THE SACRIFICERS #8, by Image Comics on 5/8/24, follows Pigeon as he returns to find a world in chaos after the feud among the gods wreaks havoc and destruction.
Credits:
- Writer: Rick Remender
- Artist: Max Fiumara
- Colorist: Dave McCaig
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Max Fiumara
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: May 8, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THE SACRIFICERS #8:
Plot Analysis:
If there’s one thing Rick Remender knows how to do, it’s hit you with a mega-gut punch at the end of every issue. The Sacrificers #8 pours on the tragedy of Pigeon’s return until it pushes him to snap.
Previously in The Sacrificers #7, we followed Soluna’s desperate escape through the wilderness after most of her godly power was drained by the Engineer. Weakened to mortal levels, Soluna fought predators and nature to reach high ground, but a dark entity appeared ready to take advantage of a vulnerable godling.
In The Sacrificers #8, we catch up with Pigeon as he makes the long, slow trek home to find his family. Hitching a ride on a wagon driven by a kindly old man, Pigeon sees the lands devastated by raging storms, moonless skies, and town after town of frightened villagers.
When Pigeon and the old man part ways, Pigeon walks on with only his doubts about what he witnessed and how the accident of his escape changed him. Eventually, he arrives at Beatrice’s home, only to find the place destroyed and nothing left alive.
Pigeon moves on to the city surrounding the King’s palace. The tsunami unleashed in the previous issue devastated most of the surrounding areas. When the people recognize Pigeon, they begin cursing and chasing him, believing that he shirked his duty as a Sacrifice, and their destruction is their punishment. Pigeon runs to the King’s palace where he’s angrily met by the Chief Priest before passing out.
Later, the Chief Priest berates and curses Pigeon for his cowardice. The King fled to high ground, leaving the Chief Priest in charge, but he refused to listen to the truth of Pigeon’s story. Exhausted, hopeless, and believing that his family is dead, Pigeon agrees to the Chief Priest’s demand that he submit to ritual sacrifice to appease the gods.
At the appointed hour, Pigeon steps into the coliseum where the Chief Priest awaits, wearing ritual armor and carrying a very large axe. Ritual sacrifices, however, don’t always go as planned.
Character Development:
More than any previous issue, The Sacrificers #8 is the part of the story where Pigeon stops following what he’s told to do and takes control of his life. The last several moments are the “Hell, Yeah!” moment readers have been waiting for, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
Artwork and Presentation:
Oy! It’s impossible to fully express how well Max Fiumara’s art pairs with this story. Pigeon runs the gamut from tragically defeated to determined anger in a matter of moments, and you believe every second of it. Yes, the character designs and whimsical architecture are amazing, but it’s Fiumara’s ability to convey emotion that elevates this art so spectacularly.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
There’s almost no point in talking about the pacing and plot structure from Rick Remender. The pace builds and builds as Pigeon travels to the heart of the kingdom, witnessing increasing levels of death and destruction with every mile he travels. By the time Pigeon reaches the castle, it feels like the weight of the world is Pigeon’s to carry, but at no point does that weight translate to a slow, laborious pace or confusing script.
Thematic Exploration:
Thematically, this issue is the fantasy equivalent of the Acceptance Prayer. Pigeon comes to accept what he cannot change, what he can and must change, and the difference between the two. The gods have done the world dirty, and Pigeon finally refuses to accept responsibility for it.
Final Thoughts:
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THE SACRIFICERS #8 hits you like a freight train when Pigeon’s surprise return sparks outrage, heartbreak, and zealotry. Rick Remender’s tale of a lost soul accepting his place in the world is a powerhouse, and Max Fiumara’s emotionally impactful art is gorgeous.
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