One of the things I loved the most about Redlands #1 was how fast paced and plotted it was. By the end I couldn’t suspect what was coming next, but it was because the whole issue was like the best first 10 minutes of a TV show before it hits the commercial. Issue #2 is out this week and, shockingly, it delivers in surprising ways.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
A mysterious and bloodthirsty matriarchal force runs the town of Redlands, Florida, and in order to stay on top, sacrifices must be made. But someone is intent on removing these powerful women from the top of the food chain. And he’s ready to unleash their darkest secret…
Why does this matter?
It’s another great horror comic from Image Comics, who have been publishing excellent series in the genre as of late. Plus, after talking to Jordie Bellaire and Vanesa R. Del Rey it’s quite clear we’re in very good hands.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Nice details in the backgrounds.
This is one of those comics where it’s of a quality that makes you wish it was in the TV or movie format already. Not because it’d be better in a visual format, but because it’s good enough to easily do well there. This issue opens with the three witches we left off with last issue and it appears they run the town they took over. Bellaire and Del Rey quickly draw the reader in with a new threat these witches need to take care of as they continue to control and manage a town in a civil and realistic sort of way. They aren’t floating around zapping people or doing anything all that evil, which is kind of the point of this series. The creators have taken witches and updated them in a realistic and modern way we’ve never seen before.
That doesn’t mean they’re good guys though, and Bellaire and Del Rey do well to remind us of that. I won’t spoil it, but virgins beware! There’s also some interesting build up to the threat they face via an interesting phone call with solid dialogue to capture the intensity of the character.
The art is consistently good and moody which suits a series like this. The use of red throughout is a nice touch to remind us an evil spell has been placed on this town figuratively. There’s nudity too but done in a mature way that’s unnerving and another example of why this would be great cinematic material.
Witches as cops. I dig it!
It can’t be perfect can it?
The last page left me wanting more. I wasn’t exactly sure what we’re seeing or why, which is a striking difference compared to the first issue that made me need the next one. It’s obviously a page to drum up interest and mystery, but given the little amount of context we’ll have to wait and see how this final scene changes things for our protagonists.
Is It Good?
This is a witch story like you’ve never seen or read before. That’s exciting. It’s also told well with great dialogue and plotting. Bring on the next issue!
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