G.O.D.S. #4 faces down Oblivion when another devotee of the In-Betweener threatens to unleash a reality-ending object inside the Library of Worlds.
Is G.O.D.S. #4 Good?
Slowly. Ever so slowly, G.O.D.S. #4 starts to give this series shape with a plot, purpose, direction, and stakes. The goal hasn’t quite crystallized, but it looks like Jonathan Hickman decided he’s built enough of the worlds and characters to move the train out of the station.
When last we left Wyn, Aiko, and the assorted cast of characters, Aiko and Mia crossed paths with Wyn and Dr. Strange at the moment a Cassandra (Don’t ask. I don’t get it either.) entered the Library of Worlds to kill another follower of the In-Betweener before he unleashed a devastating weapon that looks like an everlasting gobstopper.
Now, we learn how that devotee, Robert Forson, was groomed over the years to become a technical genius in preparation for this day of terrorism. Wyn and Strange combine a series of time loops to stop the explosion and the devotee, making enemies of Oblivion in the process. When they investigate how Forson came to be in his present predicament through another Skinner Box, similar to the one used by Cubisk Core, Strange and Wyn learn someone or something has been training a massive army of brainwashed terrorists for a very long time.
The challenge with this series so far has been the lack of purpose. World-building gives you a scenario or situation but not a story. This issue takes clearer steps toward fixing that lack of purpose, so as long as interested readers haven’t already tuned out, Hickman may be realizing the potential of issue #1.
![](https://weirdsciencemarvelcomics.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/gods-4-p2.jpg?w=675)
What’s great about G.O.D.S. #4? Hickman prioritizes creating a conflict with massive stakes, which presents Wyn with a much greater threat than the one he easily resolved in issue #1. Some powerful force (presumably the In-Betweener) begins to unleash long-gestating, brainwashed terrorists into the meeting places of Science and Magic with weapons of mass destruction. Okay, now you’re cooking with incense.
What’s not so great about G.O.D.S. #4? Aiko’s (Science) acquisition of Mia (Magic) as a trainee still doesn’t make much sense, which is a no-no when you consider how much time Hickman devoted to world- and character-building. Plus, the pacing is a sore spot when, after four issues, we still don’t know what kind of journey we’re taking, which is also a no-no considering the higher-than-average cover price.
How’s the art? Valerio Schiti is doing a masterful job giving form to Hickman’s fancy. Hickman plays with ideas and concepts from warped perspectives of reality, especially through Robert Forson’s eyes, so it benefits the issue greatly to have Schiti ground the visuals to make the story accessible.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces
G.O.D.S. #4 slowly but surely transitions the series from pure character- and world-building into a story with an actual plot and stakes. If Hickman keeps going where it looks like he’s going, this series could have reality-ending consequences on a bigger scale than one we’ve seen in some time. Plus, Schiti’s art goes a long way toward keeping Hickman’s higher concepts grounded and accessible.
8.2/10