GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios ‘Hunt. Kill. Repeat.’ Issue 6 “A Series Worthy of the Gods…”

Last Time

When we last left our Olympians, or rather what was left of them, it had dwindled down to Artemis and Zeus. The final confrontation looming. Artemis had killed poor Medusa, per her request and now had her skull, which was still powerful in its own rite. They hoped to use it in the upcoming battle. However, there were some things going on behind the scenes that Artemis was unaware of. One was the fact that Zeus had misled her son Johnny (who was going by the name of Marcellus) into thinking that Artemis was an enemy. Having no idea, that she was his mother. But in addition, Tempus was plotting and killing behind the scenes as well. His identity known to all he confronted. Except for Artemis and Hephaestus.

Prepping for Battle

Hephaestus and Artemis were in preparation, trying to decipher how to supply enough energy to power Medusa’s skull. It was proving to be problematic at best. But even if they solve that problem, Artemis needed armor that could withstand that power as well. That at least, was something Hephaestus could accomplish without any issues. He had also made their weapons. Armor and a war hammer for him, a sword for Tempus and of course, arrows for Artemis. It would soon be time to set the hunter loose.

Zeus knew that his daughter would be coming for him. So, he prepared his Avatars to be ready. They were not, as the first two fell from one well-placed arrow by Artemis. But she knew this would not be easy. Of course, she was right. More and more Avatars fell into the battle and more of them fell before the might of Artemis, Hephaestus and Tempus. Once the onslaught thinned out, Hephaestus told Artemis to go on to confront Zeus. He and Tempus would finish dealing with the Avatars.

Confronting Zeus

As Artemis entered the throne room, Zeus was there. Along with Marcellus and the head of the Avatars Lemantis. Zeus looked to Marcellus as he spoke. Just as he had told his grandson. They were being confronted by “a confused woman who had lost her way.” One who looked to do harm to the boy’s grandfather. Marcellus stood defiantly, telling Artemis that if she had any ideas of hurting his grandfather, he would kill her.

Feeling confident, Zeus told Marcellus that he should lower his sword and greet his mother appropriately. This was a shock to the boy. Zeus had always told Marcellus that his mother had died. Zeus was unapologetic, using logic that would have made Obi-Wan Kenobi proud. His mother HAD died. The minute she had decided to have a relationship with a worthless mortal. Regardless, Artemis hugged her son to her as he cried.

Reunion

Watching this tender reunion, Zeus offered Artemis a proposition.  They could just forget everything that had happened in the past and rule New Olympus together. Just him, Artemis and Marcellus. Her brothers and sisters were never as intelligent or driven as she was. Together, they could bring New Olympus to new heights. But Artemis wanted nothing of it. They had used their power to bully humanity into worshipping them. Power was all that Zeus craved. Zeus had heard this argument before. Lemantis told Artemis she was wrong. Humanity chose this life and he for one, was grateful for it. Zeus, however, was tired. He felt he had shown great mercy to Artemis before (Julian would say otherwise). But if she continued to oppose him, that mercy would end.

Tempus Strikes

Meanwhile, Hephaestus and Tempus had finished cleaning up the Avatars and were catching a breath. Somewhere along the way, Hephaestus had set his war hammer down. As he and Tempus talked, he didn’t realize what Tempus has planned. Tempus went to pick up the war hammer. Hephaestus, think that Tempus was a mortal, assumed that he would be unable to pick it up. So, before he could react, Tempus picked up the weapon and blasted Hephaestus with it. Whether it was because of the sheer surprise or the force of the blow, Hephaestus was out. Step one was complete. Now if Artemis could hold up her end, Tempus plans would be fulfilled.

The Power of Zeus

Back in Zeus throne room, the battle between father and daughter had commenced. Artemis fought well and drew blood copiously from Zeus, but she was outmatched. Eventually, Zeus had her on the ground, pinned on her stomach under his boot. Since she had sought to fight to the death, he would accommodate her. Despite the protests from her son, who wanted both his mother and grandfather to stop fighting. Zeus blasted the prone Artemis with his lightning, expending a full charge into her body…and more.

Powering Medusa

As Zeus tells Marcellus about the lesson he should learn about his mother’s demise, Artemis turned over, holding the now fully charged skull of Medusa. Zeus himself had resolved their problem of powering the skull. Artemis turned the skull toward Zeus and the magic of Medusa started to take effect. Zeus body began to turn to stone. However, the power ran out before the transformation was complete. Regardless, Zeus could not help but be impressed by his daughter’s ingenuity. But at that time, Tempus had arrived.

The Titan Kronos

It was then that he revealed his own plot and story. How Zeus and his brother Hades had defeated him and taken the two realms that he had been ruling. They had exiled him to the deepest part of Tartarus. Leaving him there for all eternity. Believing they could keep the Titan Kronos contained forever. This was what Kronos had longed for all those years in captivity. Revenge against Zeus. And it makes it even sweeter when it would be Zeus own family that would bring him down. Hades, for agreeing to let Kronos free, and Artemis his own daughter to strike the fatal blow. Kronos promised he would speak to Hades about Artemis agreement with him, IF she sided with him.

One Last Gift from Zeus

As angry as Artemis was with Zeus, she would not side with Kronos. Considering him a coward. Kronos was a bit taken back by the refusal. Not enough for him to hesitate to plunge his blade into Zeus. But before Zeus was done, he said his goodbye to Artemis as he appeared to explode. The energy from the blast giving Artemis back her godly powers. Just in time for Tempus to take his natural form as Kronos.

Some Catching Up to Do

As Artemis prepared to engage the Titan, she told Lemantis to take Johnny to safety. He refused, instead telling HER to take her son and go. He had sworn to protect the gods, not the Titans. Plus, he would not be alone, his backup had arrived. Artemis watched as multitudes of Avatars arrived to give battle. And as much as she disliked abandoning a battle, she had to protect her son. Besides, as Lemantis had said, she and Johnny had some catching up to do.

Holed Up

Two weeks later, Artemis and Hephaestus (who she had found as she and Johnny had left) were holed up in a cabin. Johnny was still not over what had happened to his grandfather and really did not know his mother. Not yet. Hephaestus was healing but he knew they could not stay in one place for long. Both Hades and Kronos would no doubt be after them. And while Artemis had her powers back, she was not match for both Hades AND Kronos. Johnny had been catching fish for dinner and had stepped outside once again.

Losing his mother, Again

Not long after he had left, Artemis heard Johnny’s voice. She stepped outside to see Hades holding Johnny. She had made a deal with Hades, and he was there to collect. Artemis knew she was in no position to argue. Especially since he had Johnny. She agreed to go with him if he let her son go. Hades immediately released the boy as Artemis stepped forward. Once again, Johnny lost his mother. She told him to live his life in her absence. It is what his father would want for him. She told him they both loved him as she disappeared. Leaving behind Julian’s scarf and a few of Hades’ feathers.

Thoughts

A tragic ending to a great series. However, on the bright side, writer Mark London has absolutely left the cupboard full for another volume. Artemis is being held by Hades. Kronos will undoubtedly be looking for some retribution against Artemis for not siding with him against Zeus. And while Kronos was let out of his exile by Hades, it didn’t change the fact that it was Zeus AND Hades who had defeated him and put him in that prison. I doubt Kronos is that forgiving.

The Door is Open

And then there is Johnny/Marcellus. He likely has some of his mother’s godlike powers. Additionally, in just the little bit we’ve seen of his personality, Johnny doesn’t strike me as a boy who would just do nothing while his mother is in captivity. Perhaps with Hephaestus assistance. As I said, London has left the door wide open for the next chapter and I for one am ready to walk right in.

Gods vs. Man

Overall, Hunt. Kill. Repeat. was an amazing look into a different interpretation of the Greek Gods. Gods that mirror man’s willingness to embrace superiority and at the same time, exhibit man’s same narrow mindedness. In this case, when it is said that man was made in God’s image, they were not lying. Makes you wonder why Zeus was so surprised and angered that humanity didn’t meet up with his expectations. In fact, they lived up TOO closely to the way the Gods behaved. Maybe that’s what ticked them off.

Worthy of the Gods

I have long ago run out of superlatives for Francesco Archidiacono’s work on this series. If repetition breeds improvement, then his next projects will be something to see. Perhaps on volume 2 of Hunt. Kill. Repeat. (hint, hint). When added to the expertise of inker Marc Deering, Colorist Lee Loughridge, and letterer Rus Wooton, Hunt. Kill. Repeat. shined bright. A series worthy of the Gods and a strong contender in our year end best of series.

Mad Cave Studios Hunt. Kill. Repeat. Issue 6 by Mark London, Francesco Archidiacono, Marc Deering, Lee Loughridge and Russ Wooton is available now on Mad Cave’s Subscription site and where all great digital comics are sold. Also look for the Volume 1 TPB to be coming out soon.