"GIFT OF THE GODS"
Writer: Bob Harras | Penciler: Steve Epting
Inker/Colorist: Tom Palmer | Letterer: Bill Oakley
Editor: Ralph Macchio | Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
Writer: Bob Harras | Penciler: Steve Epting
Inker/Colorist: Tom Palmer | Letterer: Bill Oakley
Editor: Ralph Macchio | Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
There, they are greeted by the girl, Astra, who was to be executed to appease the gods. But to the horror of the Avengers and Arkon, the noble Anskar kills Astra anyway, proclaiming that the only way the Avengers could have saved the day was with the blessing and guidance of the gods, and that there must still be tribute for this kindness. Enraged, Sersi annihilates Anskar where he stands.
Continuity Notes: There are two epilogues to this issue -- in the first, Jarvis and Marilla, out for a walk with Luna in Central Park, run across Taylor Madison. After a brief chat, she asks them not to tell Hercules that they saw her, and then departs. Marilla observes that Taylor is in pain. Then, Magdalene, Cassandra, and Sloth return from a Gathering with a mystery being, and find that Proctor has activated a former Gatherer known as Tabula, who he says will help to retrieve the Swordsman.
It's crazy hot on Polemachus, so our heros spend the majority of the issue stripped down (Sersi isn't wearing her jacket, Crystal is in a T-shirt, and Black Knight has doffed his chainmail, wearing only his tunic with no helmet).
Even though they were abducted along with Arkon via teleportation last issue, somehow the Avengers have a Quinjet in this one. Even odder, when the issue begins, they're in some kind of random ship, and then later they're in the Quinjet.
My Thoughts: Okay, we're back to the whole "code against killing" thing. I talked about this somewhat when the Avengers executed the Supreme Intelligence several issues back. In this case, I do think Sersi overreacts when she kills Anskar. Even though he just murdered a girl in cold blood, and even though he was kind of an A-hole in the previous chapter, he was acting according to the mores of his society here. If anything, as I suggested regarding the Supreme Intelligence, the Avengers should have simply turned Anskar over to Arkon for judgment.
But that said, I personally was quite happy to see Anskar get offed, because what he does in the final couple pages is reprehensible and needless. However, I'm a little surprised that all the Avengers seem horrified by Sersi's action here. Even Hercules, a god who probably knows Astra's execution was unnecessary. Even Black Widow, a one-time cold-blooded spy. It's just odd to me that they all seem so put off by this murderer getting killed in retribution for what he did. Like, I feel like their immesiate reaction should be something like, "Way to go, Sersi!" Followed by, "Uhh... maybe that was a little bit of overkill, though..."
ReplyDeleteA perennial complaint of mine about this era is that I really wish the logline atop the first page would be set in more easily readable type, and boxed off as well, like the old days. Here the last row of text is closer to the panels below it than to the row of text above, which is just bad design.
// the noble Anskar kills Astra //
I didn’t get right away that you meant he was literally a nobleman — his actions were so shockingly horrific that I applauded Sersi’s response.
// Crystal and Sersi use their powers in tandem //
Harras’ narration describing Sersi’s manipulation of the energy is well done but I still half-expected it to go fully Claremont on a dime.
// Black Knight has doffed his chainmail, wearing only his tunic with no helmet //
And like Crystal a headband to help with the perspiration — making him and Hercules both guys with brown hair, stubble, and headbands. I can tell them apart but don’t understand how that’s less confusing than two guys with beards, one blond and one brunet, never mind Thor’s absence.
// Proctor has activated a former Gatherer //
I hope the Starjammers come back so we can get a Tabula/Raza showdown.
I know what you mean about that logline. If I recall, Marvel used the ubiquitous 1990s font, "Serpentine" for them around this time, and it was really poorly implemented.
Delete"I didn’t get right away that you meant he was literally a nobleman..."
Huh. I'm gonna change that, because I totally see what you mean!
"I hope the Starjammers come back so we can get a Tabula/Raza showdown."
I love this. You should print it out and frame it!
Funny thing -- later, on at least one occasion, Tabula is referred to by the full name Tabula Rasa, but in these early appearances, he's just called Tabula. Personally, I like Tabula better. It works in a "less is more" sort of way. You can understand the reference without needing the full phrase to explain it.
Yeah, Serpentine was/is everywhere from the side of police cars to the Danger Girl logo. Not only doesn’t it work well at a small size but everything about the way the text is set in those loglines is just awful.
Delete