Solomon Eaton says it well himself: sometimes you have to walk in the direction of a gun that’s trained on you. Sometimes, there’s no way to go but forward. And for both Solomon Eaton and Silvano Luna Del Rio, there really is nowhere else to go in Undone By Blood Or The Other Side of Eden #2 but straight where the guns blaze and the prize awaits. Issue #2 continues the thrilling Western action and proves that a superb heist story is just as fun in comic books as it is on the big screen.
Following legendary gunslinger Sol’s journey, he manages to convince his captors to let him tag along on their quest to catch a train they have no business catching. An impossible task fueled only by greedy and cutthroat desperation, Sol and the gang attempt to pull off a heist hoping that prosperity finally lands in their hands. They’ll soon learn, however, that there are always surprises where they least expect it.
Sami Kivelä and Jason Wordie perfectly capture the 1800s Western aesthetic and the Great Depression era. From rain-soaked cargo to the cowboy costume design, every panel seamlessly carries the story forward with beautiful attention to detail and high stakes. Almost every page feels wholly representative of its inspired era, providing emotional depth and contemplative pacing. In a chilling scene, innocent passengers are at the mercy of a gun pointing directly at them. The fear and worry present on their furrowed brows are just one of the many stress-inducing moments found throughout Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson’s brilliant storytelling.
Aftershock Comics
Wordie’s colors and shades also add depth and beautifully distinguishes between Sol and Silvano’s environment. While Sol is surrounded by melodious rain, heavy smoke, and startling gunshots, Silvano encounters tawny maroons, metallic golds, and old-fashioned oranges. The visual dichotomy between Sol and Silvano’s worlds really allows a creative, smooth, and synchronistic transition. As one character experiences a new twist in their situation, the story jumps to the other without missing a beat or feeling interrupted.
Meanwhile, Silvano and his partner in crime make their way inside the tallest building in Buttar, Texas, ready to seize their prize. As they interpret their poor man’s version of a map, make their way down hallways, and climb staircases, Kivelä and Wordie continue to add engaging dimensions to their storytelling. High and low angles, side views, and facial close-ups all combine to create a story that flows seamlessly across the pages, giving your eyes visual candy to soak up and enjoy. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou also does a fantastic job using lettering to add distinct style between Sol and Silvano’s worlds — whether it’s the old parchment word balloons or the sound of a clock ticking, his intentional approach adds credence to the story.
Of course, as a neo-noir Western thriller, The Other Side of Eden #2 offers pulpy, brutal action. The creative team behind this issue presents a crazily entertaining Western American experience, complete with firing gunshots, bloodstained violence, and men flying down cliffs. Sol and Silvano’s gritty and stubborn endeavors reach new tensions when Sol learns of a mythical threat, while Silvano finds nothing but disappointment and a bite bigger than he can chew, as he narrowly escapes the cartoonish, ancient Rome-inspired organized group, The Fraternal Brotherhood. Both Sol and Silvano are outmatched and left in the dark, leaving us in curious excitement for what’s to come in the next issue.
Undone By Blood Or The Other Side of Eden #2 continues to juxtapose two pulpy eras of American culture and invigorates an enthusiasm for neo-noir Western thrillers. The entire creative team proves they’re connoisseurs of one of the most sublime heist stories imaginable. An exquisite issue with entertaining visual work and a superb heist story, issue #2 continues to live up to its well-loved reputation and ramps up the excitement.
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