In The Hunger and the Dusk, the world is getting hotter, a new threat looms over humans and orcs, and even a small group like the Last Men can barely keep it together. Things aren’t looking up in this series, but there’s some hope injected into it in The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two #3, out this week.
Picking up where we left off, the third issue reveals what Cal is up to since leaving the Last Men. He’s after Tara, who was sworn to be his ragtag group’s healer and has returned to her people. The truce between humans and orcs somewhat hinged on Tara working with the Last Men, and Cal is also a bit smitten with her and wants her back.
Cal’s story is used by writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Chris Wildgoose to flesh out the state of the world. When we first meet Cal in this issue, he’s doubtful a bird call is a bird at all, but likely some trap or threat. Soon, he comes upon two men quarreling over a body, and more death ensues. While the world gets hotter and the Vangol kills the orcs and humans alike, nobody can seem to work together.
Intercut with the Cal scenes is a check-in with the Last Men. At the start, they’re holed up in a cave hiding from the rain in a somewhat funny but harrowing full-page splash depicting the crew piled up on each other. They are not in a happy place. The Vangol, we soon learn, is on their trail, and they’re now without their leader or a healer.
I love this page!
Credit: IDW
The scenes with the Last Men reinforce the fact that the weather is changing. Much like our own world, there seems to be nothing we can do about wild swings in the weather or the fact that crops are dying off in the heat. These scenes also let Wildgoose let loose with action. Once again, Wildgoose crushes with detailed backgrounds and great thought put into clothing.
Something that does feel lacking is a sense of the larger story. Each issue gives us a small picture of where the characters are, but what is going on with the Vangol and their war? Are they simply killing off a few orcs and humans here and there, or are they gaining a larger advantage? The scope of the larger battle is unclear.
This issue establishes stakes and direction for both groups, even though we’re three issues into this second story arc. By the end, it’s clear where the Last Men are heading, and Cal is closer to Tara than ever. Paired with the exceptional art, it’s another winning issue in the best fantasy series on comic book shelves.
You must be logged in to post a comment.