American Gods #4 has Shadow and Mr. Wednesday recruiting Czernobog to their cause. This issue continues with Shadow and Czernobog continuing their game of checkers. After taking the first of Shadow’s pieces, Czernobog confidently declares the game has been won. Czernobog asks if Shadow would like to wager on the game with some unusual terms. Czernobog states that if Shadow wins then he’ll go with Shadow and Mr. Wednesday but if he wins he gets to knock Shadow’s brains out with the sledgehammer. Shadow agrees to the terms despite Mr. Wednesday’s objections, and the game continues.

Even when he loses the game, Shadow doesn’t lose his cool. He says to Czernobog that there’s still time before dinner and challenges him to another game. He gets Czernobog to accept by mentioning the fact it’s been a long time since Czernobog swung his sledgehammer. If Czernobog wins he gets to take more than one shot at Shadow. So the game begins again. But has Shadow bitten off more than he can chew or is he capable of more than even Mr. Wednesday knows?

Shadow’s character has a high likability factor so it’s easy to root for him because he comes off as genuine. In comparison, Wednesday is very charming as demonstrated by his interactions with the sisters. However, his words and actions reek of ulterior motives and he comes off as one willing to use whoever to achieve his goals. So when Shadow is visited by Zorya in the middle of the night, the hope is he gains a true ally. I won’t give anything away but the interaction was as magical as the feat she accomplished. Also, it clarified earlier events involving Shadow.

SUMMARY

American Gods #4 is a riveting issue that gives much-needed depth to various characters. The checkers match between Shadow and Czernobog set the stage for the entire issue as much as the next chain of events with Wednesday. Shadow continues to impress me from the way he handled Czernobog as well as his interactions with Zorya. And Essie’s story is a wonderful example of how this series has intertwined American history with the mythos of various gods. I don’t know Wednesday’s overall plan but the character dynamics guarantee it’ll all unfold in an entertaining way. I can’t wait for more.