The Wicked + The Divine

The Pantheon

Every Occurrence, 12 separate Gods/Goddesses reincarnate into either gender. Lucifer has had the most reincarnations, appearing five times in the issues and six altogether. Minerva has appeared four times Baal, The Morrigan, Dionysus, Inanna, Set, and Woden have appeared three times, and Amaterasu, Mimir and The Norns have appeared twice, with every other God/Goddess having at least one known reincarnation. The 2010s Recurrence features the mysterious appearance of a 13th Goddess, Persephone. However, it was shown during the 1920s Recurrence that Persephone also appeared, her head having been removed prior or during the events of the Recurrence. None of the other Gods seemed to recognize her, which indicates either she has been killed immediately by Ananke in the past, or has been hidden by Ananke from the other Gods. It has since been revealed that Minerva is not a proper god, automatically created shortly before the next Occurrence begins and working with Ananke the whole time.

Ananke appears to act along with the Pantheon, serving as their representative to the public, but is also outside of them. Unlike the others she is not a teenager and has aged, but still is able to function. She functions almost as a parent, and reveals that she gave up her divinity during an earlier cycle of The Recurrence to protect future members of The Pantheon. Although she is stern with the deities who are resurrected, she seems to have a genuine maternal connection to them, saying that she will miss them before she kills them, and crying after she does so. It is revealed she, working with Minerva, has been removing the heads of Gods in the previous cycles in order to prevent the coming of the Darkness by completing a ritual using the intact heads of four Gods. The Gods who have had their heads removed previously do not remember having it occur in past Recurrences, as Inanna, the Morrigan and Lucifer of the 2010s cycle had their heads removed in each of their prior incarnations, but do not flee when Ananke has attempted to remove their heads in the case of Inanna and Lucifer.

Flashbacks shown to the 1923 Occurrence appear to show that each Minerva uses the power of the ritual to kill the current Ananke (each having been the previous incarnation of Minerva), and take her place for the next cycle; remembering every previous Occurrence in the process and taking the name of Ananke for that cycle. Further brief flashbacks to every Occurrence throughout history show a variety of outcomes for an Ananke awakening a Persephone. In most Ananke kills and/or takes the head of Persephone, (featuring twice where Minerva did this instead of Ananke); in some Ananke embraces Persephone as she does with the other gods; a few Persephone escape; some Persephone fight back occasionally wounding Ananke- twice killing Ananke and at least once where they killed each other. A Minerva has never been shown dying so therefore the cycle would continue through her even if something happened to the current Ananke before the ritual could be completed. Flashbacks to 3127 B.C. show the Minerva attempt to use herself in place of the fourth head; the ritual turned on her sending her into ninety years of darkness, until the next Minerva appeared swearing to never let that happen again. The 2014 Occurrence with Laura Wilson is the first time a third party has interfered with Ananke/Minerva and Persephone's encounter.

The 2010s Occurrence:

• Amaterasu - Formerly Emily Greenaway, who went by the name Hazel Oak Ash Thorn Greenaway and became Amaterasu at the age of 17. A fan of Shinto culture from her childhood, she is commonly accused of cultural appropriation. Before being transformed, she was a fan of Cassandra's writing and drew a lot of fan art. She has the ability to "step" by sunlight as a way to teleport, with Wōden giving her a machine to do it by starlight. She has a very optimistic outlook on life and tries to be kind and friendly, stating that as a God she must be an inspiration. She also cares deeply for her fellow Gods and others, praying for them all. Murdered by Sakhmet slashing her throat.
• Baal - Formerly Valentine Campbell. Baal was the first God to emerge from the 2014 Occurrence. He was once with Inanna, before Inanna cheated on him with Lucifer, making him overly aggressive, but still not over him. He presents himself as aggressive, but is shown to have a softer side. His powers are electrical in nature, using it to make his car go faster and erect a cage of lightning. Actually the sky and fire god Baal Hammon, using sacrificial children to this day; one every four months to banish the Great Darkness that killed his father.
• Dionysus - Formerly Umar. Has the power to produce a drug-like euphoria, with the added function to control people affected by it. He first appears as a fan during The Morrigan's gig, before he is transformed. His powers have consequences though, as he can constantly hear people's voices in his head and can't sleep. Declared brain-dead after Wōden took control of a crowd of fans using Dionysus' powers. As a fan, Umar met Cameron and gave him a ride to one of The Morrigan's early gigs. Cameron would become Nergal as a result. Umar would try filming The Morrigan as she left the gig; instead seeing himself die in a hospital room, foreshadowing his fate.
• Inanna - Formerly Zahid. He first met Laura at the original Ragnarock when he was still human, where he blended in and mostly went ignored, but his personality changed when he was transformed, becoming a lot more outgoing. He was also a fan of Cassandra's writing. He runs a Residency which can go on for weeks at a time and frequently turns into orgies. In the early days of Godhood, he was in a relationship with Baal, which ended when Inanna slept with Lucifer. His powers included Divination and "stepping" (teleporting) by starlight. Murdered by Ananke. Head is being kept alive in order to complete the ritual to banish the darkness.
• Lucifer - Her original name was Eleanor Rigby (a reference to the Beatles song of the same name) and she was turned into Lucifer at the age of 18.^[12] She first meets Laura after an Amaterasu concert and offers Laura divinity in exchange for her help. She enjoys being rebellious against authority and has a desire for people to notice her, which being on stage allowed her to indulge in. Her powers appeared to be fire-based, often demonstrated by causing explosions and lighting cigarettes. Killed by Ananke. Head is being kept alive in order to complete the ritual to banish the darkness.
• Minerva - The youngest member of the Pantheon at 12 years old, she is kept away from important discussions by the others despite her desire to be involved. It is indicated that the reason Minerva is so young is that as a virgin Goddess, her hosts can only be virgins themselves. This seems to be supported by the fact that her previous incarnation in the 1920s was also a young girl. Secretly not one of the gods and part of Ananke's form of immortality. Her supposed parents appear to control her every move, living with her in Valhalla; though they are just unrelated people paid off by Ananke and Minerva in a ruse. She has a pet mechanical owl she calls Owly. It is revealed that she has all of Ananke's knowledge and carries on their plans. Revelations shown in 1923 suggests each Minerva kills each Ananke at the end of each cycle, considering themselves one; though the two can disagree with each other. This indicates that Minerva takes the role of the Maid and Ananke the role of the Crone.
• Mimir- Formerly Jon Blake. Turned into a god against his will and imprisoned by Ananke and his father David. David pretends to be Wōden while he secretly forces his son to build things for Ananke and his own plans.
• The Morrígan - Formerly Marian. Out of her love for her former boyfriend, she requests Ananke turn him into Baphomet. She appears in three incarnations, which have so far been named as "Badb", "Gentle Annie" (possibly Anand), and simply "Morrígan" (The Morrígan)). Her personality depends on which incarnation she is in: Gentle Annie is more kind, while Badb is overly aggressive. Her powers include summoning crows as a weapon and, as Gentle Annie, she can heal. If a person tries to capture The Morrígan on camera, they will see a vision of a loved one dying. Gentle Annie sacrifices their life to bring back Nergal after Badb kills him.
• Nergal - Formerly Cameron. After his parents died, he became withdrawn from Marian and cheated on her, but she later forgave him and asked for him to be transformed. The character goes by name Baphomet (Baph), but in the 20th issue, he reveals to Persephone (and Urdr) that he is actually the incarnation of the god Nergal. He is very sarcastic and snide as an attempt to hide his immense insecurities, particularly his fear of death. He can summon the spirits of the dead. Killed by Badb but resurrected by Gentle Annie at the cost of Marian's triple lives.
• Persephone - Appears at the end of the 11th issue when Ananke seemingly transforms Laura Wilson into this previously unknown member of the Pantheon. Her powers include summoning vines that burst out the ground and is also able to show others past events. Formerly pregnant with either Baal Haamon or Nergal's child. Realizes she isn't a god and becomes human again; though can still somehow summon fire.
• Sakhmet - Formerly Ruth Clarkson. She admired Egyptian culture from a young age. Before Ananke found her, it was hinted she was homeless, an alcoholic, and that her father abused her. When sober, she becomes murderous and cannibalistic and can only be calmed down with alcohol. Her behaviour is very catlike and she is one of the Pantheon's best fighters. Killed by Minerva after Minerva's gaining the knowledge of Ananke.
• Tara - Formerly Aruna. From a young age, she suffered abuse and sexualization from all around her. She does not know which specific goddess "Tara" she is supposed to be an incarnation of (there are three options - a Buddhist Tara, a Hindu Tara, and a Polynesian Tara) and is plagued by abuse and derision from the public for refusing to perform miracles during her performances, instead performing music she wrote before her transformation. Constantly receiving rape threats and death threats, she begs Ananke to end her life and torment. She is very dismissive and withdrawn from the other Gods. Head is being kept alive in order to complete the ritual to banish the darkness.
• Urðr - Before her transformation, Urðr was Cassandra Igarashi, a trans woman,^[13] reporter, and a cynical skeptic of the Pantheon's supernatural origins. As Urðr, she is revealed to be the 12th member of the Pantheon, and appears along with her two sisters Verðandi and Skuld, formerly her camera crew. Together, the three form The Norns. Urðr is not affected by any of the other Gods' miracles apart from Persephone's.^[14]

The 1900s Occurrence:

This Occurrence ended on the 31st of December 1923. Unusually, the twelve Gods all lived close to the end of the Occurrence, forcing Ananke to take drastic measures to complete the ceremony to stop the Great Darkness. It is revealed that Ananke has found and imprisoned the creature that Woden merged with in the previous Recurrence in the lighthouse near Lucifer's island. This issue ends with the events of the first issue of the comic.

• Amaterasu - A Goddess based on silent-era film actresses like Louise Brooks, whose miracles involve impersonation and screen projection. She kills Baal using a projection of a steam train. Killed by Amon-Ra in suicide pact. She is later reincarnated in the next occurrence.
• Amun Ra - A God based on Langston Hughes and other Harlem Renaissance-era artists. In love with Amaterasu. Killed by Susanoo in suicide pact. Not reincarnated since this occurrence.
• Baal - A God based on T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, in alliance with Set to plunge the world into darkness and preserve the cultural dominance of literature. Killed by Amaterasu. Not reincarnated since this Recurrence.
• Dionysus - A God based on Pablo Picasso during his Cubist period, and as such is a living embodiment of the movement. Dies by a laser rigged by Wōden. He is later reincarnated in the next occurrence.
• Lucifer - A God based on F. Scott Fitzgerald, who lives on an island mansion attended only by a magical projection of a butler. Murdered by Set. He is later reincarnated in the next occurrence.
• Minerva - A Goddess based on Shirley Temple, she is more upbeat and immature, and often has to be shielded when her fellow Gods are murdered. Aware of Ananke's ritual and obtains the heads of Set and Susanoo to complete it. She kills Ananke and takes her place, obtaining the power of the Ritual. She lived till the 2010's Recurrence, which would have made her 87 years old at this time, and 30 years old at the time of her conversation with author Robert Graves.
• The Morrigan - A God based on James Joyce. He speaks of himself in the third person in a mixture of script and prose format. Murdered by Ananke to draw the surviving Pantheon towards the rebels. Second head used in the ritual. He is later reincarnated in the next occurrence.
• Neptune - A God based on Ernest Hemingway, and visually resembling Captain Nemo. Despite being a sea god, he is unable to swim. Dies by Baal drowning him. Not reincarnated since this occurrence.
• The Norns - Three Gods based on George Orwell, H.G. Wells, and Aldous Huxley. Verdandi is murdered for not wanting to join in the darkness plan. Skuld and Urdr are later killed by Set. They are later reincarnated in the next occurrence.
• Set - A Goddess based on Virginia Woolf and other members of the Bloomsbury Group. Mentions previous incarnations having taken place during the reign of Ramses II and during the life of Jesus, similar to Woolf's character Orlando. Killed by Minerva. Third head used in the ritual. Not reincarnated since this occurrence.
• Susanoo - A God based on silent-era film comedians like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, who is attracted to his "sister" Amaterasu. Decapitated by Minerva after the suicide pact for the fourth head of the ritual. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Wōden - A God based on Joseph Goebbels, who appears to have vast mechanical and technological powers, only to be revealed to be a sham God and a fraud, likely by draining Mimir, whose head he kept in a box. Both Mimir and Wōden are killed by Ananke. Circumstances repeated by David and Jon Blake in the next occurrence.
• Persephone - A Goddess based on Josephine Baker. Her head was removed in 1922, a year before the events on Lucifer's island. Head present as the first sacrifice for the ritual.

The 1800s Occurrence:

This Occurrence ended on the 19th of March 1831.

• Hades - A God based on John Keats. Ravaged by illness, he is killed by Ananke with his body then taken by Lucifer and The Morrígan to attempt a resurrection. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Hestia - A Goddess possibly based on Jane Austen. Consumed by a pride of suitors at a ball. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Inanna - A Goddess based on Mary Shelley's step-sister Claire Clairmont. In return for Godhood, she kills Wōden's children. The last survivor of this occurrence, her head was removed by Ananke at the conclusion of the Recurrence to complete the Ritual. Reincarnated next in the 2010s Recurrence.
• Lucifer - A God based on the poet Lord Byron, who does not want to accept his fate. Killed by a creature of his own making while attempting to resurrect Hades. Next reincarnated in the 1920s occurrence.
• Morpheus - A God possibly based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Died explaining a vision. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• The Morrígan - A God based on the poet Percy Shelley, who feels isolated from his cold wife, Woden. Killed by a creature of his own making while attempting to resurrect Hades. Next reincarnated in the 1920s Occurrence.
• Perun - A God possibly based on Alexander Pushkin. Dies in Petersburg. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Thoth - A God possibly based on Edgar Allan Poe. Killed by an ape stealing his heart. Not reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Wōden - A Goddess based on the author Mary Shelley, made bitter by the death of her three children. To save Inanna, she merges with the creature created by Lucifer and The Morrígan. Next reincarnated in the 1920s occurrence. Thus far, this is the only Recurrence of Woden that has not included a link to Mimir.
• Unknown God who went by 'The Angel of Soho', Urizen, Enitharmon, and Orc. These are all characters from William Blake's mythology.
• Unknown Goddesses described as 'The Three Lonely Sisters of the Parsonage', possibly the Brontë sisters.
• 1 Unknown God/Goddess deceased by the end of the Occurrence. Likely a Minerva who murders Ananke and takes her persona. Lived until the 1923 Cycle , which would have made her 92 at the time of her death.
• Persephone - Head removed by Ananke in Paris, France in 1830.

The 1700s Occurrence

• 11 unknown gods and goddess dead by the end of the cycle.
• Minerva - the Ananke of the 1830's cycle.
• Persephone - killed in 1738 by Ananke in North America. Attempted to attack Ananke while her head was being removed from her body.

The 1300s Occurrence

This Occurrence took place in France, a few decades after the plague known as The Black Death. Ended on the 2nd of March 1373.

• 10 unknown gods and goddesses dead by the end of the cycle.
• Lucifer -a nun whom maintained control after exceeding her 2 years. Kills Ananke whom admits creating the plague when she finally allows godhood to consume her.
• Minerva - a girl with skin deformities. Recruited people for Ananke to transform into gods. Watches Lucifer and Ananke burn, then leaves with a sack of heads.
• Persephone -head removed by Ananke in 1371.

The 455 Occurrence

This Occurrence occurs during the second Sack of Rome in 455 AD.

• Baal - A Carthaginian whom Geiseric mentions seeing perform and who was later killed. Next known reincarnation in the 1920s Occurrence.
• Dionysus/Bacchus - A lover of Lucifer who relates more to the Roman God Bacchus than Dionysus. Lucifer wishes he was with him at the end of his life. Next known reincarnation in the 1920s Occurrence.
• Inanna - Married Attila the Hun and killed him during sex, stopping his rise. Next known reincarnation in the 1830s Occurrence.
• Lucifer - A lower actor made God, he calls himself Julius Caesar when he rejects his Godhood. The last survivor of this occurrence, killed by unknown causes. The next known reincarnation is the 1830s Occurrence.
• Mithras - According to Ananke, died by feeding his flesh to a legion. Not known to have reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Minerva - According to Ananke, lost in an attempt at finding the Alexandrian Library. Would have actually survived due to the fact that each Minerva kills the previous Ananke and takes on Ananke's memories and persona. Next known reincarnation in the 1920s Occurrence.
• Morai - According to Ananke, their fate was predetermined. Not known to have reincarnated since this Occurrence.
• Persephone - Killed in Germania by Ananke in 454 AD, a year before Lucifer dies.
• 5 unknown Gods/Goddesses deceased by the end of the Occurrence.

List of All Recurrences

This is a list of all Recurrences and the time and place they occurred. Unless otherwise stated the Persephone ends each cycle with her head being removed. The only two Persephones to actually kill Ananke were the 2483 BC incarnation (where she used the vines to destroy Ananke's head) and the 820 AD incarnation (where Persephone cut Ananke in half and ran away).

6000 BC - The first successful Recurrence, at which the gods drive back the Great Darkness.

Pre-history - The second successful Recurrence. Ananke sacrifices her divinity in order to guide future Pantheons.

3862 BC - Recurrence took place in the Upper Nile Valley.

3770 BC - Recurrence took place in Mesopotamia.

3678 BC - Recurrence took place in the Indus Valley.

3586 BC - Recurrence took place along the Yellow River.

3495 BC - Recurrence took place in Ururk in Sumer. Persephone fought back against Ananke during this Recurrence, injuring her shoulder, but had part of her head removed in the attempt.

3403 BC - Recurrence took place in the Fortaleza Valley in Peru.

3311 BC - Recurrence took place in Westen Europe.

3219 BC - Second Recurrence to take place in the Indus Valley.

3128 BC - Recurrence took place in Egypt. This Minerva could only gather three heads and was swallowed by the Ritual until the next Recurrence.

3036 BC - Recurrence took place in Crete. No Ananke in the cycle. Persephone killed by Minerva.

2942 BC - Recurrence took place in Japan.

2849 BC - Recurrence took place in Northern China.

2757 BC - Second Recurrence to take place in Egypt.

2666 BC - Second Recurrence to take place in Northern China.

2574 BC - Third Recurrence to take place in Egypt. Persephone fought back, implaling Ananke with her vines.

2483 BC - Recurrence took place on Wrangel Island in the Artic Ocean. Persephone obliterated Ananke's head.

2391 BC - Recurrence took place in Harappa in the area known as Pakistan today.

2299 BC - Recurrence took place around the city of Akkad.

2207 BC - Recurrence took place in the British Isles.

2115 BC - Recurrence took place in Canaan.

2024 BC - Third Recurrence to take place in Northern China.

1932 BC - Recurrent takes place in Australasia.

1840 BC - Fourth Recurrence to take place in Egypt.

1748 BC - Recurrence took place in Babylon. Persephone's head is removed at the same time she kills Ananke with her vines.

1657 BC - Recurrence took place in North America.

1565 BC - Third Recurrence in Northern China.

1473 BC - Recurrence took place in Northern Indus Valley region.

1381 BC - Recurrence took place in Central America.

1289 BC - Fifth Recurrence to take place in Egypt, during the reign of Ramses the II. Persephone fought back against Ananke. Set is also known to have appeared during this Recurrence.

1197 BC - Recurrence took place around Hattusa during the Hittite Empire. This Persephone also fought back against Ananke.

1106 BC - Recurrence took place in Greece.

1014 BC - Recurrence took place in Central China. Persephone attempted to fight, but had part of her head removed.

922 BC - Recurrence took place in Assyria.

830 BC - Recurrence took place in Carthage.

739 BC - Fourth Recurrence to take place in Northern China.

647 BC - Recurrence took place in Persia. Persephone attempted to fight before removal of her head.

555 BC - Recurrence took place in India.

463 BC - Second recurrence to take place in Greece, in Athens.

372 BC - Recurrence takes place in Macedonia.

280 BC - Second recurrence to take place in India. Persephone appears to escape under ground.

188 BC - Recurrence takes places in Eastern China.

96 BC - Recurrence takes place in Etruria.

4 BC - Recurrence takes place in Judea. Lucifer and Set also participate.

88 AD - Recurrence takes place in Teotihuacan.

181 AD - Recurrence takes place in South East Asia.

271 AD - 2nd Recurrence to take place in Eastern China.

364 AD - Recurrence takes place in Eastern Europe.

453 - Projected date for the beginning of the 450s Recurrence, which takes place in Ancient Rome.

454 - Persephone is killed by Ananke in Germania.

2 August 455 - Lucifer, the last surviving god, takes over Rome.

16 August 455 - Lucifer dies.

546 AD - Recurrence takes place in Tikal.

637 AD - Recurrence takes place in Iraq.

729 AD - Recurrence takes place in Constantinople.

820 AD - Recurrence takes place in Francia. Persephone cuts Ananke in half before escaping.

912 AD - Sixth Recurrence to takes place in Egypt. Persephone killed by Minerva.

1003 AD - 2nd Recurrence to occur in Japan.

1095 AD - Recurrence takes place in Syria.

1187 AD - Recurrence takes place in Jerusalem.

1279 AD - Fifth recurrence to take place in Northern China.

1463 AD - Recurrence takes place in West Africa.

1554 AD - Recurrence takes place in Cusco.

1646 AD - 3rd Recurrence to occur in Japan.

1738 AD - 2nd Recurrence to occur in North America

It is shown that Persephone has appeared in each Recurrence since 3682 BC, where she was incarnated by Ananke. Ananke encourages her to sing, and as she does Ananke takes her head off. Since that time, 69 Recurrences have happened. The most Recurrences have happened in Egypt (with six recurrences happening over time, the latest in 912 AD).

Awards

The Wicked + the Divine was the winner of Best Comic at the 2014 British Comic Awards.^[16] The series has also been nominated for the 2015 Eisner Awards in three categories: Best New Series, Best Cover Artist, and Best Coloring.^[17]