Comic Review: The Wicked + The Divine #44

The Wicked + The Divine #44

Image Comics

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Art: Jamie McKelvie & Matt D. Wilson

In a quick chapter, we’re prepared for the finale of the magic and wonder we were presented through The Wicked + The Divine. It is weird to see this series concluding at last, but it seems we’ll be getting a just and satisfying ending.

In the last issue, everyone’s figured out Ananke’s plan and decided to resign their divinity and accepted that they’re “gifted mortals”, except for Lucifer. She is still convinced that she can not be anyone else if not Lucifer, fallen angel, who cannot be saved. It is up to Laura, who is closest to Lucifer to try and save her. There’s also a conclusion for Minerva/Ananke as she dealt with by everyone.

In this chapter, Gillen appears to have focused on some rather superficial story elements to conclude. We get the ending for Minerva’s plot, to the pantheon’s deity and a pretty neat character development on Lucifer’s part. The issue is a very quick read since it’s very straight forward. Everything is settled swiftly in order to set up the next issue, which I believe will wrap the series beautifully. Other than that, Gillen’s writing is a delight to read as always. The author is able to fit comedy in a desperate moment and make it feel like everyone (characters and reader) needed that moment. He then manages to transition to an instigating end of the chapter which guarantees we’re gonna pick up the final issue.

As always, the art in this comic book is sublime on both penciling and coloring. McKelvie does a wonderful job with the facial expressions on this issue having them range from angry, to mad, to confused and then to sad on a single panel (with different characters). Many emotional reactions towards a single moment and yet they’re all really well represented and instantly comprehensible given the situation. There’s also very cool and creepy imagery in a throwback to the “ascending” scenes the characters had when they became gods. Except now is Laura who “descends” into hell to try and save Lucifer from herself. Just as usual, Wilson’s work complements the artwork fantastically. His lighting is spectacular as usual. There is a key moment with a lot of fire in this chapter (Laura’s descent, mentioned above) and Wilson just gives it the perfect gradient coloring, brightening up the panel elements as they get closer to the fire.

This chapter contains the resolution of many elements the series presented us, yet not quite satisfyingly. However, it wraps up nicely what needed to be finished in order to explore the pantheon’s future in the next issue. It’s been a fantastical ride from an amazing creative team and I’m quite certainly going to feel a bit sad when it concludes on the next issue.