Writer: Kyle Higgins & Joe Clark; Prose by Jana Tropper
Art: Felipe Watanabe, Frank William, and Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 8th, 2021
Reviewer: JR Huitt
THE HOOK:
In Ordinary Gods #3, written by Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, the story continues to grow even larger. The introduction of new characters has increased the tension as the latticework structure begins to make itself known. Higgins and Clark move the story quickly through all of its paces, managing to shine just enough light onto each scene to keep the reader wondering what will happen next. Prepare to get pulled through the curtain as Ordinary Gods #3 opens the window, reaches through, and then snatches you inside.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
The depth that Higgins and Clark are adding in Ordinary Gods #3 builds on the first two issues to create a complete, lived-in, world. The third issue of the series, titled WARD, uses shock and awe to drive the narrative. However, just when I thought I had finally figured everything out, the post-story “Come The F*** On” blew the top off and made me re-examine what I had just read. I would love to know how much autonomy Jana Tropper had when penning this addendum. It built so wonderfully on what I had just read but still managed to twist everything at the end.
As with any extended story, this should NOT be the first issue of Ordinary Gods that a reader picks up. The addition of the two of the thirteen Gods, Worry and Regret, without any backstory, definitely means that the reader needs to pick up issues #1 and #2.
THE ART:
Felipe Watanabe and Frank William are an excellent art team that is definitely at the top of their game. The scenes taking place in the ‘Godly’ world feel alien when compared with the ones taking place on Earth and that is not always as easy as you would think. Additionally, the Gods look regal and alien in comparison to the featured humans.
The new characters who are introduced are all original and stand out without needing to resort to captions to understand who everyone is. One final note, the lettering that Clayton Cowles is doing is just superb, adding to the narrative through the use of different fonts to indicate divinity vs humanity.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Higgins, along with Clark, seems to have a very clear idea of where he wants to go with the story. Using the introduction of the new characters to build on what came before has moved the story away from earlier issues when it seemed to be using the same setup as THE WICKED + THE DIVINE. The new Warden character looks to be a good foil that will challenge both the good guys and, as seen in this issue, the bad guys too. I’m looking forward to the next issue of Ordinary Gods to see how Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, and the rest of the team expand upon the story further. I’m also hoping that more moments will exceed my expectations. And, after Ordinary Gods #3, Ordinary Gods #4 will have a big damned set of boots to fill.