BUG WARS #4, by Image Comics on 5/21/25, sends Slade and Wysta on a journey across the yard to find Wysta’s coven for the answers Slade needs to return home.
Credits:
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Mahmud Asrar
- Colorist: Matthew Wilson
- Letterer: Becca Carey
- Cover Artist: Mahmud Asrar, Matthew Wilson (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: May 21, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (gore, language, nudity)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of BUG WARS #4:
Recap:
When we last left Slade Slaymaker in Bug Wars #3, Slade survived an arena battle against a swarm of giant mosquitoes by figuring out the magic phrase that activated his amulet and imbued whim with the strength of a full-sized human. Afterward, the Mytes swore allegiance to Slade when they discovered he was the son of a legendary hero, Slade’s father – Jim. The issue ended with news traveling fast about Slade’s amulet and whether or not he should be allowed to keep it.
Plot Analysis:
In Bug Wars #4, Slade chooses the deadly path of truth. The issue begins with brief scenes of brutal violence when it’s clear the truce between tribes of Mytes is not so binding if nobody can see what you’re doing. Bee Lords are sprayed with acid when robbed of their precious pollen and honey. Lone travelers are ambushed by Wasp Raiders. Through it all, Slade reluctantly sticks with Wysta as a guide to avoid trouble.
In the quiet moments, Slade resents Wysta for kidnapping him, but Wysta assures him it was an act of survival, and the wise SpyderWytches are the only ones who know how to remove the amulet from Slade’s chest. Slade knows Wysta isn’t telling him the whole truth, but he agrees to follow her if it will lead to answers.
As they travel, Slade and Wysta encounter deadly scavengers, mindless (and larger) insects, and many dangers. Travel becomes perilous when the duo sees armies gathering against Slade’s brother because they believe Slade’s appearance with the amulet is a sign to fight against annihilation. The issue ends when Slade and Wysta reach the Wyrdweb, but their arrival doesn’t play out as the coven planned.
First Impressions:
Writer Jason Aaron pulls back on the gratuitous shock moments and urgent pacing for an issue focusing on world- and character-building. Readers who enjoy this series for Aaron’s clever twists on bugs and barbarian tribes will have more than enough to satisfy them. For everyone else, the issue holds back on the hard-hitting, shocking elements simply to get Slade from point A to B.
Artwork and Presentation:
Mahmoud Asrar’s art style and visual aesthetic are top-notch. Each tribe and sect of warriors (there are quite a few) has a distinctive appearance in their clothes and cultural identification. The fantasy world Asrar crafted looks amazing, so the visual appeal is excellent.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Between Bug Wars and Absolute Superman, you can tell Jason Aaron has a strong heart for building worlds and creating unique histories for his main characters. Here, Aaron regales you with little tidbits and nuggets to leave you with the impression that the world outside your bedroom window is teeming with rich corners waiting to be explored.
The Negatives:
Jason Aaron’s love for world-building in Bug Wars #3 shows some of the same bad habits we also see in Absolute Superman. This issue lacks the strong elements needed to make it a fully realized chapter. Slade and Wysta travel from A to B, exposing to Slade (and the reader) the myriad of elements about this world, but it lacks the oomph of stakes and challenges. You never really feel that Slade wouldn’t reach his destination. His journey is a straight line, and the cliffhanger is soft. Aaron compensated for these shortcomings in previous issues with salacious shock. Without the shock value, the weaknesses of the journey become obvious.
Final Thoughts:
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BUG WARS #4 journeys across the yard to present the myriad of dangers, tribes, and wonders Slade could never believe existed. Jason Aaron’s world-building entry in the series brims with creative thought into building a bug-inspired kingdom, and Mahmoud Asrar’s detailed visual style looks amazing. That said, Aaron pulls back on the shock and urgency, exposing a weak plot.
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