Writer: Gerry Duggan
Art: Lucas Werneck, Federico Blee, VC’s Cory Petit, Tom Muller, Matthew Wilson, and Russell Dauterman
Release Date: December 18th, 2019
Price: $3.99
Sebastian Shaw may have recruited a new Black Bishop but what about the Red Queen? Is there a Red Bishop on the horizon? And, with Shaw’s machinations against the two Queens of the Hellfire Club does the new Black Bishop have his own secret agenda? Let’s sail through this week’s all-new MARAUDERS #4 by Gerry Duggan and see how Captain Kate and her Marauders wreak havoc on the high seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the name of the mutant cause!
This reviewer has an opening remark: do you know Latin? Well, according to Google Translator, which certainly could be wrong, the phrase “Homines Verendi” (which is stated as the issue concludes) means “Men Gowns”. Now, what the heck does that have to do with the price of tomatoes, and more importantly this issue? Great question! Gerry Duggan expands his writing chops this week and experiments with a bit of Latin that this reviewer can’t tell if it’s a joke, a mistake, or simply something this reader is missing. Honestly, seeing how cleverly humorous this series has been to date, this critic wouldn’t put it past Duggan to throw this phrase around to see if anyone would bother to look it up. Well, Mr. Duggan, I noticed. So, what does it mean?
Now that my side rant is done, this actually points out an essential attribute of this series that has continued flawlessly since it began: Duggan’s fascinatingly hilarious and satirical tone throughout the narrative. And, it’s because of Duggan’s style that this reader has fallen head over heels for Captain Kate! Duggan has made Kate a genuine star and this issue continues that exploration causing the new Red Queen and her Marauders to converse in a way that is oftentimes dry but entertaining and absurdly humorous.
Ultimately, this issue dives into a small backstory about a missing person that has been sprinkled throughout the narrative to date. However, by the end of the issue, Captain Kate and Bishop uncover something rather interesting and honestly quite funny that may surprise some readers as they plunge deeper into the story. However, as the tale continues, readers get to see Kate’s character really begin to blossom and take shape. Sure, Kitty has been a leader before but Duggan has truly reinvented the character with her wit, charm, and charismatic fortitude. Captain Kate looks like she has the experience, a fun-loving sense of maturity, and now a purpose thanks to the sensational writing of Gerry Duggan. Frankly, what mutant wouldn’t want to follow this Red Queen?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether Gerry Duggan knows the wonderful dead language of Latin or not, won’t change this reviewers opinion of this series or this issue for that matter. MARAUDERS is unequivocally one of the top three X-Books on the market and shows a different style of comic that this reader looks forward to each month. This issue is fast, quirky, immediately grabs your attention, and is amazingly entertaining to the last line. Fans, there is no other Marvel Comic on the market like Gerry Duggan’s MARAUDERS, which is one of the many reasons as to why this series needs to be on your pull list. Pick this issue up and let me know what you think. It’s definitely worth the money!
9/10
Sorry, Google Translate is wrong. “Homines Verendi” means “The Awesome Men.”
Sorry, Google Translate is wrong. “Homines Verendi” means “The Awesome Men” (or “Awesome People”).
Thanks for reading the review! Thanks for the comment!!! But in referencing my review, it doesn’t totally matter at this point, nor did my score lower tremendously because of it but when I typed in “the awesome men” like you said I got “ terribilis est hominibus” which isn’t what you said either. I did it on a couple different translators as well. Even if I typed in “the great men” I get “ magnorum”. Or if I just type in “awesome” I get “ horribilis”. So I’m not seeing it. I don’t know Latin and not so many people reading this or anyone for that matter really know Latin. In reality, it really doesn’t effect the issue unless it becomes at thing continually used in the series. Do you know Latin?
Yes I have studied Latin. Online translators are notoriously bad for Latin, because compared to many modern languages Latin has a very small vocabulary – so many Latin words have a lot of different meanings, and English words can often be translated using lots of different Latin words. “Horribilis” can indeed mean “awesome,” but only in the old sense of inspiring fear – “dreadful.” But so does “verendi.” In this case, “verendi” is an adjective derived from the verb “vereor” which means to fear or be in awe of, again the old sense of “awesome.” Homines verendi is literally “the men/people who ought to be feared.” The spirit of Marauders and the tone of the writing you mention (which I totally agree with) leads me to use the word “awesome,” but “fearsome” would work too. Anyway, sorry for the double posting before, and thanks for the review.
Thanks for the clarity!!! I like the direct translation better. Maybe something like “The Fearful Ones” since they are not all men? Would that translation work? Thanks for your help!!!
I’d say “Feared Ones” would be better, since “fearful” to me implies that they are the ones feeling the fear. But they are causing fear in others.