Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers for The Wicked & the Divine #27, as well as previous issues.
Written by: Kieron Gillen
Art by: Jamie McKelvie & Matt Wilson
Publisher: Image Comics
It was anyone’s guess what would happen after Ananke’s death, and it took some time for us to reach that point where the gods would make this decision, though the right motivation did come around. Now they found themselves faced with three choices: fight the evil, inquire about themselves, or anarchy. Some of them fell to obvious choices, though others did catch me off guard given current circumstances. From there it is anyone’s guess the direction The Wicked & The Divine will now take.
Truthfully after what we’ve seen, my attention was instantly drawn to what Baal, Amaterasu, and Minerva would have to go through on their end in order to fight off the darkness. It was hard to see the others actually decide that taking care of this wasn’t their problem. My sympathies quickly go to them because the odds are against them, especially when The Wicked & The Divine #27 is quick to hit them with the reality check that this task is indeed easier said than done. The best thing to come out of their part is that now we have a timeframe and that should be an emotional journey of survival up to that point if they don’t find a way to put a stop to this before then.
For Cass, Dio and Woden it was good to see that research was actually what their objective was. At a time like this, it is good for all to have a good idea as to what their limits are. I mean not only will it create a better understanding of capabilities, but also maybe even find out if there in fact is a way to prevent the major limitation that is their supposed two-year lifespan. Until then this was kind of fun because for Cass this meant knocking her outside of her comfort zone. She is not like the other gods and this was the perfect opportunity to figure out why. Not to mention this was a period to put the spotlight on gods like Dio who for too long fell to the background.
On the side of anarchy I do have to say that what they call anarchy is a bit depressing. Reading that word, my mind jumped straight to chaos, though I guess that would be too easy for any of them. What this path opens them up to is the opportunity to question the things they wouldn’t have been able to while anchored to the rest and their needs. For instance just the little bit we learn about Sakhmet is more than we’ve ever been able to know about her personally in the past.
What’s the most critical about the ‘Imperial Phase’ part five is that now everyone in some way are asking the right questions. We right now need more answers and questions. Pressing forward with this mission for answers keeps us glued to all the little things that will point us in the right direction towards them.
‘Imperial Phase’ is also a time of change for these gods. A lot of them we have seen go through some transformations over time and most of the time this is visually to match their new attitudes. Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson continue to play with this world and how nothing is as it seems on the surface. McKelvie shows consistency with the way these gods like to switch up their styles to capture the way they are in that moment. Some of them even physically take on some changes that raise a brow considering it makes you question some key aspects about their time left on this Earth. In general, we see more human elements to them that brings out this vulnerability that they are all subject to.
Reckless is the least of their problems as the expression on their faces say. Matt Wilson yet again grabs us with some stunning displays of color. Especially now that we are seeing more Dio. There’s something not right with him that I do hope we get to soon, though till then I’m enjoying that we get to see more of the party life that brings out the most wonderful gradients and mixtures. Baal’s entrances continue to be spot on because of the way he bursts into action in a blaze of white and pink. Then you have the colors which bring out a unique ability that we didn’t know Baph had till now.
This month’s The Wicked & The Divine picks up the pace with a lot of things that its time to address and explore. The ‘Imperial Phase’ is the phase for answers, and while we’re sure to walk out with a few questions here and there this is the time for us to blow open the doors to what is still relatively unknown.
