Of the Earth is a comic everyone should be talking about, not least of which because it’s introducing a new cryptid that makes so much sense. That, and comics legend Charlie Adlard is drawing it, with one of the hottest writers in comics today, Chris Condon, writing. The first issue was a strong start, but I’d argue issue #2 is where fans will really understand how frightening this new horror series can be.
Of the Earth #2 picks up where we left off, as Tabby is trying to unpack why her grandmother is covered in oil and incapable of speaking. Found in the basement in the middle of nowhere, Texas, she’s on her own and has no time to unpack what is going on. At the same time, an oil company truck is outside with no one to be seen, and a tremor makes things seem extra dangerous, given that Tabby’s grandma has an oil rig on her property.
The opening scene with the grandmother is intense, as Adlard draws out her shock and fear effectively, while Tabby unpacks what could have made her so scared. It’s also an interesting metaphor for Alzheimer’s, with her grandmother no longer able to speak or care for herself. Good horror always connects to the real horrors of everyday life, after all.
Eventually, help arrives from the oil company, which introduces seasoned oilman Thomas Morton. A very positive worker, he helps put Tabby at ease as best he can, but can’t figure out why oil is leaking in the basement. As he investigates, new details emerge that fathom even him, and Condon plucks away at the hairs on your neck as you try to unpack what is going on.
Grandma is not okay.
Credit: Image
Things turn from unnerving to downright scary when something appears on the horizon. I’ll say no more to avoid spoilers, but know that Adlard and color artist Pip Martin do a good job of capturing the unnerving fear of the unknown in what Tabby sees. Add in Thomas’ 20 years of experience interacting with something clearly supernatural, and you have something scarier than most, given how little we know about this cryptid.
This issue feels extra packed with information. I haven’t even mentioned a jump scare moment that leads to the cliffhanger. There’s also the back-matter prose that further enlightens the reader about what this creature could be. It’s in this prose that a layered monster is further explained, with the historical lore adding weight to the monster.
Generally speaking, Adlard is an expert in sequential storytelling, pacing every page perfectly. Facial expressions are on point, helping you feel what they feel. Above all else, Adlard further defines his work apart from his historic Walking Dead run, making this type of horror sing, even if it’s not as violent or in your face, yet.
Of the Earth #2 takes the foundation laid by the debut issue and elevates nearly every aspect of it. Condon expertly balances emotional drama, mystery, and mounting dread as Tabby searches for answers that only seem to lead to more terrifying questions. The parallels between her grandmother’s condition and the larger horrors unfolding around them add a layer of humanity to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in something painfully relatable. Adlard’s artwork remains a masterclass in pacing and visual storytelling, allowing fear to build naturally through expressions, silence, and carefully controlled reveals. By the time the issue reaches its final pages, the series has transformed from an intriguing horror mystery into one of the most unsettling books on shelves. The monster may remain elusive, but the fear it leaves behind is impossible to ignore.
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