Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #5 continues with Gilad recounting his past and the kidnapping of his son, Kalam. It opens up in Ancient Mesopotamia with Gilad on a solo hunt looking to kill a buck in order to bring it back for his family. He takes his time tracking it and strikes when ready taking no extra pleasure in this kill except to know that his family will have what it needs. However, while he’s out on the hunt a raiding party descends on his village with the leader in the group claiming that the man who finds the “prize” first gets to have all the wine and women he wants. This surprise attack becomes a massacre, and even Gilad’s wife, Janna, puts up a fight but she’s struck down easily by the leader. Apparently they didn’t attack the village to pillage or any other reason except to take Kalam. When Gilad returns he’s far too late to prevent anything but he’s able to discern that his son was taken alive for some reason. So he vows to hunt and kill those responsible for killing his wife and taking his son. Who are these brutal kidnappers and what does this story have to do with Gilad being held prisoner in the present day by one who seemingly knows everything about him?

It was interesting to see Gilad returned to the present captured in a high-tech lab because of all the questions it raised. This issue returns Gilad to the past in another flashback story immediately, and that’s not truly a bad thing because it’s undeniable that his stories excel in those time periods. And the opening sequence with Juan Jose Ryp’s artwork was perfect to show Gilad’s determination in tracking those who killed his family and made the kidnapping of his son more intriguing. Ryp’s style is almost flawless in capturing the brutality involved in massacres ranging from the facial expressions showing sheer terror on the faces of the vims to the viciousness in the eyes of the attackers. But I also love the way it captures the emotion in touching moments as well such as when Gilad discovers what happened to his family. And that’s what carries this issue since it’s set entirely in the past.

The first question I asked was why Kalam? The way the story unfolded with flashbacks of Gilad having a deep discussion with his wife about having a child interspersed between his progress tracking the horde was pretty intense, and only made me want to know the answer even more. Unfortunately this wasn’t answered this issue and other than just assuming it’s connected to the fact that Gilad is eternal there wasn’t much to go on. Granted some of this was covered in the first story arc however this would’ve been a good time to shed a little more light on that. However, this was great character development and the sequence was extremely engrossing, and as a result, this issue didn’t feel like it was dragging at all.

This issue serving as a setup to eventually get to Gilad’s connection to a new enemy called the Dying One was an entertaining read. Knowing that made this issue even better because the conclusion didn’t feel like the issue ended right when it was getting started. And since this is supposed to be a big part of the puzzle explaining the Labyrinth and the one behind it, I can’t wait to see what is revealed next issue.

SUMMARY

Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #5 is a powerful start to the story arc detailing in graphic nature the massacre of Gilad’s village and the kidnapping of his son. It’s effective in making Gilad’s motivation extremely clear, and the manner in which this issue unfolds is engrossing with its flashbacks and beautiful artwork. There isn’t any additional information given about the Labyrinth or why Gilad’s son was targeted but the conclusion of this issue makes me feel that next issue will have the necessary answers. And that’s what I’m definitely looking forward to reading.

Release Date: 3/16/16

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Juan Jose Ryp