The Sacrificers #8
Review
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Max Fiumara
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 8, 2024
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
The Sacrificers #8 is another emotional gut-punch of a story that sets the blue-feathered protagonist on a dark path that stems from rage and pent-up frustration. With the groundwork laid out for another thrilling story arc, this series continues =its streak of being one of the best fantasy comics out now.
The Sacrificers #8
ReviewWriter: Rick Remender
Artist: Max Fiumara
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 8, 2024
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
The Sacrificers #8 is another emotional gut-punch of a story that sets the blue-feathered protagonist on a dark path that stems from rage and pent-up frustration. With the groundwork laid out for another thrilling story arc, this series continues =its streak of being one of the best fantasy comics out now.
Among the comics I’ve been following consistently over the last year, The Sacrificers by Rick Remender and Max Fiumara has easily been one of my favorites. The last few issues especially have been gut punch after gut punch, and I can’t get enough of it. There are a few comics that I can remember recently that elicit such a deep emotional response from me as I flip through their stories. The ruthlessness and unforgiving nature of The Sacrificers makes it such a thrilling read. With issue #8, that trend of unraveling the story in gut-wrenching ways continues, and I’m glued to the series more than ever. Curious to know more about it? Continue reading for my thoughts and review about this latest issue!
Overview
The story finally catches up with Pigeon after his fateful crossing with Soluna. With no more companions to turn to, the young boy sets out on a journey to head back home and hopefully reconnect with his family. However, he returns only to discover that his home has been destroyed and his family is nowhere to be found. So, he wanders aimlessly and eventually finds himself in Noom’s ravaged seaside village. There, he comes face-to-face with the destructive power of his world’s gods and the traumatizing effect their absence has on ordinary people.
Image: Image Comics
Review
In my review of The Sacrificers #7, I talked about how much I adored the shift in the narrative structure of the new story arc. Issue #8 is again told through a storybook-style narration but with an emotional tale focused on Pigeon this time. More than anything, this issue emphasizes the stark contrast between the two main characters' journeys. While Soluna’s story is brutally intimate and solitary, Pigeon’s tale, on the other hand, deals with the horrors of their warped society. From the haunting visuals of destroyed villages to the unsettling and hateful nature of the people, this issue explores the ripple effect of King Rokus’ actions and the emotional toll it takes on Pigeon. The foreboding narration then further emphasizes Pigeon’s creeping descent into a dark path that greatly changes the story’s tone.
Because Piegon’s story deals so much with the trauma of his world, this issue’s art masterfully expresses the pain and rage permeating through the characters. As much as I’ve gushed in the past about how amazing Max Fiumara is at illustrating environments, backgrounds, and character designs, this latest installment showcases the incredible detail he puts into character expressions and facial features. From the anguish on Pigeon’s face to the anger in the villagers’ eyes, it’s almost scary how palpable the emotions are throughout every scene. It’s even more impressive when you realize these characters are more creature-like than human, yet you can easily connect with what they are feeling. Then, with Dave McCaig on colors and Rus Wooton on letters, it’s hard not to get swept up by the comic’s artistry. Just great stuff all around, as usual, from this stellar art team.
Image: Image ComicsNow that the series has shown both Soluna and Pigeon’s sides of the story, I walk away from this issue with greater excitement for the series to come. Having these last two issues focus on the main characters respectively made for very methodical storytelling that laid the groundwork for the new arc. While it has made the wait time between individual story threads a little longer than usual, the developments in each of their stories pay off in full force. Seeing how drastically different their paths are adds plenty of intrigue to the story, leaving me eager to find out what comes next.
Final Thoughts
With Pigeon seemingly going down a more violent path, this issue hits a major turning point for the series. It makes for an interesting contrast against Soluna’s story in issue #7, which had her story go in a more tragic direction. Since it’s clear how the two lead characters are going down such different paths, I’m fascinated to see how they will eventually cross paths again in the future. This series continues to be one of the best indie comics you can pick up right now. Whether you’re waiting for a trade or following the series monthly, the layers put into this story make it such a satisfying read every time you turn the page. Even after so many emotionally gripping moments already in this series, I know this story has only just begun.
Image: Image Comics
Why You Should Read The Sacrificers
- This second arc continues its focused and methodical approach to developing the stories of the two main characters.
- The art team of Max Fiumara, Dave McCaig, and Rus Wooton deliver killer work once again.
- The story is setting up Piegon to go down a very dark and violent path.