Birthright #17

Previously in Birthright #16

I really look forward to this comic every time it comes out. It truly reads as a novel at times with the reader always wanting more when the final page of the issue is turned. The only problem with this is you want to know more, but you have to wait a month to find out. It is kind of like G.R.R.M. releasing his chapters to Winds of Winter and you are like “Just release the book already, George!” But wanting more now is the sign of a really good story, right?

This issue is very much character-driven, with Williamson letting the reader get more into the relationships of some of the new characters and a bit of father-son bonding time as well. We also get to see a transformation before our very eyes, with one of the characters becoming a true believer of another.

It picks up where the last issue left off: Grandpa Sameal meeting with Enoch, who wants to have a chat with Sameal about his “Chosen One” grandson. Well, Enoch did not know he was his grandson until now and takes issue with him not sharing this with him. It turns out, Sameal and Enoch go way back and have their own Terrenos “buddy cop” story rampaging and kicking butt all over Terrenos.  Sameal explains he does not want his family to be a part of this fight with Lore and that is why he did not mention the fact that Mikey was his grandson. Enoch points out he obviously cannot keep them out of this part of his life. Enoch also says they have to turn Mikey over to the other mages who want to stop him from bring Lore over to the Earth.

The story then cuts to the Rhodes men. Mikey is unconscious, the Nevermind is out and he wants to destroy anyone trying to keep him from his mission to open the Earth to his master. Both Brennen and Aaron try to fight him off with some of the weapons Sameal has in his Bat-cave. Unfortunately, none of the weapons seem to help against the supernatural foe; however, Brennen does hurt the Nevermind when he touches his arm.  I wonder if Grandpa Sameal was right about Brennen.

Rya and Wendy are in the issue too believe it or not. They seem to be in a holding pattern right now as the rest of the story continues without them. Rya going into labor was unexpected. Rya thought she had time, but Mastema does not agree. And Mastema says not only is she ready to have the baby, but she tells her that she cannot have the baby here on Earth. Will this baby bring with it the end of the world? Will the health of the baby and/or Rya be at risk?  I guess we will have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, the Terrenos buddies are still having their UN meeting attempting to determine what their next move will be. Sameal gets upset and breaks things and Enoch is calm, cool, and collected. It seems like Sameal is trying to convince himself of what he knows is right, but he can’t bring himself to do it.  Enoch, on the other hand, is confident that his friend will make the right decision when it comes to the fate of the world. In the end though, it looks like Sameal’s parental guilt will get the better of him and he is willing to defend the family he abandoned so long ago to his last breath. Enoch is ready to do what he has to do to save the world… even go through his best friend.

The issue ends with the Nevermind about to kill Aaron, and Brennan transforming into the mage he always had inside of him. This was a really cool payoff to something planted a while ago. We knew something was up with Brennan early on in the series with Williamson giving slight hints to a Rhodes brother being the “Chosen One,” but maybe we are looking in the wrong place. So now we have another player on the board with Brennan perhaps having a major role in the battle with Lore, but what will his role?

As always, both Williamson and Bressan are on point with both story and art as you are transported to this world of good and evil. I continue to love Bressan’s use of capturing motion as he depicts action in fight sequences. And the panel he put together depicting Sameal and Enoch going medieval on some creatures from Terrenos was glorious.