Writer: Mike Mignola, Chris Golden
Artist: Peter Bergting
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover: Dave Palumbo
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Spoilers
Compellingly creepy, this issue is too relevant for me for this time of year…the constant rain, basement floods, and monster masks in every other store: talk about a mirror of real life. The Drowning City #2 is a horror-filled fantasy sure to delight fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Hellboy of course.
I get drawn into the story from the strong beginning, which has a very gothic feel to it, and though the plot faltered here and there with some confusing dialogue, the pacing was mostly on point until the end. Perhaps it’s just me, but I felt that the story suddenly stuttered at the end, like it ran out of gas and slowed to a stop. It’s not really a cliffhanger, though there are plenty of ends to tie up, but it is more of a cop-out end, especially with the cliched dialogue. Some of the transitions between the continuing storyline and this specific arc could be improved, but that’s note huge. These are really my only gripes.
The more I get to know the characters of Joe and Church, the more intrigued I am to learn about both them. I wish there was a bit more of a voice given to each of them, as they seem a teensy two dimensional at this point, so I am hoping that they fill out more in later issues. The dialogue could be better, but it’s not horrible; just not impressive or all that natural, either.
My favorite part of this issue is the art. The anatomy is very well drawn, and the backgrounds are highly detailed and sketchy at the same time, which gives the vibe that something is off: perfectly apt for a comic of this genre. The colors are somewhat muted with these kind of…smoky (for lack of a better word) shadows. It’s like the shading was smudged with fingertips, as one would do with charcoal. It’s neat.
Look no further if you’re seeking a terrifying mystery. This issue will satisfy.
Overall: 8/10
Tee LaFrance Todd writes, edits, reads, explores, and creates whenever she can find the time. When she’s not engaged in some form of storytelling, you can find Tee traversing the world with her husband and her dog, making things, reading tarot cards, and generally striving to live a life beyond anything she can imagine.
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