Organized religion, sci-fi, and the concept of a Superman-type hero at the center of it all combine beautifully in Napalm Lullaby. The series has slowly revealed its main characters, both superpowered people who seek to take down the church. If you’ve been wondering how it all makes sense, from the Janitor to the main character’s origins, Napalm Lullaby #5 has the answers.
Napalm Lullaby #5 picks up where we left off as Sarah and Sam wake up after being captured by the church. Awaiting them is their mother, who almost immediately dives into how she got where she is inside the church. It’s a flashback issue from her perspective.
This issue is partly an origin story for the father of Sarah and Sam, who is more or less the same as Superman; only cult psychos used him to progress their plan of changing the world. Writer Rick Remender picks the story around when the father is eight or nine years old. It turns out Sam and Sarah’s birth was thanks to love at first sight. An endearing element, these flashbacks show their father is a victim of obeying and bending the knee to the cult. It’s particularly tragic when you consider he’s likely powerful enough to kill everyone.
Time to wake up.
Credit: Image
And so, this issue is largely about how the patriarchy can subdue even the most powerful. A science fiction story with plenty of truth behind it, Napalm Lullaby #5 shows what would happen if a cultish church had the ability to take over the world. We see how this meant erasing history, subduing countries, and maintaining ultimate control.
At the same time, the story doesn’t feel like it’s a knock on religion. Instead, this issue leans more into a cult taking advantage of people. A lot of what is wrong with the church seems to be due to folks at the top actively manipulating others to their own ends, not because they believe in God.
If you were wondering about the Janitor, a character very much like Supergirl, this issue has answers for you. Her origin is also messy and handled in a way that’s relatable. In the last issue, she came off as a homicidal maniac, but we see she’s a person, too. The church seems to be able to turn people into monsters, however.
Bengal draws a great issue, with a highlight being the machine that’s keeping Sam and Sarah’s dad asleep. The pipes and tubes have a Kirby-esque visual aesthetic that’s quite pleasing. Much of the flashbacks are told via four or five panels per page with captions to the left. This requires each panel to be efficient and clear, which Bengal pulls off wonderfully.
Napalm Lullaby #5 adds context to a world of servitude and control thanks to a Superman-like figure. The heroes were captured last issue, but they’ve gained an edge that’ll make you want the next issue now.
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