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The Wicked + The Divine #9
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 9: Okay
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2019)After five years, we reach the final volume. We go not gentle into that good night, but go driving a converted tank, covered in glitter and spangles, with a soundsystem audible from Mars blaring nothing but bangers. Gods, pop stars, an ending. We'll miss you.
Collects THE WICKED +THE DIVINE #40-45
Collects THE WICKED +THE DIVINE #40-45
168 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2019
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,390 books1,837 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
March 14, 2023
The journey is now complete, every 90 years 12 young people are made into gods, within two year they are all dead. As a reader of comic book serials for over four decades I feel that this doesn't really deliver to the standard that the opening volumes set, but this isn't about old men in their 50s like me, it's about the young people that are the target audience? This is what us readers need to appreciate on many occasions we are not the target audience, the art was gorgeous, the world building was glorious and it has a real definitive ending.
Just like Chris Claremont's X-Men and Frank Miller's Daredevil had a massive impact on my generations' comic book reading lives, so did this exemplary series for those that reached teenage years in the 2010s, although for me this still gets a highly competent 8 out of 12, Four Stars, this is something special a gateway comic book series for a diverse inclusive and young audience, that inspired by their communal experience reading and social media-ing about this series will inspire creatives in the future as well as truly impacting peoples' lives in the present. One of the best serials of the 2010s.
2023 read
Just like Chris Claremont's X-Men and Frank Miller's Daredevil had a massive impact on my generations' comic book reading lives, so did this exemplary series for those that reached teenage years in the 2010s, although for me this still gets a highly competent 8 out of 12, Four Stars, this is something special a gateway comic book series for a diverse inclusive and young audience, that inspired by their communal experience reading and social media-ing about this series will inspire creatives in the future as well as truly impacting peoples' lives in the present. One of the best serials of the 2010s.
2023 read
September 5, 2019
So this is it, the end of The Wicked + The Divine. The end of an era, Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s magnum opus five years in the making. A book that got me into comics, the one I’ve been following from the start, my first ongoing series, and for the longest time my favorite. This book means so much to me, and I’m definitely a bit sad that it is over, though I’m also kinda relieved.
Yes, I freely admit that the series lost its way a bit midway through — I actually went back and re-read the entire series before the finale, and the two-part Imperial Phase especially is an absolute pain that made me question why I was reading WicDiv in the first place.
But was it wort it? To me, absolutely, despite everything. After the almost unbearable volumes 5 and 6, volume 7 was a fantastic return to form and arguably the best book in the series, and the actual finale here, in volume 9 is also really good... for the most part. In a way, it’s everything the series has been throughout its run — beautiful, bombastic, creative and heartfelt, but also a bit frustrating, vague, confusing, weirdly paced and overstuffed with twists and dramatic reveals that are walked back as quickly as they are introduced. Certain things were left unsaid, which disappointed me, and the actual final issue was... well, I can see why it is the way it is, and the message behind it was beautiful, but story-wise it just felt empty — and, frankly, Imperial Phase did so much damage to these characters that in my eyes none of them fully recovered, so I really struggled to care about them the way I was supposed to towards the end. And yet I can’t say I didn’t like the ending — it was satisfying and wrapped up all the important things with grace and grandeur, for better or for worse.
Visually, what more can I say about Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles? The guys are masters of their craft and are unreservedly top-tier comics creators of all time. McKelvie physically suffered for his art, going through severe pain that caused multiple delays on final issues. And it’s honestly the best work of his career, the guy deserves an Eisner and every other comic art award for his exquisite craft.
So yeah, here we are. The end of an era. WicDiv is the book that started it all for me, we’ve been through a lot together and I’m going to miss it dearly. It kind of feels like saying goodbye to a friend. Farewell, WicDiv. And thank you to the entire team who made this book the wild ride that it was.
Yes, I freely admit that the series lost its way a bit midway through — I actually went back and re-read the entire series before the finale, and the two-part Imperial Phase especially is an absolute pain that made me question why I was reading WicDiv in the first place.
But was it wort it? To me, absolutely, despite everything. After the almost unbearable volumes 5 and 6, volume 7 was a fantastic return to form and arguably the best book in the series, and the actual finale here, in volume 9 is also really good... for the most part. In a way, it’s everything the series has been throughout its run — beautiful, bombastic, creative and heartfelt, but also a bit frustrating, vague, confusing, weirdly paced and overstuffed with twists and dramatic reveals that are walked back as quickly as they are introduced. Certain things were left unsaid, which disappointed me, and the actual final issue was... well, I can see why it is the way it is, and the message behind it was beautiful, but story-wise it just felt empty — and, frankly, Imperial Phase did so much damage to these characters that in my eyes none of them fully recovered, so I really struggled to care about them the way I was supposed to towards the end. And yet I can’t say I didn’t like the ending — it was satisfying and wrapped up all the important things with grace and grandeur, for better or for worse.
Visually, what more can I say about Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles? The guys are masters of their craft and are unreservedly top-tier comics creators of all time. McKelvie physically suffered for his art, going through severe pain that caused multiple delays on final issues. And it’s honestly the best work of his career, the guy deserves an Eisner and every other comic art award for his exquisite craft.
So yeah, here we are. The end of an era. WicDiv is the book that started it all for me, we’ve been through a lot together and I’m going to miss it dearly. It kind of feels like saying goodbye to a friend. Farewell, WicDiv. And thank you to the entire team who made this book the wild ride that it was.
October 3, 2019
5+ out of 5.
Fuck off, it's perfect. It's a perfect ending, one that clears up so much of the confusing mythos of the series thus far -- and it does it in ways that made me gasp. The ending, in particular, is one of the most transcendent moments in literature imho.
Burn bright, if you must -- but learning how to burn longer is far, far more important.
Fuck off, it's perfect. It's a perfect ending, one that clears up so much of the confusing mythos of the series thus far -- and it does it in ways that made me gasp. The ending, in particular, is one of the most transcendent moments in literature imho.
Burn bright, if you must -- but learning how to burn longer is far, far more important.
February 1, 2020
On the back cover artist Jamie McKelvie is quoted as saying, "I've been drawing this book for five years, the least you can do is read it." It's meant to be funny, but at this point it truly is the only reason I bothered to read this book through to the end. The story lost me a few volumes back, and getting meta this go-round doesn't win me back.
Here's hoping McKelvie spends the next five years applying his gorgeous artwork to something more worthy of it.
Here's hoping McKelvie spends the next five years applying his gorgeous artwork to something more worthy of it.
November 27, 2019
Wicked+ The Divine elicited mixed feelings from me as a series. Some hits and misses. Most of the home runs were in the latter part of the series. Overall, I'd say it was worth powering through the beginning to get to the end.
The premise leads to intriguing developments. The characterization took time, but was well-realized by the end. However the premise could have been explored even further when all is said and done. The first volume laid the groundwork, but the following volumes meandered a little. By the time we start to see how godhood and resultant death effects our teenage leads, several volumes have elapsed. Even then the excellent vignettes are slow-burns that only congeal in the final 2 volumes. Good pacing would have made the most of this great idea.
Characters like Baal and Baphomet had depth. Baal was a great blend of flaws and strength, with some of his strengths becoming flaws when pushed to far. He felt the most human of the entire cast and his decisions added weight and impact to the story in my opinion. Baphomet was just as interesting. He started and ended the story in two different places and his journey and final decision were believable. It is hard to say as much about other characters. Laura has her moments and she is good in the last 2 volumes. But as a main character, she did little for 2/3 of the story, with only one decision having any weight. I like to see characters live with their decisions, but without stretching it to the point of melodrama.
The art is impressive overall. And it compounds dynamically as the story progresses. The coloring, ink, and line work all work together to make a pleasing aesthetic that is expressive and kinetic. The art does a lot of the heavy lifting whenever the writing fizzles.
The themes come through, thankfully, in the last few volumes. The series concerns itself with the nature of the stories we tell ourselves and how we let them influence us. The best volume was Mothering Invention, where the themes of realizing our weaknesses and regressing to progress are communicated exquisitely. Elsewhere the themes are buried by some unrealistic dialogue, scenes, and side plots.
The Wicked+ The Divine starts slow, but finishes strong. Not a comic for kids. But its depiction of excess serves the plot. Some shock value and an increasing artistic flair are other reasons to recommend the series. Or not. Depending on your taste.
The premise leads to intriguing developments. The characterization took time, but was well-realized by the end. However the premise could have been explored even further when all is said and done. The first volume laid the groundwork, but the following volumes meandered a little. By the time we start to see how godhood and resultant death effects our teenage leads, several volumes have elapsed. Even then the excellent vignettes are slow-burns that only congeal in the final 2 volumes. Good pacing would have made the most of this great idea.
Characters like Baal and Baphomet had depth. Baal was a great blend of flaws and strength, with some of his strengths becoming flaws when pushed to far. He felt the most human of the entire cast and his decisions added weight and impact to the story in my opinion. Baphomet was just as interesting. He started and ended the story in two different places and his journey and final decision were believable. It is hard to say as much about other characters. Laura has her moments and she is good in the last 2 volumes. But as a main character, she did little for 2/3 of the story, with only one decision having any weight. I like to see characters live with their decisions, but without stretching it to the point of melodrama.
The art is impressive overall. And it compounds dynamically as the story progresses. The coloring, ink, and line work all work together to make a pleasing aesthetic that is expressive and kinetic. The art does a lot of the heavy lifting whenever the writing fizzles.
The themes come through, thankfully, in the last few volumes. The series concerns itself with the nature of the stories we tell ourselves and how we let them influence us. The best volume was Mothering Invention, where the themes of realizing our weaknesses and regressing to progress are communicated exquisitely. Elsewhere the themes are buried by some unrealistic dialogue, scenes, and side plots.
The Wicked+ The Divine starts slow, but finishes strong. Not a comic for kids. But its depiction of excess serves the plot. Some shock value and an increasing artistic flair are other reasons to recommend the series. Or not. Depending on your taste.
June 24, 2020
Oh, hey, the title is actually = the rating.
It's okay. I am not raging, or disappointed. It is an ambitious series, after all. The plots got me confused five books ago, and the final reveal was tepid. This however has hope in other mediums, like TV. A great screenwriter however could get this right, streamlining the stories, untangle and cut the convoluted threads. The characters were distinct, some of them no matter how despicable actually had depth, most are effed up enough to create some exciting drama - with all the pop stars stuff and awesome effects, I could smell a great Netflix series.
Is the series worth it? Depends. The story was almost not digestible. The characters while interesting could be infuriating. But I held on since the art work and the coloring were great.The artist Jamie McKelvie, jokingly said at the end of the book, “I’ve been drawing this book for five years, the least you could do is read it.” I did, Jamie. I did it for you.
It's okay. I am not raging, or disappointed. It is an ambitious series, after all. The plots got me confused five books ago, and the final reveal was tepid. This however has hope in other mediums, like TV. A great screenwriter however could get this right, streamlining the stories, untangle and cut the convoluted threads. The characters were distinct, some of them no matter how despicable actually had depth, most are effed up enough to create some exciting drama - with all the pop stars stuff and awesome effects, I could smell a great Netflix series.
Is the series worth it? Depends. The story was almost not digestible. The characters while interesting could be infuriating. But I held on since the art work and the coloring were great.The artist Jamie McKelvie, jokingly said at the end of the book, “I’ve been drawing this book for five years, the least you could do is read it.” I did, Jamie. I did it for you.
October 7, 2019
General concept spoilers because it'll be hard to talk about this book otherwise.
"The Prometheus gambit? To kill someone and get a god's powers? We were all doing that. We were killing ourselves to become something worth believing in."
For a series that slogged through five years and eight volumes of hedonism, violence, and various and sundry self-destructive behaviors, "Okay" is a remarkably chill book. There's only one real page of battle, and on that page Gillen even calls out the readers for our tendency to demand violent conflict from our comics at the expense of distancing ourselves from the true cost of that violence. Laura Wilson is telling this story and that's not what she craves anymore, and she spends this book asking us to take a healing journey with her.
This volume returns to its roots: why did Laura and the others want to be gods in the first place? What would they be doing with their gifts if Ananke hadn't been pitting them against each other since their inception?
They'd love each other, help each other, and perform.
This is a book about breaking out of destructive cycles. It's about embracing yourself and your gifts and telling your own unique story rather than fitting into someone else's expectations. It's about rejecting the notion that creativity and art have to be born from pain. It's about what people, sometimes even the people who seem the most terrible, can accomplish given an inch of grace. It's about rejecting the white whale of quick and easy fame and embarking on the hard work required to be successful.
It's a surprisingly fulfilling, beautiful, and even sweet finale to a story that's been largely cynical, and that finale comes about because Laura finds her healing and brings everyone else back from the brink with her.
"There's no short cuts. There's only the work."
"The Prometheus gambit? To kill someone and get a god's powers? We were all doing that. We were killing ourselves to become something worth believing in."
For a series that slogged through five years and eight volumes of hedonism, violence, and various and sundry self-destructive behaviors, "Okay" is a remarkably chill book. There's only one real page of battle, and on that page Gillen even calls out the readers for our tendency to demand violent conflict from our comics at the expense of distancing ourselves from the true cost of that violence. Laura Wilson is telling this story and that's not what she craves anymore, and she spends this book asking us to take a healing journey with her.
This volume returns to its roots: why did Laura and the others want to be gods in the first place? What would they be doing with their gifts if Ananke hadn't been pitting them against each other since their inception?
They'd love each other, help each other, and perform.
This is a book about breaking out of destructive cycles. It's about embracing yourself and your gifts and telling your own unique story rather than fitting into someone else's expectations. It's about rejecting the notion that creativity and art have to be born from pain. It's about what people, sometimes even the people who seem the most terrible, can accomplish given an inch of grace. It's about rejecting the white whale of quick and easy fame and embarking on the hard work required to be successful.
It's a surprisingly fulfilling, beautiful, and even sweet finale to a story that's been largely cynical, and that finale comes about because Laura finds her healing and brings everyone else back from the brink with her.
"There's no short cuts. There's only the work."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
This series was dumb. Pretty, but asinine. It did not make a cohesive story, break molds or even keep to its own internal bullshit.
Find a child. Ask them to tell you a story, and get an incredible artist to illustrate it. It will be much more coherent and rewarding.
Find a child. Ask them to tell you a story, and get an incredible artist to illustrate it. It will be much more coherent and rewarding.
November 1, 2019
While I loved the first 2 volumes, I enjoyed it less as it continued. Still I pushed on through.
June 15, 2023
I didn't think it could get much weirder than Sandman, and boy was I wrong. Still not sure if this series went over my head or was just pretentious enough to make me *think* I didn't understand what was going on. Gorgeous artwork all the way through. I liked the breaking-the-cycle decision. Laura's going to stick with me for a long time.
January 26, 2020
Me ha encantado esta serie.
Todos los personajes son geniales y están bien definidos. La historia es muy original, nunca había leído nada parecido.
Me da mucha pena que acabe, espero que el autor tenga preparado algo más acerca de este mundo.
Todos los personajes son geniales y están bien definidos. La historia es muy original, nunca había leído nada parecido.
Me da mucha pena que acabe, espero que el autor tenga preparado algo más acerca de este mundo.
Read
September 7, 2019The end of 6,000 years, or looked at another way, five. In which two guys I knew before they were even cult figures pulled off the Ziggy Stardust gambit, and told a story about fame that made them famous - but not just famous, because much like the characters this also saw them ascending to a whole other level creatively, with issues that should have felt like jokes or gimmicks but instead served as reminders that comics can do so much more than people usually let them. After which, this is where it all pays off - and for the most part it really does. Whatever my quibbles with the metaphysics and the alternate history of the premise, the characters have always been solid and alive and oh so true. Combine that with how long we've been living with them, and how could their final acts not have this impact? There are so many perfect moments here: Baal's plan; the realisation that maybe knowing you're the destroyer could be the first stop to not being the destroyer; 'Don't make 'then' now. Don't make 'then' forever.' The face on those three clicks. The new looks. Yes, maybe sometimes we are getting morals like we used to at the end of a Saturday morning cartoon, except that here they feel wise and earned, not sappy and pat. It's helps that it's utterly beautiful; McKelvie has become one of the few artists in comics who can reliably deliver a big emotional beat without the panel needing a word to explain it. Meanwhile, Gillen is hiding terrible puns in the very structure of the story, explained only in the writer's notes (the temple of love is falling down, indeed).
WicDiv's gods have always and openly been a metaphor through which to talk about the experience of being a creator or artist of any sort, and even if I never entirely bought into the in-world grounding of that, they do enable moments of brilliant insight, not least in the issue about those who try to step away from the brink, while realising that you can never come all the way back:
"No one who didn't think they were special could stand in front of all those people, take their money and do the bullshit you did."
And even if ultimately this was a story about choosing humanity over the art and the myth, oh, the art and the myth they paradoxically wove from that.
WicDiv's gods have always and openly been a metaphor through which to talk about the experience of being a creator or artist of any sort, and even if I never entirely bought into the in-world grounding of that, they do enable moments of brilliant insight, not least in the issue about those who try to step away from the brink, while realising that you can never come all the way back:
"No one who didn't think they were special could stand in front of all those people, take their money and do the bullshit you did."
And even if ultimately this was a story about choosing humanity over the art and the myth, oh, the art and the myth they paradoxically wove from that.
January 3, 2020
Actually, the name of this volume should be "oooh-KAY?!?" For a book about teenage popstar gods with a death pact, this series became way too talky, tedious, insular, and (the ultimate sin) boring. I know people with more interesting drama and more creative stuff going on in their lives than these "characters". The big reveal had been revealed in the past couple volumes, and despite centuries wherein to develop a backstory, there just isn't much there. Essentially a series about a click of mopey, trust-fund kids, who have no other friends, sharing a loft. And really... all the worlds' pop gods are British?? Nope. Sure, Lucifer is the real star of the series, but she ultimately had nothing to do. I'm just mad because I stuck around for the whole series. The first volume was a cool debut like FKA twigs LP1, but this was just,... like the equivalent of Weezer's Black Album.
October 25, 2022
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
AS IS HEAVEN
"Okay" is an under-fucking-statement! That was one of the most unexpected and perfect series finales I've ever read. Now that's how you write a story about breaking the cycle.
AS IS HEAVEN
"Okay" is an under-fucking-statement! That was one of the most unexpected and perfect series finales I've ever read. Now that's how you write a story about breaking the cycle.
May 28, 2021
wow. i don’t really know what to say.
i kinda consider wicdiv as the book that got me into print comics, that taught me i could obsess over and adore and be emotionally invested in characters and storylines the way i cared about those in novels. i’ve spent hours discussing character design and development. i’ve waited anxiously for 5 of the 9 books in this series to come out. however, as the story progressed, i felt myself losing track of it. and, maybe because of that, this ending didn’t hit as hard as i was expecting.
i want just a bit more clarity. i want to understand the gods powers a little better. i want to feel like i really know what’s going on, what has happened, rather than constantly scouring every but of text to try to reach a plot epiphany that never really occurs.
i’m grateful for wicdiv. really, i am. the characters are stellar. the concept is wonderful. there is kissing and angst and moments that feel cinematic in their composition. stupid young adults trying to do stupidly big things. it’s everything i love, in theory, and still kind of is. however, there are too many loose threads left at the end, or connections so faint that i couldn’t pick them up. i’m going to reread the whole series again after the ending, of course. i’m just sad that it will be for clarity and understanding, rather than solely for the ability to enjoy the series again.
i kinda consider wicdiv as the book that got me into print comics, that taught me i could obsess over and adore and be emotionally invested in characters and storylines the way i cared about those in novels. i’ve spent hours discussing character design and development. i’ve waited anxiously for 5 of the 9 books in this series to come out. however, as the story progressed, i felt myself losing track of it. and, maybe because of that, this ending didn’t hit as hard as i was expecting.
i want just a bit more clarity. i want to understand the gods powers a little better. i want to feel like i really know what’s going on, what has happened, rather than constantly scouring every but of text to try to reach a plot epiphany that never really occurs.
i’m grateful for wicdiv. really, i am. the characters are stellar. the concept is wonderful. there is kissing and angst and moments that feel cinematic in their composition. stupid young adults trying to do stupidly big things. it’s everything i love, in theory, and still kind of is. however, there are too many loose threads left at the end, or connections so faint that i couldn’t pick them up. i’m going to reread the whole series again after the ending, of course. i’m just sad that it will be for clarity and understanding, rather than solely for the ability to enjoy the series again.
November 19, 2019
A decent end to a confusing and beautiful series. I really want to go back and read them all the way through, make a flow chart, read some critiques online, and basically fully immerse myself in this adventure to catch all the things I’ve missed.
August 22, 2020
4.5 stars
November 13, 2019
Wow, what an ending! I've been following this series since the first volume came out and it was definitely one of the most unique comic book series I've ever read! There were ups and downs throughout, but the story and characters always sucked me in! Going in, I didn't know how the creative team was going to do a finale to a series that was basically the game of thrones of comics for me but unlike GoT, this one actually had a good ending! All I can say is Kieron Gillen's writing and Jamie McKelvie artwork go together like Peanut butter and jelly, and they definitely ended this series with a bang!
Very cryptic review, but what I'm basically saying is this was a great finale to this series and I think fans will love it! It will be interesting to go back 5-10 years down the line and reread this series from start to finish again!
Very cryptic review, but what I'm basically saying is this was a great finale to this series and I think fans will love it! It will be interesting to go back 5-10 years down the line and reread this series from start to finish again!
October 3, 2021
ok. ok. ok ok ok ok ok. i . should probably write a real & long & emotional review, because for once i actually have coherent things to say about wicdiv and specifically this issue of wicdiv and the themes and the way the last few issues and especially the very last one reached into my brain and actively wrenched shit around in there. but i do not want to get into the very personal way this volume just affected me in a goodreads review. so instead i'm just. going to say that i finished this, physically got up, walked to the open part of my dorm room, and laid down in the fetal position on the floor. thanks, wicdiv. i'm still crying a little
🎵Laura — Bat For Lashes🎵
🎵Laura — Bat For Lashes🎵
June 8, 2020
The finale
The end
Huh
It was a bit... Unexpected
With the way things were going I never thought it would turn out like this.
That said. I am satisfied with the ending
My heart is full seeing how my favourites have grown
I love Laura to pieces
I am not saddened this story is ending
I am feeling a lot of hope and warmth
And I know I will return to it.
The end
Huh
It was a bit... Unexpected
With the way things were going I never thought it would turn out like this.
That said. I am satisfied with the ending
My heart is full seeing how my favourites have grown
I love Laura to pieces
I am not saddened this story is ending
I am feeling a lot of hope and warmth
And I know I will return to it.
November 19, 2019
This was one one of the most satisfying ending of a series I got to read
March 13, 2021
3.5 stars
July 21, 2024
3.5/5 stars
June 17, 2020
*** This review contains many many spoilers ***
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars).
I basically binge read this entire series in one day with the exception of volume 1. I guess I truly needed to know what happened next and in all honesty it was the best decision ever since this volume is now one of my all time favourites. Haha, me binge reading this series might drag down my average page count of this year but I honestly don't even care about that anymore since this volume WAS THAT FUCKING GOOD and here's why:
It was the perfect ending for me and everything I could have wished for. It is absolutely 100% my favourite volume. This series simply went out with a great fucking magnificent bang and I couldn't and wouldn't have wished for anything else.
The back of this volume was hilarious too😂😂 the creators shamelessly plugging their own series in such a hilarious way and I'm never ever getting over the fact that Matt Wilson said: "There's a lot of pink in this book, but for me, insufficient pink. MORE PINK!" And I honestly couldn't agree more with Wilson since I also WANTED NEEDED MORE PINK!
Besides, all my questions got answered.
Baph/Nergal's death killed me since he quickly became one of my favourite characters. I did love how he sacrificed himself for Dio because he was such a sweet pea and he definitely didn't deserve death. R.I.P. my babe Cameron/Baphomet/Nergal.
Also, incredibly happy that the cutie, precious Inanna got revived too. Inanna and Dio were just the purest and sweetest characters and I'm super glad they were brought back. Also, Tara finally got a point/role😂😂
I also think that Minerva or should I say Annanke got everything they deserved. I actually loved how Baal offed her. I initially thought he was saving her but then I read it again and I was like HAHAHA HE IS ACTUALLY KILLING THE BITCH, LOL. Minerva-Annanke definitely got what she deserved (still had a killer look though as Minerva). Also, Baal jumping of the building with psycho Minerva-Annanke was the perfect redemption arc for him. There was honestly no way the dude could have stayed alive after what he had done. He did murder a lot of kiddos and tried to slaughter 20.000 including his own momma to end the darkness that never existed.
The fake rapey Woden who decapitated his own son actually deserved what he got too. I sincerely applauded the Valkyries for tearing him apart.
Beth was sooo fucking annoying and sincerely needed to get a life.
I've realised that I do actually like Laura despite her problematic ass at times but my girl really put through the end. From almost the very beginning until the end was she a freaking badass. And besides she was always a freaking fashion icon. I loooooved all of her outfits and even her new look was to die for.
I'm also still not over the fact that they weren't actually gods. Like damn... What a freaking mindblown was that. I'm honestly so shook about that.
And the actual ending had me in tears. I always knew Laura had a crush on Lucifer/Eleanor but I actually freaking loved how she ended up being married to Cassandra. That was honestly too cute and I always felt like that there was something there between the two of them. And like Cassandra's funeral destroyed me.
Also, I still have no idea who is the wicked and who is the divine. Maybe nobody in this series is completely divine or that wicked as they thought they were? #brainfart
Overall just that fucking good and one of my favourite comic book series to this day. Volume 9 of the Wicked + the Divine is also the very first comic I've ever rated five stars. It's the very first comic that received a five star rating from me and that's really and accomplish. And lol I thought I had nothing to say about this volume besides how much I loved it. Lol, I was clearly wrong (well not about the loving part since I did 100% love this final, concluding volume of the wicked + the divine. The creators really out did themselves).
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars).
I basically binge read this entire series in one day with the exception of volume 1. I guess I truly needed to know what happened next and in all honesty it was the best decision ever since this volume is now one of my all time favourites. Haha, me binge reading this series might drag down my average page count of this year but I honestly don't even care about that anymore since this volume WAS THAT FUCKING GOOD and here's why:
It was the perfect ending for me and everything I could have wished for. It is absolutely 100% my favourite volume. This series simply went out with a great fucking magnificent bang and I couldn't and wouldn't have wished for anything else.
The back of this volume was hilarious too😂😂 the creators shamelessly plugging their own series in such a hilarious way and I'm never ever getting over the fact that Matt Wilson said: "There's a lot of pink in this book, but for me, insufficient pink. MORE PINK!" And I honestly couldn't agree more with Wilson since I also WANTED NEEDED MORE PINK!
Besides, all my questions got answered.
Baph/Nergal's death killed me since he quickly became one of my favourite characters. I did love how he sacrificed himself for Dio because he was such a sweet pea and he definitely didn't deserve death. R.I.P. my babe Cameron/Baphomet/Nergal.
Also, incredibly happy that the cutie, precious Inanna got revived too. Inanna and Dio were just the purest and sweetest characters and I'm super glad they were brought back. Also, Tara finally got a point/role😂😂
I also think that Minerva or should I say Annanke got everything they deserved. I actually loved how Baal offed her. I initially thought he was saving her but then I read it again and I was like HAHAHA HE IS ACTUALLY KILLING THE BITCH, LOL. Minerva-Annanke definitely got what she deserved (still had a killer look though as Minerva). Also, Baal jumping of the building with psycho Minerva-Annanke was the perfect redemption arc for him. There was honestly no way the dude could have stayed alive after what he had done. He did murder a lot of kiddos and tried to slaughter 20.000 including his own momma to end the darkness that never existed.
The fake rapey Woden who decapitated his own son actually deserved what he got too. I sincerely applauded the Valkyries for tearing him apart.
Beth was sooo fucking annoying and sincerely needed to get a life.
I've realised that I do actually like Laura despite her problematic ass at times but my girl really put through the end. From almost the very beginning until the end was she a freaking badass. And besides she was always a freaking fashion icon. I loooooved all of her outfits and even her new look was to die for.
I'm also still not over the fact that they weren't actually gods. Like damn... What a freaking mindblown was that. I'm honestly so shook about that.
And the actual ending had me in tears. I always knew Laura had a crush on Lucifer/Eleanor but I actually freaking loved how she ended up being married to Cassandra. That was honestly too cute and I always felt like that there was something there between the two of them. And like Cassandra's funeral destroyed me.
Also, I still have no idea who is the wicked and who is the divine. Maybe nobody in this series is completely divine or that wicked as they thought they were? #brainfart
Overall just that fucking good and one of my favourite comic book series to this day. Volume 9 of the Wicked + the Divine is also the very first comic I've ever rated five stars. It's the very first comic that received a five star rating from me and that's really and accomplish. And lol I thought I had nothing to say about this volume besides how much I loved it. Lol, I was clearly wrong (well not about the loving part since I did 100% love this final, concluding volume of the wicked + the divine. The creators really out did themselves).
December 4, 2023
This is it! Can Gillen and McKelvie bring this series to a satisfying close? Since Volume Eight was basically an interlude (although two of the previous historical stories will tie in to this one), we basically are picking up from Volume Seven’s action.
Woden, Minerva and Baal are planning a concert to suck the energy of the Gods and concert-goers to supposedly prevent The Great Darkness, although Baal is but an unknowing pawn in the first two’s evil plan. Sadly, Baal’s justification for this mass murder is due to Ananke’s previous manipulations of him.
Persephone has clued into Ananke’s manipulations and who she is masquerading as. She rallies the remaining Gods to stop the concert…but things don’t go as planned (of course). There are some more reveals, some deaths, some rebirths and a lot of fighting and chaos that occurs as the remaining Gods group together for the final showdown. As I don’t want to spoil the ending or let on who survives and who doesn’t, all I can say the final confrontation is epic. Many puzzle pieces are finally joined together, with connections to the past, but ultimately it is our advanced, modern technological world that finally thwarts Ananke. An epilogue ends the series on a somber note, and its slower pace lets you reflect on the nature of how we perceive others and how we let other’s perceptions of us color ourselves. As Laura, formally Persephone, wisely states, “Dreams aren’t real”.
The art in this series was absolutely divine. For a huge cast of characters, each God was inked with attention to detail and was so incredibly distinctive. The colors added maximum visual impact -with certain hues matching each God’s personality. There were unique panel configurations and the story always flowed. McKelvie, Wilson and Cowles have a partnership that rivals any other artist teams out there, for their style, colors and lettering can’t be beat.
This contemporary fantasy skewered celebrity obsession and media culture in a truly thought-provoking way…and yet, it was so damn confusing at times! There were several times I almost gave up on this nine-volume series, yet I persevered because the unique narrative and outstanding art kept pulling me back in. Ultimately, this series proved to be more divine than wicked, and I’m glad I finished it.
This review (plus V8) can be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2019/10/2...
Woden, Minerva and Baal are planning a concert to suck the energy of the Gods and concert-goers to supposedly prevent The Great Darkness, although Baal is but an unknowing pawn in the first two’s evil plan. Sadly, Baal’s justification for this mass murder is due to Ananke’s previous manipulations of him.
Persephone has clued into Ananke’s manipulations and who she is masquerading as. She rallies the remaining Gods to stop the concert…but things don’t go as planned (of course). There are some more reveals, some deaths, some rebirths and a lot of fighting and chaos that occurs as the remaining Gods group together for the final showdown. As I don’t want to spoil the ending or let on who survives and who doesn’t, all I can say the final confrontation is epic. Many puzzle pieces are finally joined together, with connections to the past, but ultimately it is our advanced, modern technological world that finally thwarts Ananke. An epilogue ends the series on a somber note, and its slower pace lets you reflect on the nature of how we perceive others and how we let other’s perceptions of us color ourselves. As Laura, formally Persephone, wisely states, “Dreams aren’t real”.
The art in this series was absolutely divine. For a huge cast of characters, each God was inked with attention to detail and was so incredibly distinctive. The colors added maximum visual impact -with certain hues matching each God’s personality. There were unique panel configurations and the story always flowed. McKelvie, Wilson and Cowles have a partnership that rivals any other artist teams out there, for their style, colors and lettering can’t be beat.
This contemporary fantasy skewered celebrity obsession and media culture in a truly thought-provoking way…and yet, it was so damn confusing at times! There were several times I almost gave up on this nine-volume series, yet I persevered because the unique narrative and outstanding art kept pulling me back in. Ultimately, this series proved to be more divine than wicked, and I’m glad I finished it.
This review (plus V8) can be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2019/10/2...
October 26, 2019
I was curious enough to stick around till the very end, and my answers were more or less answered in this final volume of the series. The last issue was a beautiful way to end the series… it made me feel nostalgic :)
However, although fairly satisfying, many resolutions felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped (e.g., ).
In general, this series is way more complicated (too vague! too confusing!) and drawn-out (too many detours! too many fillers!) than it needs to be. Also, the entire storyline is overstuffed with long buildups and underwhelming reveals. All in all, I loved the journey but I'm also glad to be done.
Oh, the art, as always, is beautiful: dynamic, expressive... Maybe just a little bit too much sneering, haha
However, although fairly satisfying, many resolutions felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped (e.g., ).
In general, this series is way more complicated (too vague! too confusing!) and drawn-out (too many detours! too many fillers!) than it needs to be. Also, the entire storyline is overstuffed with long buildups and underwhelming reveals. All in all, I loved the journey but I'm also glad to be done.
Oh, the art, as always, is beautiful: dynamic, expressive... Maybe just a little bit too much sneering, haha
November 18, 2019
Here it is, the last volume of a comic series that quickly became a new favorite, if not my very favorite. It was a little bittersweet to read the final volume knowing that this is the last time I'd get to read about these characters. It's always sad to come to the end of a series, especially one you've really come to love. All that being said, I thought this final did leave a little bit to be desired. It felt like all the action happened really fast and before I knew it, we'd moved into an epilogue type situation. It was nice to put those final puzzle pieces together and finally figure exactly why everything that happened happened. But I still wish it had been a little bit longer.
Overall, I loved this series so much and I'm so excited to have read it in its entirety this year. This is a series I definitely see myself going back to and reading again at some point because I just loved it so much.
Overall, I loved this series so much and I'm so excited to have read it in its entirety this year. This is a series I definitely see myself going back to and reading again at some point because I just loved it so much.
March 22, 2020
Reached the end and really enjoyed this series. Twisted, with quite the cast, and a great mythology developed behind the plot.
Really enjoyable all round.
Really enjoyable all round.
May 19, 2021
Damnit, so close, so close, so close.
What the heck was that epilogue??
Ugh, no, first I should focus on everything else. Because I swear - if it weren't for that stupid epilogue, I would've loved this. I would've bought the whole series and been okay with all of the stuff I didn't like throughout because I would've known everything would end up here. And this volume would've been my favorite one out of all of them - but it can't be, because of that stupid epilogue -
Oh, damnit, fine, I'll start with everything else.
The art, still - the art is utterly amazing. It really makes this all so cinematic, especially when you know that this is the big ending. It's really something.
I love everything with the characters, too, so much. That scene with Baphomet was beautiful, all the Baal stuff was really intense but really good, there was that excellent tie-in with the eight volume that came back in, everything with Mimir and Tara was great - and oh, that final scene - that final scene.
Ugh, so, yeah. I loved this book up until the epilogue and I'm going to just coast on my headcanon because I infinitely prefer it.
4/5 stars because this book was too explosive to lower that, even if that epilogue ruined my enjoyment of it. I went from feeling super satisfied and happy to absolutely crushed. But I don't regret reading this series - it was such, such a ride.
What the heck was that epilogue??
Ugh, no, first I should focus on everything else. Because I swear - if it weren't for that stupid epilogue, I would've loved this. I would've bought the whole series and been okay with all of the stuff I didn't like throughout because I would've known everything would end up here. And this volume would've been my favorite one out of all of them - but it can't be, because of that stupid epilogue -
Oh, damnit, fine, I'll start with everything else.
The art, still - the art is utterly amazing. It really makes this all so cinematic, especially when you know that this is the big ending. It's really something.
I love everything with the characters, too, so much. That scene with Baphomet was beautiful, all the Baal stuff was really intense but really good, there was that excellent tie-in with the eight volume that came back in, everything with Mimir and Tara was great - and oh, that final scene - that final scene.
Ugh, so, yeah. I loved this book up until the epilogue and I'm going to just coast on my headcanon because I infinitely prefer it.
4/5 stars because this book was too explosive to lower that, even if that epilogue ruined my enjoyment of it. I went from feeling super satisfied and happy to absolutely crushed. But I don't regret reading this series - it was such, such a ride.
March 13, 2020
To bardzo satysfakcjonujące zakończenie pięknej historii o dorastaniu.
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