now if it’s on purpose, but Kieron Gillen very much gave Persephone the “35 minutes ago” moment of the series here.

While not high on the action, The Wicked + The Divine #20 is a gorgeously colored issue that spills plot revelations that mean huge things for the rest of the story. The question now is will those plot revelations be believed going into the final battle of this arc? Hard to say, but it there is now an extra sense of dread in the air now that Persephone has spilled the secrets to another living soul. Of course, she does this to a woman named Cassandra. For all I know, we’re all doomed by the hubris of Gods.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Jamie McKelvie and Matthew Wilson
Story: 8.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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The Fix #3Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Anthony

Top Pick: Island #8 (Image Comics) – Island has been a great ride from the beginning featuring a very wide, eclectic array of comic creators in this anthology series. Each issue has some stories that continue in segments with some one shot shorts as well that are brilliantly organized and curated by creators Brandon Graham and Emma Rios. Island has yet to disappoint with content that can be eye-popping visually, psychologically provoking, and socially relevant. This issue features stories from Johnnie Christmas and Simon Roy.

Empress #3 (Icon/Marvel) – Mark Millar, hate him or love him, has always released some titles with a refreshing perspective and some gorgeous artwork in this sci-fi based story of a man that has taken on the task of helping a wife and her three children escape from an overzealous husband/leader. This time around, Stuart Immonen has been killing it on pencils with some added detailing on inks by Wade von Grawbadger and expressive colouring by Ive Svorcina. The second issue really kicked up the action a notch and ended with quite the cliffhanger. It will be exciting to see what kind of adventures the group gets into this time around and will hopefully have some calming periods to get to know a bit more on the characters as well.

The Fix #3 (Image Comics) – The Fix is one of the funniest comics put out in 2016 that should be no surprise to fans of the creative team of Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber. Adding colourist Ryan Hill to the mix has really created this neo-noir vibe with a dash of anti-hero douchebaggery and a tinge of unexpected splashes of violence. This series has sold out of both the first two issues (with this week releasing the third printing of Issue #1) so it has proven itself to be a pleaser thus far that is sure to continue its hilarity and ridiculousness. Corrupt cops Ray and Mac have found themselves in quite the junction of scenarios so one can only imagine what will happen now that a police dog named Pretzels has been thrown in the mix.

The Wicked + The Divine #20 (Image Comics) – The Gods have been consistently fighting against one another over the last few issues ever since Laura has come back and it appears as if the buildup will keep getting higher and higher. Deaths are abound for sure. Wic Div has one of the most impressive creative teams for Image that keeps the readers guessing as to what exactly is going to happen next. As long as Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson grace the cover and interiors (with the occasional striking guests) Wic Div should be on your monthly pull list.

Wolf #8 (Image Comics) – Ales Kot is one of the most intriguing, complex, labyrinthian writers working in comics today. Wolf has been a bit of an up and down ride but the last issue really put the train back onto the tracks. The artwork by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz and colours by Lee Loughridge‘s give this title a real punk edge to it and will hopefully push the limits after the ending to Issue #7.

 

Alex

Top Pick: Voracious #4 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – Man discovers he can travel through time. Instead of using it to become rich with gambling, he decides to become a dinosaur hunter and open a restaurant. This is why I love comics; because this actually works.

4001 A.D.: Bloodshot #1 (Valiant) – 4001 A.D. has been a brilliant event so far, but the stand alone tie ins from Valiant can always be hit or miss depending on how big a fan of the specific character you are. I’m a middling fan of Bloodshot, so this should be interesting.

Howard the Duck #8 (Marvel) – One of the more fun series that Marvel is putting out these days (at least that I’m reading), this is usually a snark filled comic that usually one of the best I read in the week it’s released.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: The Flash: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – Yes, yes, yes the real West is back! I have been so pumped and still coming off the high that was the Rebirth special. My conduit to comics is back in full force. I don’t care where this goes. I just want to be in the fast lane for it!

Action Comics #957 (DC Comics) – Like Wally returning so has the real Kal-El. I am thrilled for this and who says you can’t have family in comics? I am intrigued on where Lex will fit, will they try to keep him a true Man of Steel or is he plotting the one true Superman’s downfall.

Detective Comics #934 (DC Comics) – The road to the mega epic #1000 starts here! Truth be told I’m not on fire about this title but it has enough solicited elements to pique my interest. A new Bat-Team could be what Gotham ordered. However with a title like Detective Comics I’d rather see Ralph Dibney on the billing, but hey time will tell…

 

Brett

Top Pick: Sheriff of Babylon #7 (Vertigo) – One of the best comics on the market right now. Absolutely amazing storytelling that’s a murder mystery set in modern Iraq. There’s actually not as much politics as you’d think, just fantastic pacing and subtle details that add to the complete package.

Green Lantern: Edge of Oblivion #6 (DC Comics) – This miniseries wraps up and I can’t wait to see how it ends, especially since its been a veiled allegory about modern day terrorism and religious extremism. Plus… who gets back to modern times and how!?

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy #1 (BOOM! Box/DC Comics) – The first issue is a cute combination of the two series as the groups come together to solve a mystery. There’s a weird “Scooby Doo” vibe about it all, but the first issue works really well and this should be a fun miniseries.

Prometheus: Life and Death #1 (Dark Horse) – I’m a fan of Dark Horse’s new Alien/Predator/Prometheus universe and their intertwining miniseries have been fantastic. This one has been an interesting build so far and with this first issue, we finally get the beginning of the last piece of the puzzle.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #3 (Marvel) – If you enjoyed Star Wars: The Force Awakens and want to get even more of the story about Poe, this is the comic for you. It peals back the curtain a bit on this newer aspect of the Star Wars universe, and answers some questions left dangling by the film.

 

Paul

Top Pick: All-New X-Men #10 (Marvel) – I’ve been enjoying this Apocalypse War storyline running through the X books, and I am looking forward to seeing Evan, now in the past, coming face to face with En Sabah Nur, who will one day become Apocalypse.  Can Evan change the past, and stop Apocalypse from ever being?  Will this take Evan down the path to becoming the next Apocalypse? Can I possibly use the word Apocalypse anymore in this blurb? I am looking forward to seeing where this leads.

The Vision #8 (Marvel) – Uh oh…the Avengers know everything that has happened with Vision and his family; the violence, the deaths and the lies.  And now they’re coming to find some answers.  I don’t see this going very well, but as with every issue in this series, I’m sure it’s going to be a hell of a read.

Wacky Raceland #1 (DC Comics) – Do you remember the Wacky Racers from Saturday morning cartoons?  I do too…and this is not them!  The world has gone to hell and racers trek across the remains of their word for survival.  It’s Death Race meets Hannah-Barbera and I for one will be strapping in for this crazy ride.  Just check out Muttly on the cover!  This is NOT the cartoon I remember.

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GiantDays_014_A_MainIt’s new comic book day tomorrow! We’ll have our picks in a few hours, but what are you all excited for? Sound off in the comments!

While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

CBR – The Mission: “Captain America: Civil War’s” Mother Lode & Bonds Beyond Race – As always Joe is one you want to read.

Kotaku – There’s a Giant Deadpool Statue in Japan – *Insert huge in Japan joke here*

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

CBR – Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In #1

CBR – Giant Days #14

CBR – Sheriff of Babylon #6

CBR – Star Wars: Poe Dameron #2

The Beat – Why Would You Do That?

CBR – The Wicked + The Divine #19

Review: The Wicked + The Divine #19

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WicDiv19hotWicDiv #19 reads like the first skirmish in an epic war, but it’s an amusing skirmish indeed as writer Kieron Gillen provides a little more insight into the characters of Minerva and especially Dionysus, who gets his first substantial panel time since WicDiv #8. (What with him being a 24/7/365 dance floor.) His worshipers/ravers are so connected to him that even when he takes a five minute break for a soda and fries, they got wild so it’s safe to say that he’s a little irritated when Baphomet draws him into a battle between the Sky gods and Underground ones. Gillen writes him as peaceful in the mode of the late Inanna while artist Jamie McKelvie and colorist Matthew Wilson show that he is less than apt in the art of combat thanks to this pacifist nature.

WicDiv #19 doesn’t end on any “WTF” cliffhangers like #17 or #18, but it’s nice to see the sides set in the battle between the two factions of the Pantheon with Ananke turning into a full bore, unapologetic, and unsympathetic monster when Minerva’s special owl catches a recording of her talking about sacrificing Minerva to prevent the “great darkness”, or the end of the Pantheon cycles that was hinted at back in Ananke’s solo issue. Supposedly, Persephone is connected to the great darkness as the “destroyer figure”, but the jury is still out on this fact as Persephone is more force of nature than teen fangirl with superpowers as she silently brings green tendrils from the Earth to knock off

The action is really the best part of WicDiv #19 as well as McKelvie’s mindboggling ability to switch from Morrigan to Badb and even Gentle Annie (Who gets an incredibly pleasing character voice from Gillen.) through gestures and body language. Gentle Annie comes off as a laidback and maybe a little stoned with relaxed posture while Badb is all rage and expletives. Wilson’s colors play a big part in her transformation from subtle shifts in shadows to bigger switches from light grey to crimson as Gentle Annie immediately turns into Badb. McKelvie and Wilson let her go full death/war goddess in the issue’s best composition, which is a full page spread of her transforming into a horrific crow that even takes Baphomet by surprise. (Also, with his wild lightsaber, er, flaming sword arcs and general evil douchelord behavior, Baph and Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens would totally be frenemies.) This follows a full page splash of Baal generally crashing the party and being a badass with his beard and lightning with Wilson’s purples continuing to show that the only reason he gives a shit about this Pantheon civil war is because Baphomet killed Inanna. (Except Baphomet is saying Ananke did it. It will be interesting to see his justification for lying like this probably because Ananke is the terrible mother figure he wished he didn’t have.)

BadbUnleashed

Morrigan and Baal are the powerhouses of their respective factions whereas Sakhmet is more fluid leaping from panel to panel and talking trash while doing it. The characterization doesn’t stop during the fight sequences, but these physical battles actually enhance them with Amaterasu not taking any action against the Underground deities (Who she somewhat considers friends, especially Persephone.) and just zipping in like Superman to get Minerva to “safety”. She is the opposite of the destructive Morrigan and has the precision of one of Cyclops’ optic blast (Because Gillen used to write Uncanny X-Men.) as McKelvie cuts to her always on-point eye makeup, and she grabs Minerva without harming a soul. Wilson uses a solar yellow to show her purity and kindness. It’s pretty sad to see her in the service of a murderer and possible future child killer.

AmaterasuSuperman

WicDiv #19 deepens the evil of Ananke and the characters of Minerva and Dionysus while having some pyrotechnics-filled god battles from artist Jamie McKelvie and colorist Matthew Wilson. Writer Kieron Gillen also starts to hint at Persephone not being the heroic, divine upgrade of Laura that fans expected as both the sky and underground Pantheon are cast in a net of lies, strained relationships, and volatile personalities. Morrigan and Baal are definitely the proverbial water and oil mixture (Or Yeezy/Nightwish mashup I never knew I wanted.) after this issue despite not interacting too much before.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Jamie McKelvie Colors: Matthew Wilson
Story: 8 Art: 9 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 4/9/16

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Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

Alex

JOHNNY_RED 6 coverGrizzly Shark #1 (Image) This is without doubt the most entertaining comic I’ve read all week. There’s a lot of blood, which is to be expected when a shark roams the woods. How does it roam the woods? I don’t know, and I don’t honestly care, but let’s just say it flies. Yeah. A flying grizzly shark. Amazing. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Johnny Red #6 (Titan) continues to be one of my most anticipated titles every month, and amazingly it has met my expectations each time. While you may not be able to find single issues that easily if your shop didn’t order enough in, keep an eye out for the trade (or single issues digitally, but the artwork suffered digitally on my laptop when it came to the double page spreads in every issue but this one), because this has been a fantastically entertaining series. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Detective Comics #51 (DC)* As a Jim Gordon comic this is fantastic; getting a glimpse into who he was before Gotham City is fantastic. I would have been happy without the inclusion of the batsuit, honestly, but then would this still be a Batman comic? Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Darkness: Hope (Image Comics) An interesting story that probably would mean a lot more to me if I had a bit more context for the Darkness’ world. But as somebody who has really never read much, if any, Darkness comics this was qutite accessible and enjoyable. I can only assume it’d be more so if you’re more familiar with the characters.  Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

 

Brettempress 1 cover

Black Widow #2 (Marvel) – Continues the action packed narrative from the first issue. The team of Waid and Samnee are nailing the action/spy vibe of the character. Just lots of fun and everything I hoped it’d be. Overall Rating: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Empress #1 (Marvel/Icon) – An ok beginning for Mark Millar’s new series with Stuart Immonen on art. The first issue continues the more subdued Millar we’ve seen lately. Not a bad start, but something didn’t quite hook me. I’ll definitely check out the second issue to see where it goes. Overall Rating: 7 Recommendation: Read

The Walking Dead #153 (Image Comics/Skybound) – This one is all about Negan. I know we’re not supposed to like the character, but there’s something about him that isn’t making that happen. While his methods are bad, lets face it, he’s often right. Overall Rating: 7.7 Recommendation: Read

The Fix #1 (Image Comics) – The first issue nails it. So much fun and entertaining. One of my favorites of the week, and one of my favorites in some time. Overall Rating: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

grizzly shark 1Grizzly Shark #1 (Image Comics) – It’s a shark that lives in the forest. The idea sounds like a SyFy movie, and it’s so absurd it’s amazing. So over the top. So over the top funny. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Read

Think Tank: Creative Destruction #1 (Top Cow Productions) – I loved the first volume of this series. This second volume is a decent start but missing some of its intelligent subversive fun of the first volume. This may read better as a trade, but it’s still a smart start that’ll get you to think. Overall Rating: 7.8 Recommendation: Read

The Bunker #16 (Oni Press) – As usual, this series surprises with every twist and turn. It’s a long drawn out read that’s beyond smart and an impressive in what it’s pulling off. Overall Rating: 8.1 Recommendation: Read

Gold Key Alliance #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Bringing together all the classic Gold Key characters into one universe and the same time. I’m not 100% sure what’s going on, but I want to find out more. Overall Rating: 7 Recommendation: Read

Johnny Red #6 (Titan Comics) – One hell of a comic that continues the action and gives us a bigger picture as to what’s going on. Garth Ennis is nailing this WWII comic. It hasn’t been a let down yet. Overall Rating: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Mighty Zodiac #1 (Oni Press) – A fantasy comic that’s cute in its execution. It’s a blending of various genres with animals taking the roles of kung-fu masters. It’s a cute start and could be good for younger readers. Overall Rating: 7.1 Recommendation: Read

 

Ryan CTheFix_01-1

The Fix #1 (Image) — Who can say no a reunion of the Steve Lieber/Nick Spencer team that brought us “Superior Foes Of Spider-Man” — the coolest Marvel comic since a guy named Kirby was making them? Not me. And while it may not be considered much of a stretch of their creative talents to see this tandem handling a series about half-assed criminal fuck-ups again, well — does anyone do it better? Nope, they don’t. And now their characters get to use all the curse words and double-entendres they want. The good times are back, folks — get in on this one now. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

The Wicked + The Divine #18 (Image) — Okay, I really thought that Laura was dead, too. And I’m happy to see her back. And I’m happy to see this new arc will be a bit heavier on the action and thrust the plot forward a bit more aggressively. And, of course, Jamie McKelvie’s return is gloriously welcome. But Kieron Gillen is veering dangerously close to allowing his (let’s be brutally honest) ultra-self-conscious, “too cool for school” writing style to overwhelm his own story. Which would be a shame since it’s terrific (the story, that is). Or, as Gillen would say, “Overwhelmed. Me. It happens. Bowie’s last album. Ish eight of Enigma. They do it to me. Wash over. Devastate and cleanse in one go. I want to do that here. Can I do that here? Some say it’s so close. Here. In our pages. So gratifying, that. To others, it’s already happened” — yadda ,etc., you get the idea. The story and concepts on offer here are as fresh and relevant as ever, and very nearly as awesome as the author himself thinks they are. But the shtick is starting to wear thin. Keep your eyes on the ball, please, Mr. Gillen — you’re this close to a masterpiece, don’t fuck it up by spending too much time telling us that you know are, too. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Buy

The Sheriff Of Babylon #5 (DC/Vertigo)* — Way more awesome than any issue about two characters sitting around getting drunk for 20 pages should be. My best guess is that this story expanding from eight parts to 12 is what made this “let’s take a deep breath here” installment possible in the first place, and thank goodness for that. Tom King’s script still silently justifies neo-colonialism (and neo-conservatism) more than I’m comfortable with personally, but the guy can write dialogue like nobody’s business, and Mitch Gerads keeps providence08-regthings visually interesting despite the fact that, at least on paper (shit pun, sorry) , there’s not much happening. My favorite issue of the series so far, although the “action-hungry” crowd may find it not to their liking. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Providence #8 (Avatar) — I’ll be posting a full review up on my own site and a couple of other places in the coming days, but as a place-holder until then, let me just say that the full scope of Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows’ epic is coming into something like a muddled an intriguing view, and it looks to me as though it’s been an occult ritual all along. Not just any occult ritual, either, but arguably Moore’s most ambitious one yet : obliterating or otherwise making irrelevant the line between “fantasy” and “reality,” “dreams” and “waking,” the “conscious” and “unconscious” mind — or, to be glib, to write a true story that he just happens to be making up. And I think he may just pull it off. Ten times more imaginative than any other series on the shelves, twenty times more well-executed, and fifty times more important. This fucking ratings scale we use needs to go beyond ten for issues like this,. where our protagonist, Robert Black, finally meets H.P. Lovecraft himself, but since it doesn’t, all I can say is Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

 

Sheanxena 1

Xena #1 (Dynamte): In one of the rarest cases where the spinoff is as good as the original, Xena: Warrior Princess, was an epic show, all its own,reinvigorating interest in medieval mythology, it often surpassed the quality of shows on major networks. Since the show’s series finale, the interest has just only grown and for good reason, and as Dynamite Entertainment has been in the nostalgia business as of late, they have brought back Xena in all her sword wielding glory.Within the first issue, we catch up with Xena and Gabrielle 25 years later after an enchanted sleep to find Xena ‘s daughter. By issue ‘s end, Xena and Gabrielle, definitely has bargained more than they have ask for, as they meet an old friend turned adversary. Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

 

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write.

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Review: The Wicked + The Divine #18

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WicDiv18WicDiv #18 signals the beginning of the comic’s imperial phase with the triumphant return of artist Jamie McKelvie and colorist Matthew Wilson as they and writer Kieron Gillen drop the introspective character studies of the previous arc for some well-earned action sequences and magical musical explosions. It’s like when your favorite band stopped playing small clubs and intimate venues and started playing arena rock. But damn good arena rock, like Queen or Rush in the late 70s and early 80s, the Smashing Pumpkins on their Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album, or Muse in this millennium. (Before they started putting songs on Twilight soundtracks.)

But beneath the most creative use of divine powers since the death of Luci, WicDiv #18 is a comic about transformation. Somehow, Laura has survived being “killed” by Ananke after being transformed into the 13th Pantheon member, Persephone, and she is back with a vengeance playing gigs with black, oozing tendrils in the background as McKelvie and Wilson recreate the rhythmic dance floor layout in WicDiv #8 but paint it black this time. And her little bit of attitude that was kind of adorable in the previous issues has been exchanged for pure coolness as she performs feats that and is in pure sarcasm mode. The squeeing fangirl has become a goddess.

PersephoneSlay

However, through Ananke’s tense attitude and constant freaking out, Gillen reveals that Persephone is something called the “Destroyer” and sets the stage for a war between the underworld gods and sky gods. Think Civil War without the heavy handed political allegories and with more stylish outfits. (I hate to use this word, but Persephone is definitely on fleek when she faces off against Ananke, Woden, and Sakhmet.) The direction of the plot has gone from passive aggressive sniping and covert actions to all out war between hot headed young gods while their handler continues to manipulate them.

However, the big action beats on WicDiv #18 really hit home thanks to the more character focused direction of the previous arc as small moments, like Baphomet losing his parents in WicDiv #16 or Baal beating up Morrigan in WicDiv #12, have solid payoffs. For example, Morrigan reminds Baphomet of his own orphan status, and leads him to saving Minerva’s parents even if they don’t show up on panel. And Baal and Baphomet are really in a kind of “Bad Blood” situation as they face off physically twice in the course of this issue’s melee with some flame sword and fierce headbutting action. (Wilson really juices up the pastels when Baal headbutts Baphomet in a kind of testosterone fueled homage to Baal’s dead lover Inanna, which is the reason why he hates Baph so much.)

BaalHeadbuttBaph

Everyone is really angry in WicDiv #18 as McKelvie and Wilson turn up the bombast as divine energy and speed lines are flying everywhere. But it’s not mindless Hollywood destruction porn as the team puts the Pantheon members in clever or interesting situations, and Gillen is always ready with a timely quip written in each character’s distinct voice from Baphomet’s douchiness to Morrigan’s pretention and Badb’s plain rawness. Woden’s outburst of “Laura Fucking Wilson” when Persephone does some Earth-bending meets The Matrix with a side of Green Lantern stuff is the funniest moment of the issue. (And of course, Ananke gives him a chiding.) McKelvie takes familiar visual elements of Laura like her beaten up smartphone and again transforms them into weapons of war against Ananke and her supporters. And her “S’okay” expression from when she gave Baal the brush returns after she uses her Persephone abilities to create some kind of a portal from Valhalla to the Underworld, which has been impossible up to this point. Gillen and McKelvie consign decompression to the flames of Tartarus, and Persephone play an immediate, game changing role in the series’ plot while also starting to flesh out the differences between her and Laura.

After opening with a gorgeous full page spread of Persephone in all her glory and creating a parallel between Persephone losing her parents and Minerva still wanting to keep hers, WicDiv #18 dives right into the set pieces as the characters that Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matthew Wilson have been building off get to blow off some steam in an epic way. McKelvie truly makes Persephone the star of the show design-wise while making her simultaneously non-chalant and pissed off at Ananke, and Wilson’s color work for her is intoxicating with blacks for the underworld and pinks and greens for spring when she is using her abilities in Valhalla. WicDiv #18 is electrifying reading, and its more quiet final page really messes with the character dynamics and sets up a war, both physical and emotional. No one is going to be okay by time this arc wraps up.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Jamie McKelvie Colors: Matthew Wilson
Story: 9.5  Art: 10 Overall: 9.8  Recommendation: Buy 

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Fans will worship The Wicked + The Divine, Book One

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The Wicked + The Divine, Book OneThe New York Times bestselling hit series The Wicked + The Divine by writer Kieron Gillen, artist Jamie McKelvie, and colorist Matthew Wilson will be collected into a stunning deluxe hardcover edition, with must-have bonus material and extensive commentary, available this April.

The Wicked + The Divine is the Eisner-nominated, critically-acclaimed modern fantasy where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods.

The Wicked + The Divine Deluxe Hardcover (ISBN: 978-1-63215-728-7) collects the first two story arcs of the series—issues #1-11, plus commentary and bonus content—and hits comic book stores on Wednesday, April 6th and bookstores on Tuesday, April 12th. It will be available for $44.99.

Listen to Kieron Gillen Chat with Graphic Policy Radio on Demand

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On demand: iTunes ¦ Sound Cloud ¦ Stitcher

This Monday saw the return of comic writer Kieron Gillen to Graphic Policy Radio.

Kieron Gillen first came to attention in his 2006 collaboration with Jamie McKelvie, Phonogram. Jamie and he have yet to escape each other, and have somehow roped the otherwise innocent Matt Wilson into this unfortunate pop-comics Katamari. Their most successful work is their 2014 ongoing series, The Wicked + The Divine. Kieron’s other books for Image include Three and the forthcoming The Ludocrats. His other books include many titles published by Marvel (featuring characters you’ve probably heard of) and Avatar (featuring characters you probably haven’t.) He lives in London.

This Monday he talked his career, music, and more!

Some Kieron highlights:

  1. “if you are writing about pop stars you are writing about race”
  2. “canon is stupefying”
  3.  Wondering if he ruined a 14 year old’s life by getting her into The Manic Street Preachers
  4. Teen voices on tumblr absolutely impact how he writes his teen characters
  5. Young Avengers was the Avengers if there’d been no Kirby

Also find out about the 1830 Wicked + Divine pantheon and a comic described as Pokemon meets Mad Max in the style of the Fast and Furious.

Warning: There are Wicked + Divine spoilers at the 1 hour 15 minute mark.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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JR4_Cover B by Keith BurnsWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Mr. H

Top Pick: Spider-Man #1 (Marvel Comics) – Finally Miles Morales in his own stand alone book in the Prime Universe! Very excited for this one. With Peter Parker as his mentor will the old Parker luck rub off on our hero? Or will he reach new heights? Maybe an internship at Parker Industries awaits? Come and see Web heads!

Action Comics #49 (DC Comics) – Did Clark survive his Kryptonite overdose? Can he stand up to Vandal Savage? Find out here…

Green Lantern #49 (DC Comics) – The race to 50 is on.. is Hal ready for the coming of Parallax?

We are Robin #8 (DC Comics) – More like we are Joker this month. Let’s see how the social media treats a gang of villains rather than the fledgling heroes. One question needs to be asked “Why so serious?”

 

Ashley

Top Pick: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 3 (Image Comics) – Initially thought to be a low arc due to the use of guest artists, the “Commercial Suicide” arc ended up being a brilliant and heartbreaking arc that focused more on the other characters we don’t get to see as much of in the bigger scheme of WicDiv. Exploring issues of fate, misogyny, pop stardom, cultural appropriation, and death, this experimental arc demonstrated WicDiv’s staying power.

Batgirl #48 (DC Comics) – There’s only two things I know about this issue. One, Black Canary is back in town and teaming up with Babs. Two, BABS TARR FINALLY GOT TO DRAW A LUCHA BATGIRL. Kalisto is US Champion, Lucha Underground is back, and there is an actual Luchador Batgirl costume now. What a time to be alive.

Captain Marvel #2 (Marvel) – Exhale everyone, Carol is just as lively and hardheaded as ever in the hands of Butters and Fazekas. Not to mention those abs by Anka. While it hasn’t made me cry yet, the series has me intrigued with its new use of Alpha Flight and the mystery reveal of the skeleton crew from the last issue. It’ll be interesting to see just what is in store for Carol at this “desk job.”

Pretty Deadly #8 (Image Comics) – I have a special place in my heart for the Deconnick/Ríos/Bellaire supernatural western, but this arc has been breathtaking both in story and art. Now, we finally get to meet the Reaper of War and maybe figure out just what his deal is.

Rocket Raccoon and Groot #2 (Marvel) – The first run at the Rocket Raccoon comic was an absolutely uproarious affair that made it one of my favorite Marvel titles. Skottie Young and Filipe Andrade seem to be taking a slightly different route this time with Rocket not knowing who he is after his death in Secret Wars, but the humor still seems to be there.

 

Alex

Top Pick: Johnny Red #4 (Titan Comics) – I love this series, and I’ve been counting down the days to each issues release. It is a fantastic World War II era story that highlights the struggles faced in Russia around that time, coupled with some truly stunning visual techniques.

Howard The Duck #4 (Marvel) – If not for Old Man Logan, this would be the only Marvel book I’d be reading, and that’s thanks in a large part to writer Chip Zdarsky’s occasional digs at Marvel’s reboots and events over the past year or so. I’ve been told that this series doesn’t hold up quite as well as Steve Gerber’s first volume, but if you don’t have that basis for comparison (and I don’t, yet) then the current run on Howard The Duck will be highly enjoyable.

Klaus #3 (BOOM! Studios) – Talking about visually stunning, Klaus is fantastic. It may be billed as an origin story for Santa (and it is), but this comic is so much more than that. There’s a warmth here that you really must experience.

Swamp Thing #2 (DC Comics) – When I was initially getting this list ready, it never occurred to me that Swamp Thing #2 would be one of my top five picks this week. But then I saw the comic listed on Previews website a coming out and I got unreasonably excited to read it after I remembered the slower paced, modern feeling with almost classical twist of the first issue. Who’da known?

X-O Manowar #44 (Valiant) – I wasn’t, honestly, all that impressed with the last issue of this series. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as good as it has been lately. Hopefully it was a slower start to the new arc and not something indicative of a trend. This issue will go a long way to assuaging my fears, so I’m eager to get a chance to read it.

 

Madison

Top Pick: Pretty Deadly #8 (Image) – Pretty Deadly is one of my forever favorites. Emma Ríos’s art is otherworldly, and I’m excited to see where the story goes as they continue to develop the new arc.

Batgirl #48 (DC Comics) – This week’s Batgirl looks especially promising–it has both the return of Black Canary and one of the cutest covers possibly ever.

Paper Girls #5 (Image Comics) – Paper Girls might take an issue or two to really get into–the action starts quickly and doesn’t stop when four girls are attacked on their paper route. However, as with most Brian K. Vaughan stories, it’s worth seeing through.

Shutter #18 (Image Comics) – Shutter is a great subversion of the adventure genre, but the real draw for me was the art. If you haven’t read Shutter, you might recognize Leila Del Duca from the recent and absolutely gorgeous Morrigan-centric issue of The Wicked + The Divine.

 

Paul

Top Pick: A-Force #2 (Marvel) – A-Force is assembling and I’m excited to see them together again.  True, it won’t be no holds barred like it was in Secret Wars, but it looks like it’s going to be a fun ride; and I’m really enjoying seeing things from Singularity’s point of view; she wants her friends back and is doing what she can to find them, even with a big bad energy monster on her tail.  To paraphrase Iron Man, she’s bringing the party to them!

Scarlet Witch #3 (Marvel) – I’m not all in on this title going into the third issue.  Yes, I love Wanda.  She is one of my favourite characters.  The debut issue was alright, and issue two was less than that.  So why is this on my pick of the week list?  I’m holding out hope this title picks up, and I do have a soft spot for Wanda.  There are some good ideas here, and I hope it gets a little more interesting.

Uncanny Avengers #5 (Marvel) – It’s no secret to many how I feel about this title.  So why is it on my list?  Gambit is on the cover.  That is the only reason I’m looking forward to it this week.  I’m curious to see what role he’ll play with the team and with Rogue.

The Vision #4 (Marvel) – Still the surprise hit, for me, from the All New All Different launch.  Vision just wanted to live a life with a wife and kids, what could possibly go wrong?  The reader is given very grim hints that plenty goes wrong.  Not to mention Vision’s own wife and kids have things happen to them, which they keep from him, that show us that they are a lot more like us then people would think.  It’s a great read that I highly recommend.

 

Javier

Top Pick: Sheriff of Babylon #3 (DC Comics/Vertigo) – Tom King has had the Midas Touch, as anything he writes turns into liquid comic book gold.  This militaristic detective story is a solid read.

Bad Moon Rising #5 (451 Media) – The end is near. Only two issues left in the series. It’s Werewolves versus full automatics and Silver Bullets. I got five to one odds on the Biker Werewolves.

Paper Girls #5 (Image Comics) – I’m just waiting for one of the Paper Girls to be like, “I want my two dollars!!” They deserve a little more, after all that they’ve been through so far.

Unfollow #4 (DC Comics/Vertigo) – Bruce Lee’s Game of Death meets Social Media as the Chosen gather together to thin the herd. Or will they rise above their human faults?

The Walking Dead #151 (Image Comics) – Who cares that  I am front running on the Zombie genre.  A real war is coming as General Rick builds his army.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Johnny Red #4 (Titan Comics) – This seriously has gotten better and better with each issue and has been filled with action and a lot of touching interaction of the characters. Garth Ennis is knocking it out of the park with this series focused on an English pilot leading a Russian squad in WWII. The story is good, and the art is even more amazing. Some of the two page spreads are just jaw dropping.

Last Man: The Chase (First Second) – Such a fun graphic novel series. I’m excited to see more and more as the world is expanded upon and we learn what’s going on. It’s a hell of a mystery so far with small clues that make you scratch your head.

Nailbiter #20 (Image Comics) – One of my favorite series. This arc has some of the cast in Georgia trying to catch a serial killer who may have ties to Buckaroo. Just a fun comic about serial killers.

Princeless: Raven Pirate Princess #5 (Action Lab Entertainment) – Somehow this spinoff series has surpassed the original it came out of. Raven is one of my favorite new characters of the past few years and the fun flows off the page. Every issue has delivered.

Tomboy #3 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – Princeless for adults? This series has a teenage girl turned vigilante. The first two issues blew me away and I can’t wait to read the third. This is one that was one of my favorite debuts of 2015.

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