The children are manipulated so that, as their sacrifice, their joy is harvested, leaving them as husks. But does this benefit the world and the children’s families, or only a privileged few? Find out in The Sacrificers #4 from Image Comics!

THE SACRIFICERS #4

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Max Fiumara
Colorist: Dave McCaig
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Editor: Harper Jaten
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 1, 2023

Previously in The Sacrificers: In Rokos’ castle, preparations are underway for the Harvest Gala, which happens only every twenty years. Soluna is not allowed to attend, but she is determined to watch from an upstairs landing. The people attending are the most privileged in the country, and Soluna has nothing but disdain for them. Soluna’s mother, Queen Luna, arrives, drawing barbs from Xia. Meanwhile, Pigeon and the other sacrifices enjoy games, music, and snacks. A puppet show tells stories of the gods who are at the Harvest Gala. A group of singing adults arrives to cheerfully pick four special youngsters to go with them to a fancy feast for the gods. Noom is chosen; Pigeon is not. Under the guise of getting their hair done, spikes drill into their heads literally siphoning off their happiness which is subsequently decanted into glasses and taken to the Harvest Gala.

WHAT ARE THE SACRIFICES REALLY FOR?

The Sacrificers #4 opens on the night of the Harvest Gala but in the country where Pigeon’s family lives. The people there are also celebrating. There are lights, fireworks, food, and music. But Pigeon’s parents sit at a table, quiet and almost numb. Pigeon’s little sister runs up to their father and reminds him that he told her Pigeon was in a good place. The man and his wife bury their faces in their hands to hide the tears. After drinking, Pigeon’s father storms around the fair, calling out people for adoring the gods, sacrificing their children, and celebrating their loss. Why do the gods not have to make a sacrifice? The stoic man is heartbroken.

At the Gala, smiling servants pass glasses of blue elixir out to all the attendees. The Caretaker approaches Rokos and claims that this year is his finest recipe yet. Rokos toasts his guests, telling them that the elixir will ensure they can continue their labors for keeping the world perfect. They each get a small taste of the harvest. He continues, talking about how everything is finite, that nothing lasts forever, that at some point even they must pass. As Soluna watches, her mother counters this. They do not pass. They are not gods; they are parasites. She toasts to the blood of the innocent, drops her glass onto the stone floor, and walks out. Rokos makes an additional toast to her.

The guests raise their glasses to toast and then drink deeply. And then we see them, guests who were old, with wrinkled skin and graying hair, become young again. They raise their glasses and celebrate Rokos. Soluna sees it all and is horrified. She also sees the Caretaker suddenly slip away from the party….

IS PAIN A FAIR PRICE FOR JOY?

The opening scene of The Sacrificers #4 is incredibly powerful. The first panel sets up the noise and cheerful bustle of the festivities and then we see Pigeon’s parents in the center of it all. A chance glow of light catches them in their stillness and shared solitude. Everyone is having a wonderful time but them. It has been weeks since Pigeon left, but the festival sharply reminds them of what they have lost. The pain of having lied to their little girl strikes both parents hard. Is the price they pay for a perfect life and a perfect world in fact too high? I like that after accepting Pigeon’s father’s stoicism, we now witness his pain and realize how much he was hiding from the entire family. He ultimately collapses to the ground in grief while above him, more fireworks go off. The irony is disquieting.

Last issue, we saw the elixir being made. Now we see exactly what we feared – the glasses of elixir being brought to the party. I love the color palette for the party scene. Rokos, the sun god, is the host and his castle is depicted in warm color, tawny golds and browns, and muted reds. There are some other colors, just enough for variety, and muted so as not to clash. Against these, the bright blue of the elixir has an unearthly glow that makes it the focus of every panel. We realize just how old each of the gods looks and how happy they are to receive a glass of the precious liquid. It is agonizing to watch as what we fear will happen does happen.

BOTTOM LINE: DO THE GODS UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DEMAND?

Finally, we see the connection at the heart of The Sacrificers #4, what exactly is the sacrifice, and who reaps the actual benefits. While everyone repeats that this is all for the best for everyone, we cannot help but wonder who really gets the benefit and whether the cost is, in fact, too high.