THE SACRIFICERS #1, from Image Comics on 8/2/23, begins a mythical tale of all creatures great and small, when the gods above expect their sacrifice from the common mortals below.
The Details
- Written by: Rick Remender
- Art by: Max Fiumara
- Colors by: Dave McCaig
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Max Fiumara, Dave McCaig (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 2, 2023
Is It Good?
Whew! THE SACRIFICERS #1 is a lot to unpack. Rick Remender’s tale of gods, mortals, power, and sacrifice teases multiple layers of examination to get your brain gears spinning and your imagination juices flowing. It’s impossible to tell where this series is headed next, but this first issue is an automatic hook.
Remender’s script centers on two families. First, a family of blue, anthropomorphic birds lives a simple life as farmers, pained by the reality that their eldest son will soon be collected as the family’s “sacrificer.” Second, Rokos, the Sun god, prepares to receive his sacrifice, troubled by domestic conflict in the form of a power-hungry wife, a jealous mistress, and a headstrong daughter.
Without getting into any of the critiques, that description alone is worth the price of admission. Remender delivers an emotionally deep presentation on the power of faith, belief, and family, and the pain all three can cause in the same moment for very different reasons.
What’s great about this comic? Remender’s setup grabs your attention instantly with layer upon layer of emotional conflict as each character struggles with what they want against what they can’t have. Truly, the whimsical world and characters Remender sets up with surgical efficiency and precision are impressive.
What’s not so great about this comic? This point isn’t a negative so much as it’s a word of caution. The comic opens up with a scene of abuse, father to son, that some readers might find upsetting. The scene isn’t gratuitous or unnecessary for the story, but it is hard to see.
How’s the art? Amazing. We’ve reviewed a few comics illustrated by Max Fiumara, and this is some of his hardest-hitting, poignant work. When the family is forced to separate, the looks of grief and pain will break your heart. And the fantastical character designs should be absurd, but they look gorgeous.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a family giving thanks before the evening meal. A small noise catches the father’s attention by the window, and he sees his eldest son peeking through. The father charges out to meet his son in the barn, chastising him as he mercilessly whips him with a belt.
Elsewhere, Princess Soluna, daughter of the Sun god Rokos, listens in as her father bickers with his mistress, Xia. The time of the Annual Gala is at hand, and Soluna interrupts the argument to remind her father that she’s now old enough to join. Her father disagrees and sends Soluna away so he can commence the daily rising of the Sun.
We conclude the issue with a daughter’s warning, a sister’s goodbye, and a son’s sacrifice.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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THE SACRIFICERS #1 is a shockingly deep, heartbreaking, whimsical tale about the domestic troubles of a father who happens to be a god, and the painful struggles of a farming father bound by service to the gods. You could spend days unpacking the layers of meaning and messages in Remender’s emotionally deep story, and Fiumara’s art is heart-achingly good.
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