Assassin’s Creed #8 continues with Quila and Pardo attempting to warn the Emperor about an assassination plot against him. It opens up with the two of them still tied up after being taken captive last issue, and Pardo attempts to get the guard’s attention. Pardo asks the guard if he’s ever used the knife he’s holding them captive with and it’s enough to bait the guard to getting close enough to knock him out and cut their binds. The Quipu, the message proving the plot against the Emperor, is destroyed during this encounter and Prado and Quila can do nothing but run from the force rallying against them. She arrives at the gates of the capital warning about the plot against the Emperor but she’s turned away since she has no proof. But who can she convince to stop this plot and who is truly behind it? Meanwhile animosity grows between Charlotte and Galina to the point of splintering the team. Can they unite to defend themselves against multiple threats?

I was initially optimistic about Pardo when he goaded the guard to making a mistake that freed him and Quila despite Quila’s reminder that they were only captured because of Pardo. Apparently this was just a means to have the message destroyed so Quila didn’t have any proof. And no, the panel didn’t suggest that this was Pardo’s true intention. This did lead to a sequence where Quila had to resort to different means to get her message across and that was by visiting her husband. It was interesting to see more of Quila’s backstory and the impact her decision had on their family. Even though a lot occurred here and when Quila would have to explain the situation to her father-in-law, the result gave a strong sense of deja vu because the same thing just about happened last issue. And that made me wish there was more to Quila’s story than her always attempting to prove herself in every issue.

SUMMARY

Assassin’s Creed #8 is a decent issue but is also the lethargic point in the story arc since some of the events feel like the goal is to keep the characters in a holding pattern until more interesting developments. The character development is entertaining with more revealed about Quila’s backstory and the potential connection to the current assassination plot. However, Pardo’s bumbling removes all progression and I hope the next issue advances past that. It’s good that Charlotte sees some action again, and the conclusion to this issue is a shocker that makes me look forward to next issue.

Release Date:5/11/16

Writer: Anthony Del Col, Conor McCreery

Artist: Neil Edwards