I will go ahead and warn you that there will be spoilers from Issue 6, and that I will be tying in previous plot points from Volume 1 (issues 1-5). So, if you haven’t read those please wait to check out this review.
If you recall in Issue #6 Adrian had been abducted by a cult. We had just gotten a glimpse of their everyday lives. The homes look clean, and they appear to be living on a farm. Adrian was dropped off in front of a large house on the property and told he was meeting with Wilson. This issue picks up right where Issue #6 left off. As soon as Adrian enters the house he sees a gruesome scene. The corpse of a woman embracing a man.
Wilson makes his grand appearance as Adrian is about to vomit. Wilson is very cordial in greeting Adrian, and begins to tell him a little about the corpses. They look familiar to me, and I feel like they are familiar to Adrian as well, but he just doesn’t want to accept that. Wilson explains that the male is Sutter. And, the female embracing him is the same woman we have seen since issue one. The beautiful woman with long flowing black hair. And, she finally gets a name, Temperence Roan.
Wilson tells Adrian that Temperence was Sutter’s guide. And, Adrian explains that Sutter was terrified of her. Wilson wants to show Adrian the rest of his collection. I’m cringing because I know where this is headed. Wilson wants to show off his house full of corpses.
Molly and Det. Graymercy are still meeting with Leo about the symbol. And, Leo is still giving them hell for bringing that awful piece of paper into his house. Leo explains that the symbol’s origins are actually from one of the worst cults in history. That the cult goes back so far through history that he was able to trace them back to Roman times. The symbol basically means devil, and is supposed to be a secret. So, why would the cult be ok with the symbol being strewn all over crime scenes?
While Graymercy and Molly are getting a history lesson in the occult Wilson is showing off his collection to Adrian. And, I totally called it, his collection is all corpses. He is explaining to Adrian that they are all past members that did extraordinary things. Wilson gives their names throughout their multiple lives. Adrian realizes Wilson is referring to past lives. Wilson wants to help Adrian with his “partial existence” since Sutter isn’t awake inside him. Adrian tells Wilson he makes it all sound too easy. And, that’s when Wilson drops a bombshell on Adrian.
I can’t tell you what the bombshell is. I also didn’t tell you the full history that Leo uncovered with the cult Adrian is tied to. Leo also explains how past lives work for some people near the end of the issue that are important to the tale as well. But, you know me, I try to keep my reviews spoiler free. So there are lots of things for the reader to look forward to that I didn’t discuss in my review.
Things I really liked about this story so far overall is that if you’re patient you get all the answers. And, even better, the answers don’t bore. Because usually the answers bring up more questions. That’s just good writing, and Cullen Bunn is killing it with this story. The characters are developed in a way that feels natural, and even character introductions never feel forced. I highly recommend picking up this series. The story only gets creepier and more intriguing with every issue of Regression.
Rating: 9/10
