PopCultHQ received a review copy of THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #2 from Image Comics. Available December 6th, 2017, the creative team for this series features writing and art from Wes Craig, art from Toby Cypress, colors by Niko Guardia, and lettering from Jared K. Fletcher.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #2
Writer: Wes Craig
Artists: Toby Cypress and Wes Craig
Colorist: Niko Guardia
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artist: Wes Craig
In Shops: December 6th, 2017
SRP: $3.99
Cole and the boys have to go ask the witch Morphea to help them find the mysterious cult behind the coming apocalypse. One problem: witches and gravediggers do NOT get along. And we’re introduced to Morgan: prophet of the apocalyptic Black Temple cult, and Cole’s estranged daughter!
<PopCultHQ Comic Book Review: THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #1 from Image Comics>
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
The Gravediggers Union #2
Writing:
Wes somewhat dials things down in issue #2. While there is no heavy action, there’s a lot of dialogue that develops the plot on both ends, for the Gravediggers Union and their enemies. This is is an issue devoted to expanding the scope of the story, bringing more players onto the board. Wes does not waste a single word throughout the book on extraneous material; it is all aimed at one goal and that’s building up the plot.
Art:
Wes and Toby’s art for this issue is a lot of things. For Wes’s art on the first four pages is bold and dramatic, like the opening scenes to a science-fiction or superhero film. A lot of power crammed in those pages, and all without any words. Toby’s art is the polar opposite. It’s not action-packed, full of hair-raising suspense and drama. But there is still power in his pictures, the kind of power that gives further life to Wes’s script and builds upon the foundation of issue #1.
Niko had some fun coloring Issue #2. The color choices for all the art were made with precision. But it is clear that his coloring of the art done by Toby was where the inner artist ran wild. Vibrant and trippy colors, all chosen to reflect the nature of the Gravediggers’ conversation with the witch as her smoke conjures images of things both past and future. It’s moments like those where Niko is given a new playground to work on.
Jared’s lettering was outstanding, just like in the first issue. But here, there were two very stand-out moments: the lettering for Morphea and the monologue boxes for Morgan’s first page. Morphea’s lettering is rendered in a way that makes it seem as though she has a strong accent, New Orleans or bayou country. Especially when she is making predictions of the things to come for Cole, Ortiz and Haley. When readers first see Morgan, there are some monologue boxes, done in a neat type-face, like that of an old type-writer. For this, it’s like a page from a novel, where a principal character been just been introduced for the first time, and there’s problems already affecting them.
PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:
When the going gets tough, the Gravediggers seek help from a witch. Knowledge of their enemy is gained. And readers will see for the first time, just what sort of evil the team will have to face as the story continues. And while this issue is not a high-flying dangerfest, it still is important for its value to the plot. It’s another fine piece of work from Wes, Toby, Niko and Jared and therefore worth picking up today.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 Out of 5 Stars
THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #2 can be purchased now on ComiXology
and available at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, December 6th!
Be sure to follow the creative team!
Writer/Artist – Wes Craig
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Artist – Toby Cypress
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Colorist – Niko Guardia
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Letterer – Jared K. Fletcher
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Publisher – Image Comics
