Nemesis the Warlock: Episodes 9-12

'Nemesis is a story about how xenophobia is so central to the human experience that disgust over the existence of aliens would derail literally every other political program.’

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

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 Nine: The Temple of Terminus

We now see the Seven Chapters of the Terminators in a remarkable final image. I remember at the time being startled to see black Terminators amongst them. This was an idea of Kevin’s and he was absolutely right to feature them, because it points to the universal power and potency of Torquemada’s message. For the first time all humanity – all races – are united against the enemy from outer space. It was clever and thoughtful of Kevin to pick that up so early in the story. 

Comics Journal made a similar point recently. They said, ‘At its deepest, darkest core, Nemesis is a story about how xenophobia is so central to the human experience that disgust over the existence of aliens would derail literally every other political program.’

Episode Ten: The Pandemonium Player

In this episode there’s an amusing cameo suggested by my then partner Angela Kincaid. Two Terminator guards are complaining.

First Terminator: ‘The only trouble with wearing these spiked boots is you have to keep picking the Zylphs off.’

The Zylphs were tiny aliens.

Second Terminator: Yes. But if you don’t wear them, they run up your cassock.’