Last Time
When we last left the world of Gods and Man, Artemis and Hephaestus had gone to see Hermes about his wife Medusa. But they had arrived too late to prevent Apollo from gutting his brother and going to see Medusa himself. They found him chained with his entrails pouring loose. Once more, the myth of invincible Gods is proven wrong. Not that Artemis hadn’t already disproved that theory right from the start of this series. Still, Artemis hoped that it was not too late to save Hermes. Not to mention possibly enlisting Medusa’s assistance in her battle against Zeus. But first, she had to see her.
A Happier Time
This chapter started back in time, on Hermes and Medusa’s wedding day. Hermes was sitting with his brother and sisters, awaiting their joining. They enjoyed the food that mortal man enjoyed. Much to the distaste of Zeus. Despite Hermes claim otherwise, he doubted that anything that mortals could create was superior to the bounty of Olympus. Most of his children agreed with him. Not that Hermes cared at that moment. All he cared about was marrying Medusa.
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Speaking of Medusa, she was in a separate part of Olympus, preparing for the ceremony with her best friend Artemis. Considering that Artemis had made a vow of celibacy, she questioned her friend why she would want to tie herself down to one man, even her brother Hermes. But Medusa told her that she loved Hermes and wanted this marriage. She hoped that one day, despite her vow of celibacy, Artemis would leave herself open to the possibility of love. Artemis scoffed at that scenario but was pleased that Medusa had found happiness.
The Ceremony
As the ceremony was about to begin, Artemis couldn’t help but one more prank on her brother. Telling him that Medusa had changed her mind. He started to react when she let him know she was kidding. Medusa then came to Hermes, looking as lovely as a goddess should. Taking his breath away. Zeus performed the ceremony, and all seemed right with Olympus. At least it seemed so. But treachery was afoot. It seemed that Aphrodite had other ideas.
A Seeming Betrayal
That night, as Medusa and Hermes were in their room, Medusa took a bite from an apple. From there, her vision began to blur, and Hermes became someone else. Later that night, Hermes awoke to the screams of Medusa. Zeus had her around the neck, while another man claimed that Medusa had entered his chamber. Zeus accused her of breaking the sacred trust she had made with Hermes. He hauled her off saying she would be locked away. Aphrodite immediately went to Hermes to comfort him in his time of need. Yeah, right. Artemis raged at the taking of her friend, but she could do nothing. Hermes never saw Medusa again.
Back in the present, Artemis asks Hephaestus to look after Hermes while she confronted Medusa. She knew she could get through to her. Hermes was not as confident. He told Artemis that she didn’t need to do this. Nothing good would come from it, except her death. Nevertheless, Artemis was determined to make the attempt. They would stand no chance against Zeus without Medusa’s assistance.
Apollo’s Rocky Future
As she climbed to the top of the building, Artemis kept thinking about how she could convince Medusa to help. But as she arrived where Medusa was kept, Apollo had already arrived and had taken off the collar that had restrained her. He told Artemis that Medusa would be her demise. But he didn’t keep his eyes on Medusa. She clawed him in the face, leaving a bloody gouge. This outraged Apollo, especially since he had given Medusa her freedom. His reward was a deep wound and her deep stoney gaze. And as everyone familiar with Medusa knows, that means a rock-hard existence. Unless of course, she then breaks you into stone fragments. Which was the fate of Apollo. Another God bites the dust…so to speak.
Reminding Medusa of Love
Unfortunately, this didn’t change the fact that Medusa was loose and had only Artemis left to confront. Realizing the danger of seeing eye to eye with Medusa, she used Julian’s scarf to cover her eyes. She then talked to Medusa, reminding her of when she had told Artemis to be open to love. Artemis told her that she had heeded her advice. She had found love and like Medusa, it was taken away. She understood what Medusa was going through. Artemis only hoped that Medusa would remember love.
Tempus Appears
Back with Hephaestus, he was still attempting to heal Hermes, but it was a daunting task. Especially when the Avatar’s came a calling. Nothing Hermes could do in his condition so Hephaestus would face them alone. Not that he wasn’t up to the challenge. These WERE mortal men after all. But unbeknownst to him, another visitor had come to see Hermes. Tempus snuck up on Hermes and injected him with some kind of poison. Hermes had seen him and just like Aphrodite, recognized him. Also surprised that he was free. Not that it helped Hermes any. By the time Hephaestus had finished his battle, Tempus was gone. But the aftermath remained.
Medusa Meets Hermes, One Last Time
Meanwhile, despite her attempts to remind Medusa of better times, Medusa was not having any of it. Which left Artemis with one option left. If she could not talk Medusa into remembering love, perhaps seeing Hermes would do so. Of course, this was without the benefit of knowing what had just transpired with Hermes. As Artemis led Medusa into the room, Hephaestus tried to stop her, but it was too late. As she grabbed Artemis, she saw the broken Hermes. She dropped Artemis and bent down over his dead body, tears streaming from her inhuman eyes. As she held his head, she spoke perhaps the first words she had spoken in years: “kill me.”
Artemis didn’t want to comply. Despite everything, Medusa was still her friend. But Hephaestus told her it was necessary. Once again, Zeus had made her into the monster that he was. Reluctantly, she took her sword and killed Medusa, who put up no resistance. Damn Zeus! Just one more reason she had to end him.
Zeus Hears the Latest News
Speaking of Zeus, the news had reached him that all of his children were gone. All except Artemis. It was just him and her now. For Zeus, this was not how he had planned it to go. But it was now clear that Artemis had gone too far. Regardless, as the last of his children, he would have to force her to rule by his side. Even though he knew she planned to kill him.
As they discussed this, Artemis son Marcellus (who knows not of his mother) walks into the room and wants to know who threatens his grandfather. Zeus tells him that it is not his concern. Marcellus, however, wants to help his grandfather against any who would threaten him. Zeus again tells him not to worry. It is just “a confused woman who has lost her way.”
Thoughts
Just as it appeared from the beginning, this confrontation was building up between Artemis and Zeus and we have almost reached its climax. Mark London has written a perfect build-up to the main event with still some questions that need answered. How will Tempus figure into the story and who is he? Will Artemis be able to deal with Marcellus if he chooses to intervene in the battle. Judging from his willingness, I believe he will. Just like many times before in her life, Artemis might be given a hard choice. To possibly battle her own son and her last vestige of Julian or to do what Zeus commands of her. And there is still Hephaestus to consider. What part will HE play in the closing acts? So much good stuff left to consider. I can’t wait.
Medusa Art
I had mentioned in the Issue 5 review that I looked forward to seeing how artist extraordinaire Francesco Archidiacono would handle Medusa. He did not disappoint, either in her goddess form or the monster she would become. Not that I thought that he would. He has more than proven his skills in this story and I am eager for how it all comes to a conclusion and what lies next for his future.
Medusa Story
Speaking of Medusa, Mark London wrote a tragic end to her. One cannot help but feel badly for Medusa who was the victim of a jealous woman and her need to control her brother. Perhaps, if Hermes had fought harder for her in the beginning, she might not have come to that pass. But that’s what legends are made of. In either even, well done Mr. London. Well done.
Mad Cave Studios Hunt. Kill. Repeat. Issue 5 by Mark London, Francesco Archidiacono, Marc Deering and Lee Loughridge is available now at the Mad Cave Studios Subscription Site and where 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.