Issue 7

Issue 7 is the seventh issue of Bitter Root and was published March 18, 2020. The seventh issue is included in the second collected edition, Bitter Root: Rage & Redemption.

Synopsis

Sylvester continues to plot his revenge against the Sangerye family, and now he has help—the demon Ardo has arrived on Earth. The Sangeryes, and the world, are not prepared.

Plot Summary

A flashback to Oklahoma, 1919, shows the funeral of Doctor Sylvester's wife, Abigail; whilst the reasoning behind her death is not explored, it presents Doctor Sylvester with a crisis of faith. As he talks with the Minister, he tells him that he fears his belief in God is slipping. Doctor Sylvester questions why God would take his wife from him, but the Minister cites that this must be God's plan. Nonetheless, Doctor Sylvester tells the Minister how he and his family must leave Oklahoma after the funeral.

Two years later, Doctor Sylvester is seen again at the forefront of grief when he loses his two children in the Tulsa massacre. Here, he is found by the raven-like creature who turns out to be Miss Knightsdale. She tells Doctor Sylvester that she can save him.

The interaction between Miss Knightsdale and Doctor Sylvester is witnessed by Beatrice Sangerye and her fried Iris. The two bicker over the naming of the Jinoo, but both are unsure if Miss Knightsdale is Jinoo given her form. Nonetheless, the two capture Miss Knightsdale and Doctor Sylvester and bring them to the small Native American village in which they live. With the help of the roots, they are able to help Miss Knightsdale but are surprised when she transforms back into a young black women — even more surprised given black people never turn into Jinoo.

Meanwhile back in present day Harlem, questions arise over whether Berg was really cured with the help of Enoch. Enoch and Ford argue about the supposed cure Enoch administered to Berg, but Ma Etta arrives and tells the two to cut it out. Berg explains that he now feels the grief that Miss Knightsdale and Doctor Sylvester felt; even more so, it feels like their grief and sense of loss is his grief too.

In Georgia, Adro talks with the grieving families of the young boy who was lynched. She tells them to give them her pain and grief so that they can grow stronger and she may avenge him. Doctor Sylvester makes a shocking discovery that maybe Miss Knightsdale and Adro were twisted and tormented all along.

Characters

Sangerye Family

• Etta Sangerye
• Blink Sangerye
• Cullen Sangerye
• Ford Sangerye
• Berg Sangerye
• Enoch Sangerye
• Nora Sangerye
• Beatrice Sangerye

Recurring Characters

• Doctor Sylvester
• Miss Knightsdale (Flashback)
• Adro

Other Characters

• Iris
• Numerous unnamed characters

Gallery

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  Alternative issue cover