After reading the second issue it’s starting to become clear the real monster in Glitterbomb is the person you become when living and working in Hollywood. But I digress–is it good?
Glitterbomb #2 (Image Comics)
So what’s it about? The Image summary reads:
Death, denial, and the darkness within. What’s got into Farrah?
Why does this book matter?
Jim Zub wrote his pants off with the last issue that perfectly introduced us to Farrah and her very new abilities. Bookended with a horrific moment for her and her agent, shit got very real and this issue can only deliver.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Something is angry inside this woman.
Zub is doing a fantastic job writing this series because he’s not overwriting. Instead, we’re getting to see Farrah deal with a situation I think we can all relate to where she’s confused, scared, and unsure of what is going on. Zub puts us right there with Farrah, because we have no idea what’s going on either. The fact that it involves a murder only heightens the WTF factor and this issue does well to show us the following six or so hours after an unexplainable death took place.
In the fallout, we meet a close friend of Farrah’s, learn something about Farrah herself, and see the monster rise up again. In a scene that any addict could attest to happening to them, Farrah lashes out at her friend who’s only concerned and worried for her. It’s a fight or flight reaction and I think Zub is hitting all the right buttons when it comes to someone in pain. The beast inside her is symbolic of the addictions, rage, and insecurities we all carry with us. In a poignant sequence later in the issue Farrah watches some TV and Zub shows us the disturbing and pointlessness of humanity via shows like Fear Factor and Toddlers and Tiaras.
Artist Djibril Morissette-Phan continues to tell a very meaningful story because he’s so damn good at getting to the core of the characters. So many panels feel genuine and real because the very soul of the person is laid bare. Nearly every character is reeling in pain for some reason or another and the varied pain seen across this book is impressive. As if staring into the abyss, Morissette-Phan draws an excellent full page spread of Farrah looking out from her deck onto Los Angeles. The image is beautiful, but also somewhat haunting.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Like the first issue, we’re still not getting enough information to make our own conclusions. There’s plenty to dissect character wise, but god almighty what this thing is and where the book can go from here is anyone’s guess.
Is It Good?
Right in time for Halloween, Glitterbomb #2 ramps up the horror and will give you food for thought and all kinds of tingles. Like a master director, Zub and artist Djibril Morissette-Phan know they have us where they want us leaving you unsure in a haunting sort of way. The last page of this book will fill you with existential dread and hopelessness and remind you the best horror is when you hold up a mirror to yourself.
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