Assassin’s Creed #4 continues with Charlotte discovering the truth behind Tom Stoddard’s experience in Salem with the piece of Eden. She’s on the clock too with Xavier and Galina disagree about their next course of action regarding Joseph, the missing Assassin. Not only does Galina believe Joseph is a traitor but also believes that Charlotte’s inexperience with an Animus will prevent her from syncing long enough to uncover the truth. It doesn’t help that what Charlotte is currently experience is Tom being tortured by the Templars who want to know what he’s hiding about the piece of Eden.

Knowing that Tom won’t break regardless of how much he’s tortured, the Templar decides to target the children starting with the boy first. At that moment the girl starts reciting prophecies stating the boy will live a long life but she also gives a message to Charlotte telling her that the answers she’s looking for is not with Querry but in the Devil’s book. What does this cryptic message to Charlotte really mean and can she figure it out in time before Xavier and Galina make the wrong decision? And can Stoddard survive long enough for them to discover what happened to the piece of Eden?

I appreciated this issue starting off in the present day with Galina and Xavier reminding the reader what was at stake, and making the past events feel more relevant. Charlotte’s importance increased organically through this and it added a certain intensity to her experiencing Stoddard’s torture. Considering there has always been some conflict between Charlotte and Stoddard this was a good character development moment with more being revealed about their respective mindsets working towards a common goal. But what I loved most about this sequence was that it wasn’t gimmicky and when events unfolded they were meaningful and with lasting results. And as far as Assassin’s and Templars everything wasn’t black and white.

I won’t give away any spoilers because this issue was too good. I know it can be a cliché to say something had one on the edge of one’s seat but this issue was so suspenseful I could feel my blood pressure rising as I was anxious to turn every page and see what was going to happen next. The only thing that kept me from doing so was the time I had to spend admiring Neil Edward’s artwork. The combination of character development, action and story progression created the perfect world to be immersed in full of clues and interesting twists. The first story arc in this series concludes next issue and if everything leading to it is any indication of what will occur in those pages then I could see this series becoming my favorite down the line.

SUMMARY

Assassin’s Creed #4 is arguably the best issue in the series with its high-octane action, meaningful character development and engrossing story flow. The transition between the past and present is deftly handled so the suspense builds consistently throughout leading to a satisfying twist. The pace is amazing since it doesn’t feel rushed or slow, but like a well-trained assassin this issue strikes at the right moment. And now I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this story arc with bated breath.

Release Date:1/13/15

Writer: Anthony Del Col, Conor McCreery

Artist: Neil Edwards