The first issue of News From the Fallout was a compelling read, due to its haunting imagery and its unique take on atomic age horror. It had all the makings of a great comic series, but the one question at the back of my mind was: could future issues live up to the standards it set? I’m happy to report that News From the Fallout #2 is just as good as its predecessor.
This time, Chris Condon and Jeffrey Alan Love take a different approach, showcasing what happened before and after Private Fallows entered the diner following his near escape from the nuclear monsters. But rather than listening to him, they regard him with suspicion and fear, especially when one of their own falls prey to the horrors that lurk outside.
It’s the opening sequence that sets the stage for what’s to come, as Condon writes a taut sequence between a couple. Half of that couple is “Mad Rob” Collins, and it’s evident from the jump that he’s an asshole. When his girlfriend asks him where their relationship is going, he outright insults her and even drives off. But when Fallows comes in, warning the diner’s patrons about the horrors outside, Collins is the only person who doesn’t believe him. Things take a turn later on, showing that Collins isn’t the boor that he’s originally presented as.
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In addition to the extremely tense storytelling, News From the Fallout #2 also thrives thanks to Love’s eerie artwork. Even though characters’ faces are barely visible, their body language speaks volumes. The way that Fallows is panting and shaking shows that the horrors of the nuclear fallout are still catching up to him, and the way Collins is carrying himself smacks of arrogance. But that doesn’t mean that Love doesn’t skimp on the horror. When News From the Fallout #2 switches to the nuclear-fueled monsters, you can see their faces – and the end result is horrifying, as their eyes have become pinpricks of light while their teeth resemble a Glasgow smile.
The end of the issue, like issue #1, features supplementary material that digs deeper into this world. More specifically, it reveals Collins’ past life and what happened to make him into such a prick. Thanks to carefully crafted lettering from Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, these back pages feel like actual ads, actual newspaper pages, and actual letters; it helps fully immerse readers into the world of News From the Fallout.
News from the Fallout #2 continues the forward momentum of the debut issue, immersing readers in a world soaked with nuclear age paranoia and horror while offering deeper insight into its characters. Condon and Love are crafting something special here, and I’m intrigued to see where it goes in future issues.
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