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The Wicked + The Divine
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 6: Imperial Phase, Part II
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2018)When you're at the peak of your powers, there's only one way to go. The question becomes - how many people are you willing to drag down with you?
The bestselling, critically-acclaimed comic by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson reaches its most dramatic arc yet.
Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #29-33
The bestselling, critically-acclaimed comic by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson reaches its most dramatic arc yet.
Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #29-33
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2018
51 people are currently reading
3291 people want to read
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,461 books1,891 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 570 reviews
March 4, 2023
So the series picks up again, alongside the action, as the divergent wants and needs of the Pantheon seem to be leading them to destruction. They need to take down the rogue God, they need to understand what The Machine really does and they need to handle the Great Darkness.
The twists and turns in this volume make up for the lack of them in volume five, but still some of the actions of the Gods come across as a bit theatrical, as in they act in a specific way to move the story as opposed to us understanding why they do, and what they do? Anyways it's a story and it's OK. I already think I'll read it again someday to see if I can better understand/interpret the future signalling. And, I am now at a stage where I do want to know how it all ends, or more honestly see what the overall creative vision of the creative team was. 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
2023 and 2019 read
The twists and turns in this volume make up for the lack of them in volume five, but still some of the actions of the Gods come across as a bit theatrical, as in they act in a specific way to move the story as opposed to us understanding why they do, and what they do? Anyways it's a story and it's OK. I already think I'll read it again someday to see if I can better understand/interpret the future signalling. And, I am now at a stage where I do want to know how it all ends, or more honestly see what the overall creative vision of the creative team was. 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
2023 and 2019 read
January 2, 2018
3.5ish stars.
I really don't know what to think of this comic anymore and not because I can't understand it, because I finally can, but because I just don't know what they are doing with the story. I guess I had such high expectations for WicDiv at the start and now that its almost over, I guess I feel a little let-down. Its not that its bad per say but I just thought it was going to be this crazy good comic. Once I started understanding it, it started going downhill from there. Its still an original comic with crazy twists and turns but I cant help feeling like it could have been so much better.
As for the actual volume itself, I thought that it was going to be a lot better. Imperial Phase 1 (the previous volume, Volume 5) had such a slow burn and I thought that it was setting Part 2 up for a lot. A lot did happen but I just felt underwhelmed by most of it. There was one bit that completely shocked me but as for the rest of the ending, well it didn't completely surprise me. I thought they would do something like that alright. Also, I'm not sure if it was just in my head or not, but the art didn't look as good as it usually does. It is still great of course but I thought that it was a bit off... I'm still curious to see what comes next. I think once this whole comic is done, I will give myself some time and then read the whole thing all over again. Maybe waiting 6 months (ish) for each new volume doesn't work well with this comic and reading the entire thing in one go will help.
I would still recommend this comic.
I really don't know what to think of this comic anymore and not because I can't understand it, because I finally can, but because I just don't know what they are doing with the story. I guess I had such high expectations for WicDiv at the start and now that its almost over, I guess I feel a little let-down. Its not that its bad per say but I just thought it was going to be this crazy good comic. Once I started understanding it, it started going downhill from there. Its still an original comic with crazy twists and turns but I cant help feeling like it could have been so much better.
As for the actual volume itself, I thought that it was going to be a lot better. Imperial Phase 1 (the previous volume, Volume 5) had such a slow burn and I thought that it was setting Part 2 up for a lot. A lot did happen but I just felt underwhelmed by most of it. There was one bit that completely shocked me but as for the rest of the ending, well it didn't completely surprise me. I thought they would do something like that alright. Also, I'm not sure if it was just in my head or not, but the art didn't look as good as it usually does. It is still great of course but I thought that it was a bit off... I'm still curious to see what comes next. I think once this whole comic is done, I will give myself some time and then read the whole thing all over again. Maybe waiting 6 months (ish) for each new volume doesn't work well with this comic and reading the entire thing in one go will help.
I would still recommend this comic.
August 1, 2019
Ugh. What once was my favourite comic has now become a plotless, meandering mess. I don't know what the story is anymore. I don't know who the characters are, or who to root for (or against!). The big twist in the end was laughably silly and almost insulting — are they serious with this shit?!
I'm still going to stick with WicDiv till the end, though. It can't possibly get much worse than this. Only two more volumes to go, not counting the collection of the godawful specials, which I am probably going to ignore. And then we're done.
I'm still going to stick with WicDiv till the end, though. It can't possibly get much worse than this. Only two more volumes to go, not counting the collection of the godawful specials, which I am probably going to ignore. And then we're done.
April 8, 2018
Hmm. This was ok, but it didn't seem all that great to me either. I don't understand Persephone. Why does she not care? She talked about it and I still don't care. This has been a good series and I'm ready for the conclusion. This feels like it is ready for an end. I hope they have one. They keep revealing more things and the story is limping along - it feels to me.
The arts is tops still. That's all
The arts is tops still. That's all
March 18, 2018
WHAT THE FUCK
February 12, 2018
Good! So after a lack lustre previous Volume, I wasn't holding my breath for this one, I do love this series but it seems to have dips and rises in terms of quality. Luckily though this was one of the better volumes, not the best, but it was decent enough! I can't really talk too much of the story since these volumes are hard to talk about without spoiling anything. All I can say is the story is good enough, better then the previous volume! I've always seen this series as what if super heroes were celebrities with their own agenda's, with Game of Thrones backstabbing; that's why I think if this were to ever be made into a TV series, it would do very well! Aside from that there's some action in this one which was cool, the story keeps making me want more after I finish each issue. I also like how simple and to the point the dialogue is, you can read and get through these trades pretty easily which I like. It's not like a Morrison or a Snyder comic where your reading what feels like 20000 words a issue. Jamie McKelvie's art as always is fantastic and detailed; its not as flashy as this volume has a lot of dark backgrounds compared to usual, but otherwise its top notch as always! My only real complaint is the price, I don't know if this was Image or the team behind this series, but its $2 more now, which I think sucks since your getting the same amount of content previous volumes had, back when you were paying less. But overall, if you have stuck with this series this far, I don't think you will be disappointed with this volume!
January 3, 2018
I just ...don't even know what they're trying to do with this comic anymore. I mean I still like the general concept and I like most of the characters and the art is absolutely AMAZING. Persephone has the absolute best character design and I love the way that her, Sakhmet, and the Morrigan are drawn in particular because they just give off this very strong ~don't fuck with me~ vibe and I'm SUPER into it ...but as far as the actual plot I'm just like ???
I feel like nothing has actually HAPPENED for a long time. But Devann, I hear you say, three people DIED in this volume! And I guess you have a point but like ...it was so underwhelming??? I feel like they are just drawing names out of a hat at this point like ..."and then [X] murders [X] but [X] comes back to life and murders [X] and also [X] has been [X] the entire time and [X] [X] and [X] are actually -" and I'm just like please calm down and write something meaningful instead of like 20 unrelated plot twists in a row because it's just beyond ridiculous at this point. Like honestly my ridiculous crush on Persephone is probably the only thing boosting this from 2 to 3 stars at this point.
I feel like nothing has actually HAPPENED for a long time. But Devann, I hear you say, three people DIED in this volume! And I guess you have a point but like ...it was so underwhelming??? I feel like they are just drawing names out of a hat at this point like ..."and then [X] murders [X] but [X] comes back to life and murders [X] and also [X] has been [X] the entire time and [X] [X] and [X] are actually -" and I'm just like please calm down and write something meaningful instead of like 20 unrelated plot twists in a row because it's just beyond ridiculous at this point. Like honestly my ridiculous crush on Persephone is probably the only thing boosting this from 2 to 3 stars at this point.
February 1, 2018
I AM SHOOKETH.
February 17, 2018
After that reveal, I can't believe I have to wait so long for the next volume!
January 24, 2018
I do feel like the first half I was trying to play catch-up as it has been a while since I read the previous volume, but I'm still incredibly in love with the art. The second half was better to me and I did not see the end coming.
February 3, 2018
ya know what, I’m done with this comic. I can’t stand it anymore. it continues makes no sense and it’s just a big mess overall. bye
December 8, 2020
*4.5
spoilers for volumes 1-5
Ohhhhh man.
This series is such a ride. It's really all over the place - it has such a fascinating premise, but it deals with it so oddly, and the plot gets confusing as heck at times. This series has some genuinely great characters, and some that are, as previously said, all over the place or just downright unlikeable. Or empty, but that's rare.
On characters: Dionysius was utterly amazing in this one. He got a bit more established last volume, but he was great here. Since Inanna died, there really haven't been any gods who are just genuinely good. Amaterasu is close, but she's more sunshine-y (ha, I get it) and everything than anything else. There was a flashback scene with the Morrigan and Baphomet that kind of made their relationship make a bit more sense, but I still feel like they were doing perfectly fine until Baphomet randomly slept with Laura. Laura and Cassandra had a nice friendship moment here though, which was nice because they were my favorite characters back in volume 1 (aside from Lucifer). Also some... interesting stuff happened with Minerva. Huh.
I don't know, maybe I'll hate volume 7 because I really have a roller coaster of ratings with these. But this was an intense one!
Also, as I've said every single time, the artwork. It is absolutely stunning and intricate and beautiful... seriously, flip through one of these just for the drawings. Amazing.
4.5/5 stars. This series isn't for everyone, but I'm having my fun so far. I guess we'll see.
spoilers for volumes 1-5
Ohhhhh man.
This series is such a ride. It's really all over the place - it has such a fascinating premise, but it deals with it so oddly, and the plot gets confusing as heck at times. This series has some genuinely great characters, and some that are, as previously said, all over the place or just downright unlikeable. Or empty, but that's rare.
On characters: Dionysius was utterly amazing in this one. He got a bit more established last volume, but he was great here. Since Inanna died, there really haven't been any gods who are just genuinely good. Amaterasu is close, but she's more sunshine-y (ha, I get it) and everything than anything else. There was a flashback scene with the Morrigan and Baphomet that kind of made their relationship make a bit more sense, but I still feel like they were doing perfectly fine until Baphomet randomly slept with Laura. Laura and Cassandra had a nice friendship moment here though, which was nice because they were my favorite characters back in volume 1 (aside from Lucifer). Also some... interesting stuff happened with Minerva. Huh.
I don't know, maybe I'll hate volume 7 because I really have a roller coaster of ratings with these. But this was an intense one!
Also, as I've said every single time, the artwork. It is absolutely stunning and intricate and beautiful... seriously, flip through one of these just for the drawings. Amazing.
4.5/5 stars. This series isn't for everyone, but I'm having my fun so far. I guess we'll see.
January 19, 2018
Oh damn!
June 17, 2018
Pretty good, story is getting a bit convoluted. Art remains good.
So, there are so many plots and counter plots and revelations that this is pretty obviously headed to conclusion. I feel bad for poor Dio. Laura is kinda a cry baby again here, which can be a bit annoying but yea, that's not really new. Again, the whole thing is so wrapped up in popular culture, I don't think it will age well, but come back in like 5 years and we'll see.
So, there are so many plots and counter plots and revelations that this is pretty obviously headed to conclusion. I feel bad for poor Dio. Laura is kinda a cry baby again here, which can be a bit annoying but yea, that's not really new. Again, the whole thing is so wrapped up in popular culture, I don't think it will age well, but come back in like 5 years and we'll see.
June 28, 2018
El finaaaaaaaaaaaaal de este tomo la puta madre askdlajls
March 26, 2018
WicDiv has lost a little of its spark. Once the last arc ended, it became apparent that the plot was trudging along blindly the way its characters are. This Part 2 is a step up from the previous volume, has its fair share of action, and a big twist at the end but it felt like a desperate ploy to resuscitate the series. With this twist, however, I think there's no room left for the series to maintain its status quo and go back and forth with what it wants to do with the remaining characters. It's do-or-die, pony-up-or-roll-over time for WicDiv aka it's time to say farewell to this generation of lost gods.
January 20, 2018
As the Imperial Phase comes to an end, we get what we probably expected: overweening pride, selfishness, and ennui causing things to go off the rails. After the quieter previous volume, this is where the action is, and it's exciting and shocking. However, the best of the volume is probably the origin of Woden in the last issue. After six full volumes, Gillen can still keep us guessing, demonstrating why this has been a superior comic the whole time through.
January 22, 2018
So much is going on, so many twists, yet some of them seem a bit random and thus rather underwhelming… Also, felt kind of disconnected from the characters (I don't think I even have a favorite anymore), but perhaps it's due to the long wait between the volumes.
All in all, this volume didn’t blow my mind, but I still like where the story is going (I think, haha. It's a bit all over the place). Oh, and love the art, as always.
All in all, this volume didn’t blow my mind, but I still like where the story is going (I think, haha. It's a bit all over the place). Oh, and love the art, as always.
February 10, 2019
Wow, this volume completely redeemed this series in my eyes. What a pleasant surprise.
June 9, 2020
WOW! Honestly WOW! This is the first volume in this series that I absolutely devoured every second of. This was so freaking good. Even though I am sad about a certain character dying (cause I was so excited about a certain power couple...), but whatever... I get it. These characters aren't going to live much longer anyways (not a spoiler! Says so in the description of the first volume).
Anywho.... I f***ing hate Woden, The Morrigan, and Minerva... really hope they die. Persephone is really the only character that's left that I absolutely care about. So... I'm sure I'm going to be devastated by the end of this series.
Anywho.... I f***ing hate Woden, The Morrigan, and Minerva... really hope they die. Persephone is really the only character that's left that I absolutely care about. So... I'm sure I'm going to be devastated by the end of this series.
December 19, 2020
The other reviews said it all.
Barely realized what's going on, I'm just here mostly for the artwork LOL
The Morrigan reminded me of Amy Winehouse.
Dionysus was asexual, well, I did not realize it.
More deaths and some rather interesting reveals.
Barely realized what's going on, I'm just here mostly for the artwork LOL
The Morrigan reminded me of Amy Winehouse.
Dionysus was asexual, well, I did not realize it.
More deaths and some rather interesting reveals.
December 22, 2017
i'd really love to have a fucking idea about what the fuck is going on
July 27, 2019
Oh man oh man oh man oh man. I can't wait to read the next volume because this one ended on such a cliffhanger that I'm obsessed again and now I want to read volume 7 immediately. Oh man oh man oh man oh man.
I read this for the Reading Rush 2019.
I read this for the Reading Rush 2019.
January 10, 2022
Oh, oh my. That was another cracker of an ending. So many reveals! And they were INTERESTING! So grateful I can binge all in one go, because waiting after that final reveal would be downright mean.
January 3, 2020
[3.5 Stars]
I enjoyed finding out what happened next and the reveal at the end, but I think this series has gone on a bit too long. There are only a few volumes left for me to read, so I hope the series concludes well!
I enjoyed finding out what happened next and the reveal at the end, but I think this series has gone on a bit too long. There are only a few volumes left for me to read, so I hope the series concludes well!
January 12, 2018
When you fall through the rabbit hole, and realize that you're still falling
This series has sucked me in. Quietly, unknowingly. I read the first one, wasn't particularly impressed, but then proceeded to keep reading. Then one day I got a notification from my Hoopla app that the newest volume came out and suddenly I realized how excited I was to read it.
But again, I find myself confused and slightly unsatisfied after reading the newest installment of the series. What is going on with this plot? Seriously, what is the endgame here? How much of the 2 year time frame has passed? How many conspiracies and/or subplots is too many?
It feels like so little is accomplished within each chapter. Everyone argues, Woden is a selfish sexist ass, Persephone sinks deeper into a shithole of existence, the impending evil Darkness still seems too far away to really fear or understand, basically no one understands anything about what's happening. Oh, and a bunch more people die in bloody graphicness. I love the art, but I'm starting to hate most of the characters. Especially Persephone. She's really taken a turn for the worst. She pretty much does nothing but smoke cigarettes, yet is still able to do the most damage to everyone else.
I will admit that the surprise awaiting readers at the end of volume is pretty shocking. Shocking enough that I'll probably pick up the next volume, which will probably not really answer anything. But I've invested this far, and I can only hope a limited amount of volumes stand between us and the end.
This series has sucked me in. Quietly, unknowingly. I read the first one, wasn't particularly impressed, but then proceeded to keep reading. Then one day I got a notification from my Hoopla app that the newest volume came out and suddenly I realized how excited I was to read it.
But again, I find myself confused and slightly unsatisfied after reading the newest installment of the series. What is going on with this plot? Seriously, what is the endgame here? How much of the 2 year time frame has passed? How many conspiracies and/or subplots is too many?
It feels like so little is accomplished within each chapter. Everyone argues, Woden is a selfish sexist ass, Persephone sinks deeper into a shithole of existence, the impending evil Darkness still seems too far away to really fear or understand, basically no one understands anything about what's happening. Oh, and a bunch more people die in bloody graphicness. I love the art, but I'm starting to hate most of the characters. Especially Persephone. She's really taken a turn for the worst. She pretty much does nothing but smoke cigarettes, yet is still able to do the most damage to everyone else.
I will admit that the surprise awaiting readers at the end of volume is pretty shocking. Shocking enough that I'll probably pick up the next volume, which will probably not really answer anything. But I've invested this far, and I can only hope a limited amount of volumes stand between us and the end.
January 21, 2018
I am quickly becoming disappointed with this series. The last two volumes have become a bit meandering and the plot isn't as cohesive as it was before.
What really upset me about this volume was the treatment of Dionysius.
Also, I don't know what it is but there's something about Persephone that just really turns me off her character. I can't put my finger on it.
What really upset me about this volume was the treatment of Dionysius.
Also, I don't know what it is but there's something about Persephone that just really turns me off her character. I can't put my finger on it.
November 19, 2019
Right so this is an odd one!! Imperial Phase part 1 was great and had the setup but then part 2 was a little underwhelming to be honest!! Like most other people, I’m struggling with the story and trying to figure out what they’re doing with it
*side note: should have re-read part 1 before starting this*
I agree with most other people that I think waiting 6 months between volumes is detrimental to the series. Its meant to be read all at once or at least monthly so you keep up with what’s going on.
That being said, the artwork is still on point!! (Little odd in some places, not as polished). I still love the characters, even though some individual story arcs are convoluted. What they’re building up to is still interesting and it still has that HOLY CRAP end moment we’re so used to.
Overall it’s good, not great, could be better but nowhere near the volume 3 fiasco 😂
*side note: should have re-read part 1 before starting this*
I agree with most other people that I think waiting 6 months between volumes is detrimental to the series. Its meant to be read all at once or at least monthly so you keep up with what’s going on.
That being said, the artwork is still on point!! (Little odd in some places, not as polished). I still love the characters, even though some individual story arcs are convoluted. What they’re building up to is still interesting and it still has that HOLY CRAP end moment we’re so used to.
Overall it’s good, not great, could be better but nowhere near the volume 3 fiasco 😂
August 14, 2018
Man, I've really come to love this series, but reading the volumes so far apart really does a disservice to them. I remember really enjoying this volume, but upon trying to write this review, I realized that I didn't remembered much of what actually *happened* (aside from Persephone being super angsty and the giant rave at Valhalla) and had to read a summary on Wikipedia.
After getting that refresher, I can say that I'm stoked to see how Kieron will wrap this series up. I believe there are going to be 2 more volumes, and I can't wait to see how things will go down. The twists at the end of the last issue (Woden! MINERVA!) were stellar.
Seriously though, I need to re-read this series back-to-back when they're all released.
After getting that refresher, I can say that I'm stoked to see how Kieron will wrap this series up. I believe there are going to be 2 more volumes, and I can't wait to see how things will go down. The twists at the end of the last issue (Woden! MINERVA!) were stellar.
Seriously though, I need to re-read this series back-to-back when they're all released.
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