Revival #25

written by Tim Seeley
art by Mike Norton

Part of what makes Revival so credible as a social satire, a sometimes devastating critique of American dysfunction, is the plethora of motivations always in play:  petty, predictable ones, like money, that leave unprincipled mercenaries like Reviver facility guard Kyle open to bribery; bitter, vindictive ones that spur Ed Holt into revolutionary action; desperation; avoidance of public humiliation; faith; compassion; love; grief; a desire for death; shame; obligation; betrayal.  It's not particularly surprising, then, to discover that Jess Blackdeer isn't the prime force behind the Revival conspiracy.  He was instead its first victim.

Warned by his bought guard at the holding facility that his strong-arm Reviver hadn't yet returned and rounds were about to be conducted, a black-clad, gloved, reflective spectacled conspirator hunts him down at his daughter's funeral.  And he (probably he, though it's not definitive) has no difficulty in wrestling Blackdeer to the ground.  His promise: lasting death.

Meanwhile, protesters arrive at the facility, followed shortly after by the sheriff.  Aided by Jordan Borchardt's father, Ed Holt enlists the help of Jeannie Gorski and the Revival Support Group to stage a demonstration for the release of the Revivers being held there.  The sight is a grotesque with the wide- and vacant-eyed Revivers singing spirituals and crucifying Gorski just outside the gates.  And like it or not, deprived of the threat of death, the protesters don't have all that much to fear from the armed guards.  It also brings the unknown facility and quarantine practices into the view of Sheriff and Dana Cypress.  And he more than holds his own.

Unfortunately, the same discovery alienates Dana from Ramin, who as an agent of the CDC was fully aware of the facility's existence and practices, though he didn't exactly approve.  She rightfully feels betrayed, especially given her confidence in him regarding her sister.  After growing closer in the last few issues, sharing phone calls interrupted by dead toads in the washing machine and staying the night with pillowtalk and take-out, Dana pulls back.

But the most tantalizing promise Revival #25 makes is the hunt for Aaron Weimar, father to Reviver Em's baby and known (by readers) to have been killed by Blackdeer a while back.  With his involvement not yet resolved and the reemergence of Blaine Abel, it promises to be quite the search.

[November 2014]