By Alex Batts — Once again, we return to this… another installment in The Wicked + The Divine Re-read Project. This issue features the incredibly talented Stephanie Hans as guest artist, and the story in the book takes a closer look at the character of Amaterasu. Let’s get into it…

The Wicked + The Divine #15

Here’s the official solicitation text for The Wicked + The Divine #15, which was first released back on October 14, 2015:

STEPHANIE HANS's Amaterasu alternate cover was so stunning we figured doing a whole issue of that would be a good idea. Plus JAMIE and MATT on a back-up, obv.

So, this solicit doesn’t really give much information in regards to plot for this issue, but it does hit what will be the highlight, and that’s Stephanie Hans on art. Her Amaterasu, and work in general, is spectacular. And getting more time with Amaterasu is a plus.

The Cover: This cover continues our body-portrait line of covers, this time featuring the Sun Goddess herself, Amaterasu. Illustrated and colored by McKelvie and Wilson, this cover is bright. It perfectly reflects Amaterasu’s energy and personality and highlights her warmth, care, and underlying ferocity. We haven’t seen her do a ton, yet, but this cover hints at how unrelentingly powerful she can be. It’s also just pure eye candy.

The First Page: The first page is a flashback, and hints at some of that ferocity I just mentioned. We see Amaterasu at what appears to be a boarding school, as she is picked on by a fellow student. Rather than do nothing, Amaterasu (then called Hazel), bites the hell out of the boy’s arm. It’s pretty brutal and shows that Hazel doesn’t back down from anyone.

The flashback also highlights Hazel’s affinity, appreciation, and connection to Japanese culture and mythology. The boy had grabbed (what appears to be) a wooden dog from Hazel’s backpack and is making fun of her for having a toy. After getting the dog back, her friend remarks on her carrying around a “toy” and when she says it’s a lovely dog Hazel cuts her off, “She’s not a dog. She’s Amaterasu. And she’s mine.”

On-Page Action: This issue takes place soon after the death of Tara (at the end of issue 13) and shows the Pantheon’s (well, half of them) reaction to it. Baal, Sakhmet, Dionysus, Woden, and Ananke are all waiting for Amaterasu when she arrives at the hospital. She asks what happens to which Baal replies, “Fucking Baphomet.” Which, is incredible considering we know the real culprit is right there in the room with them, and another party (Woden) is also aware of this. The added information that we have creates great suspense and further intrigue because we desperately want the rest of the Pantheon to learn the truth, but Ananke has their full trust and Woden on a leash.

While the Pantheon is gathered Ananke mentions that she fears Baphomet is acting on more than pure rage, and that he may be being manipulated by a demon of the darkness. She fears that a war between the light (what the Pantheon brings to humanity) and the darkness is coming and that she fears for the future. This is grade A, master manipulation right here. Ananke has orchestrated much of what has happened and now plays up her paranoia to continue manipulating the Pantheon.

Dionysus is the first to question that they may not even know for sure it was Baphomet who killed Tara (he’s right) but Woden argues that it was (defending Ananke). Dionysus quickly leaves to continue performing, helping people while he can, causing a schism between him and Baal. We also then see a verbal spat between Baal and Sakhmet, showing just how easily divided the Pantheon is.

Throughout the issue, we get a handful of panels of flashbacks to Amaterasu (Hazel) visiting someone in a hospital, who we can assume is a recently deceased family member. Being in the hospital keeps bringing back memories for her and we get a sense of some of the trauma she carries. She goes into one of the other rooms to check on Kerry (the ex-Valkyrie who tried to kill Woden) and Minerva and Beth and her camera crew are all at Kerry’s bedside.

Minerva notes that the rest of the Pantheon wouldn’t let her in to see Tara, and Amaterasu says it was probably for the best. Minerva also says that something about the situation doesn’t feel right, what happened with Luci, Morrigan, and Tara, it doesn’t add up(as if someone is pulling the strings). Being the goddess of wisdom Amaterasu says that Minerva needs to help the rest of them figure it out.

Then Urdr enters the scene and we get our major conflict for the issue. She’s got a problem with Beth being there, even though Beth was invited by Woden, and then she picks a verbal bout with Amaterasu. Amaterasu, not taking any grief from anyone without fighting back, quickly teleports herself and Urdr to Hiroshima after the pair started disagreeing about whether or not Amaterasu was actually the Japanese Goddess. The entire sequence is visually stunning and they both touch on ideas about what is and isn’t appropriate in regards to culture that I feel unqualified to comment on.

Amaterasu notes that Urdr cares more about ideals than people and that her ideals are hurting people. Urdr argues they have a duty, regardless of the ramifications to individuals. After Amaterasu turns into a literal artificial sun above Hiroshima, and Urdr points out how offensive that is, the pair cool off and have a genuinely nice moment of bonding. Amaterasu was a fan of Urdr’s videos and blogs before they both become part of the Pantheon.

One of my favorite dichotomies occurs at the end of their conversation as Amaterasu says, “Everything happens for a reason” while Urdr retorts that, “Nothing happens for a reason.” It’s so interesting that two people who, while they had vastly different lives, are in a position of immense power and are part of a tapestry of something much larger than themselves yet take completely opposite stances on the subject of meaning.

Amaterasu then leaves and returns to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo that we saw her at near the very beginning of the issue. We find that she’s there to pay respects to her father, and as she’s doing so she asks and prayers for him to look after those that have passed and those that still live. It’s an incredibly touching moment and shows the depths of Amaterasu’s faith but also her hopes that there is something after life, and that there is meaning in both life and death.

Deeper Meaning: This issue reflects upon people’s acceptance of who they are and what others think of them. It also touches on the appropriateness of culture and culture appropriation in various conditions and circumstances. It’s a rather nuanced conversation, and I myself still have much to learn regarding it. The issue also showcases what people say all the time, that we don’t know what someone has been through.

Amaterasu seems rather upbeat and calm (for the most part) but we see parts of her life that were extremely difficult, and we see that she can lose her temper, partly because of what she’s been through but also because that’s who she is as a person. We also see how much of an impact faith, culture, and mythology have on people. Amaterasu has become a literal goddess, but that hasn’t stopped her from going to shrines and praying for the departed and living. If anything, her newfound ascension has strengthened her resolve and faith that everything does happen for a reason.

The Art: The art! From cover to cover, this issue looks like a beautiful watercolor painting. Stephanie Hans does an outstanding job on every panel. It’s teeming with life and light. All the characters' expressions are nuanced and easily readable, with an intense amount of emotion portrayed in their eyes.

The layouts and action are dynamic and engaging, and the colors, my goodness the colors are out of this world. Every page is truly breathtaking, especially the moments when Amaterasu is using her godly abilities. Hans also does an immaculate job at conveying quiet, somber, moments that look like paintings. The story here is superb, but the art steals the show.

The Wicked + The Divine #15

The Wicked + The Divine #15
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Stephanie Hans
Colorist: Matt Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
STEPHANIE HANS's Amaterasu alternate cover was so stunning we figured doing a whole issue of that would be a good idea. Plus JAMIE and MATT on a back-up, obv.
Buy It Online: Wicked + Divine #15

Click here to read past installments of the Wic + Div Re-Read.

Alex Batts is from Texas. A lifelong comic book enthusiast and movie lover, if he’s not talking about comics, he’s probably not talking. You can find him on Twitter by following @BatmanFiles