GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Comics 'Hunt. Kill. Repeat.' Issue 3

Last Issue

When last we left the world of Hunt. Kill. Repeat, first blood has been drawn in the battle between Artemis and her fellow Gods. Aphrodite was killed in her quest to take Artemis out. But not without collateral damage. Hephaestus was also killed while trying to aide Artemis. However, the supreme huntress was not going to let her friend go “gentle into that good night.” Not without trying to do something about it. This would require a visit with another family member: her Uncle Hades.

Seeking an Audience with Hades

But first, she would need to get into Tartus and across the river Styx. That would require passage with Charon, the ferryman. It also required obtaining a Danake, the preferred coinage of Charon. Fortunately, Tempus was able to obtain one for Artemis. But that was the second part of the journey. The first part was getting INTO Tartus. And THAT required getting by a large number of Zeus Avatars. All that required was a disguise to resemble the guardians. Which worked pretty well until they noticed her husband Julian’s scarf. The one piece of homage she had left of her dead spouse.

Fighting to Journey to Tartus

Oh well, as they famously say: “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” During the fight, Artemis broke more than a few as she decimated the attacking Avatars. This brought her through the door into the world of Tartus and Charon. Artemis flips the ferryman the Danake, and he carries her across the river Styx. One more step accomplished. But now, she comes face to face with Cerberus, the iconic three headed dog who guards Hades’ domain.

Bad Dog, Dog, Dog

But while Cerberus should know her, he doesn’t seem to be in the live and let live mood. Soon, the chase is on as Artemis tries to evade the triple headed threat. Fortunately, she brought along Hephaestus and Tempus’ chronograph. She put it to use here as she freezes time around the attacking canine, allowing her to put some distance between him and her. Just in “time” for Hades to appear.

Greeting Uncle Hades

He commands Cerberus to stand down after he finally unfreezes due to the chronograph’s work. Hades is interested in the device Artemis used and wonders if she came to see if it might work on him. She dismisses the notion, stating that she would not dare to even attempt it, as she gives her uncle a hug. After they break apart, he asks her why she has deemed to visit. Knowing that his brother Zeus would no doubt be unhappy if he knew where she was. Artemis explains that she has come to retrieve Hephaestus.

Hades doesn’t seem that surprised, admitting that Hephaestus had only recently arrived in his domain. Instantly he shows Hephaestus to Artemis, chained and hanging in the air. To Hades way of thinking, Hephaestus was a “naughty god” but he is taking good care of the smithy. Hephaestus, for his part, asks Artemis what she is doing there. She reminds him that they had a plan to take down Zeus. She wasn’t going to leave without him.

Making a Deal

Hades smiled at that statement, reminding Artemis that while he does like her, she has no sway in HIS domain. She accepts this and then asks what Hades would accept in exchange for Hephaestus. His bargain is as old as time itself. A soul for a soul. Without hardly thinking she accepts the offer. With the death of both her husband and her child, she has nothing left. Once she has dealt with Zeus, she would give him her soul. Hades agrees to this arrangement, releasing Hephaestus.

With the chains removed, Hephaestus asks Artemis why she made that sacrifice. She once again reminds him that Zeus deserves what he’s got coming to him, but she can’t do it without Hephaestus assistance. Out of curiosity, Hades, who had been listening to their exchange, asks Artemis why she felt that everyone she loved was dead? Artemis reiterated that Zeus had killed both of them. This produced a laugh from Hades. Leave it to his brother to enact such a dramatic plot. Hades informs Artemis that her child is not dead. Much to her stunned surprise.

Thoughts

In Issue 3, we are reminded once again how much of a bad ass Artemis is. Even without all her godly powers, she makes short work of the large contingent of Avatars guarding the path to Tartus. We also are reminded of her loyalty to those she considers her friends and allies. Thinking nothing of entering her Uncle Hades’ domain to free Hephaestus. Even Tempus questioned the need to go to such lengths to save him. But Artemis didn’t hesitate, saying that she would have done the same for Tempus. THAT is one driven Goddess.

Insights into Relationships

One of the many things that I love about this series are the insights that writer Mark London gives to flesh out the relationships between characters. Between Artemis and Apollo and especially, the flashbacks of Artemis and Julian. It makes their short relationship all the more tragic and makes her simple gesture of wearing Julian’s scarf that much more significant. All of these plot elements continue to be brought to vivid life by artist Francesco Archidiacono. I especially liked his interpretation of Cerberus which was a little different than previous versions I have seen. Hunt. Kill. Repeat. just keeps getting better and I am totally invested in its narrative. What will Hades new revelation bring? I wait with bated breath to find out.

Mad Cave Studios Hunt. Kill. Repeat. Issue 3 by Mark London, Francesco Archidiacono, Mark Deering, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton is available now at Mad Caves Subscription site and where all great digital comics are sold.