Writer – Matt Kindt
Penciller – Trevor Hairsine
Inker – Ryan Winn
Colourist – David Baron
Letterer – David Lanphear
Published by Valiant Comics
Matt Kindt’s script throughout Divinity discusses the flipping through of one’s life story, like it were the pages of some sacred text. We as individuals pave the way for these pages to be written out, even if they aren’t done in a literal sense. In the case of Abram Adams, or Divinity, his impact as a godlike figure has become more prevalent as the series has progressed and hits a pinnacle by the end of this final issue. Deep down, most people on this planet search for a sense of meaning, of a purpose to live and a certain hope of your existence making an impact of some sort. This impact, to some, is a hope that you will live on, whether it is in the form of an offspring, through a work of art, literature, business, etc. Imagine if your main purpose, your driving force to maintain living, was no longer there. That is exactly what Abram encounters.
In the final battle with Unity, it is revealed that the appearance of Abram’s girlfriend and daughter, from the end of the last issue, is merely a digital recording, a distraction. The entire creative team deserves a massive round of applause for this entire series, but the emotional resonance is none stronger than the scene in which Abram’s world, his reality, his purpose, comes crashing down into nothingness. Spoilers are forewarned, as the reveal of the digital distraction is further felt when not only has Abram’s girlfriend died, but his daughter has passed on as well. Abram is completely gutted. The two women appear beside their graves with Abram in the foreground, only his back is visible. For this entire two-page scene, Abram’s face is never visible, allowing for the reveal to feel even more personal. Abram’s purposes ages in front of him, their final days recanted, only to drift and disappear into the wind.
Hairsine’s pencils are so great at capturing motion, even when it’s subtly done. The flowing of characters’s hair and the placing of leaves and dirt as it flies in the air creates a real sense of a blowing wind that adds more tension to the action scenes. The balance of the battle scenes with the subdued, heartstring pulling moments are handled with grace alongside the inks of Ryan Win and David Baron’s colours, as they detail the scratches upon the warriors’ faces only to switch to descending teardrops. Abram’s face after the reveal mentioned above, encapsulates all the artists’ work; the lines and shadowing alongside the blank stare perfectly capture Kindt’s words in Dave Lanphear’s lettered box: “nothing.” There are so many great moments where the artwork translates the act of showing better than telling, this just being one good example.
Abram’s godlike appearance and stature appears to have made quite the impact on the civilians of the Australian land that he returned to Earth on. David Camp, whose only appearance was in issue #1, returns here to lead the way on interrupting the members of Unity and insure that Divinity’s impact will live on no matter what.
It is always a sad moment to have a great mini series like Divinity end after only four issues, but the moment turns bittersweet upon confirmation that Valiant will be releasing a second part next year! Fans of Divinity won’t have to wait that long to rekindle with Abram Adams as it is revealed that he will make in appearance in August’s release of Imperium as well.
Though it appeared as if Abram’s conclusion was going to end on a sad note, his optimistic view on his contained situation is to focus more on the positive moments of his life. He chooses to reminisce and value the pages of his life story that are in the form of good memories; perhaps something that more of us should intend to do on a daily basis.
