Last Time on Hunt. Kill. Repeat.
When we last encountered our God friends, Artemis had agreed to trade her soul to Hades for the release of Hephaestus. She still needed his assistance in her battle with Zeus. Besides, with both her husband and her child dead, she felt no need for a soul. At least not after she had dealt with Zeus. However, before she had left her uncle Hades world, he informed her that her child still lived. And he was in the company of Zeus.
The Monster He Created
Upon arriving back with Hephaestus, Artemis was still fuming that Zeus had taken her child and not told her that he still lived. Hephaestus however, tried to get her to understand that like most of Zeus’ children, her son Johnny was likely firmly under Zeus’ control. Artemis didn’t let that deter her. She was living proof that you could escape from under the shadow of Zeus. She would make Zeus regret the “monster he created.”
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The Arrival of Athena
Meanwhile, Tempus was still awaiting Artemis return. Not realizing she had already come back, just not in the same place as she left. She was inside the building, not outside. However, because of this, Tempus was the first to realize that Athena had arrived with a group of soldiers. Fortunately for Tempus, they had not realized he was around. Because of this, he knew that Athena had went into the building alone. She had forbidden her soldiers to accompany her. With the death of Aphrodite, Athena wanted revenge.
Inside, Artemis was still in argument mode about her son. So much so that she didn’t notice Athena until she had bolted the door with a large timber. But Athena had overheard Artemis and her rants about her son. She realized that their uncle Hades must have told her. He always did like to instigate things. No matter. In time it wouldn’t matter. Because Athena planned on killing Artemis that day.
Cicero
Preparing for the coming battle, Artemis told Hephaestus to leave the area. She would face her sister…alone. But it was not Athena that Artemis would face first. It was her magical Owl, Cicero. Clad in armor, the renowned bird of prey clawed and slashed at Artemis. Drawing blood with each fly by with deadly accuracy. Without her Godly essence, she was proving no match for the golden hunter.
Although down from the continuous onslaught, Artemis continued to attempt to fight. Athena could not help to be at least a little impressed by her sister’s tenacity. Despite that begrudging admiration, it didn’t stop her from sending Cicero in for the kill. But unbeknownst to Athena, Tempus was hiding nearby. With Artemis on her knees, Cicero flew low toward her for the final pass. That allowed Tempus, along with Artemis cat Abraxas to jump from high and spring on Cicero. The cat landing on the owl and forcing it down while Tempus finished it off with a heavy crunch under his boots as he landed on the floor.
Loss of the Chronograph
With the owl out of the picture, Artemis engaged the Chronograph which allowed for Artemis to land numerous violent blows on the face of Athena. Although bloodied, Athena was hardly down and out. She also realized that the device that Artemis used was the source of her advantage. She engaged Artemis once again and was able to grab ahold of the Chronograph and crush it. Without that advantage, it looked bleak for Artemis. At least until Tempus turned off the power and with it, the lights.
As they faced each other in the pitch black, Athena thought that Artemis would have no advantage in this scenario. She was wrong. Being used to fighting in the utter darkness, she quickly beat Athena down so that when Tempus re-engaged the lights, Artemis stood over the bloodied Athena. She once again asked Athena where her son was, as Hephaestus and Tempus walked up to join her. With no response, Artemis asked for what she claimed was the last time. But instead of answering, Athena reacted to Tempus. A reaction of recognition when Tempus swung an axe down into the prone Athena.
A New Plan
Athena was shocked, asking Tempus what he thought he was doing. What he had done! For his part, Tempus was unapologetic. As far as HE was concerned, he did them all a favor. While Artemis stared Tempus down, Hephaestus reminded them that they had bigger problems than Athena now. With the chronograph broken, they no longer had an advantage. The chances of fixing it were almost nil. But there was someone they could go to. Hermes wife who had been exiled by Zeus. Fortunately, she was still on Earth. Living in a dungeon underneath Hermes tower.
The Disrupter
But before they could even think about their next move, the guards who had accompanied Athena were breaking in. Tempus told Artemis and Hephaestus to leave. He would stay to delay the guards. It was his function to be a “disrupter.” After they left, the guards came in and saw the bloodied body of Athena. They were shocked that she had been defeated. But even more so when Tempus left them while triggering explosives, he had wired in the building. Leaving a huge mushroom of fire in his wake.
Hermes Tower
Meanwhile, in Hermes tower, he was partaking in some carnal recreation. If being strung up by a leather clad dominatrix is your thing. And apparently it was for Hermes. But before things could progress any further, Apollo entered, telling the dominatrix to leave. For Apollo, he couldn’t understand why Hermes found pleasure in such activities. Regardless, he was not in a mood for such inane subjects. His goal was to make an “example of Artemis.” To do so, he needed Hermes wife.
Hermes exploded at the mention of his wife. Threatening to kill Apollo for even thinking of disturbing her. But for Apollo, he knew that Hermes was in no place to make that threat a reality. However, the same could not be said for Apollo. As he closed in on his brother, still chained up from his time with the dominatrix.
The Trail of Apollo
Outside Hermes tower, Artemis and Hephaestus arrived to find the guards laying all around. Killed by the golden arrows of Apollo. When it came to Apollo, Artemis always knew he was jealous of her. Of her favor with Zeus. At least in the beginning. Eventually, that hatred became mutual. He also hated Hermes. Not exactly a “loving brother.” They went up to the top of the tower where Hermes resided. Upon arriving, they found Hermes. Still strung up in his chains, with his entrails hanging out. Courtesy of Apollo.
There was nothing that could be done for Hermes. Hermes apologized to Artemis. He knew that humanity did not deserve the treatment that they received. Perhaps this was his penance for not standing up to his father earlier. Artemis kissed Hermes on the forehead. She did not blame him for what had transpired. In many ways, he was like her. They both lost loved ones and were unfairly judged by their family. But she still needed to talk to Hermes wife.
Next: Visit Hermes Wife
He warned Artemis to be careful. Apollo no doubt was with her. And his wife was nothing like Artemis might remember. Back when they were best friends. Now, “she is nothing like anyone you’ve ever encountered.”
Thoughts
With Hunt. Kill. Repeat. the concept of immortal Gods is revealed to be a myth. At least, when the other Gods are involved. In fact, if humanity had wanted to free itself from the rule of the Gods, pitting them against each other was the way to go. Because, as much as they like to believe in their own superiority, they are easily as flawed, egotistical, and blood thirsty as any human ever thought to be. Which takes the idea of man being made in “God’s Image” make all the more sense. Writer Mark London continues to reveal that Gods are as fallible and jealous as the humans they rule. Wonder where they got THAT from?
I have run out of words for the exquisite artwork produced every issue by artist Francesco Archidiacono, Inker Marc Deering and colorist Lee Loughridge. Under their talents, Gods are without a doubt, the beautiful people. But when it is required to make them a bloody mess, they excel at that as well.
What’s Coming
As for what’s coming next, I eagerly look forward to Archidiacono’s representation of Hermes wife. No doubt it will be as breathtaking as all of his characters are. I am also somewhat intrigued by Athena’s reaction to Tempus. I somehow think there may be more to Tempus than meets the eye. But only “time” will tell. (See what I did there).
Mad Cave Studios Hunt. Kill. Repeat. continues to be a must read when each new issue comes out. Between London’s scribe and the aforementioned artwork, it gets dived into as soon as I get my hands on it…or at least my eyes.
Availability
Mad Cave Studios Hunt. Kill. Repeat. Issue 4 by Mark London, Francesco Archidiacono, Inker Marc Deering, colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Rus Wooton is available at Mad Cave’s subscription site and where all great digital comics are sold.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.