Nemesis The Warlock: Instruction No. 1, Rival Gods, Farewell to Satanus

It still made me chuckle when – after being given the grand tour of the torture chamber – Torquemada finally realises he is going to undergo Instruction Number Five – Torture!

I’m blown away by Nemesis the Warlock: the Definitive Edition, Vols 1 and 2. My compliments to the publishers, Rebellion, and especially their designer Gemma Sheldrake for the truly inspired front and back covers.

Volume 2 is now on sale from the 2000AD store.

Such a Definitive Edition requires a Definitive Commentary, a companion piece for when you’re looking at the beautiful art by art-creator Kevin O’Neill and the other talented artists that followed him. So it’s time for The Secret History of Nemesis the Warlock, an episode by episode revelation of what really went on behind the scenes.

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Episode 4 – Instruction Number One

The early pages of this episode are hard to follow visually, although the script is straightforward enough. But it’s made up for by the hideous character of Torquemada. No longer wearing a helmet, his evil emanates off the page, a truly compelling and insane character, such as when he introduces himself, with his head skewed to one side. John’s ability to depict cruel villains is probably unique. Similarly, in Third World War, John drew Inspector Ryan, an insane racist who undoubtedly stole the show. I’ve never seen such malevolence in a face. The early parts of Third World War  have been collected by Rebellion, but not the Ryan stories, as far as I know. Worth looking out for them.

The final page of this episode is one of my favourites.