Connect with us
Underwinter #2 Review

Comic Books

Underwinter #2 Review

Underwinter #1 kicked off the series with beautiful art, an intriguing narrative, and a stunning last page. Does this second issue maintain that great momentum?

The issue starts strong with more of writer/artist Ray Fawkes’ ominous exposition displayed overtop of watercolor architecture, trees, and characters. This opening scene acknowledges the spoiler-heavy events from the end of the previous issue, and generates expectation that more development of those plot points is to come.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!
Underwinter #2 Review
Underwinter #2
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Ray Fawkes
Publisher: Image Comics


Unfortunately, we don’t get as much plot development as one might wish in this issue. Most of the issue is divided into character-specific sections, all but one of which center around a member of the musical quartet. We get some hints of past troubles and other emotional concerns from each character, but these don’t feel like enough. Each character only gets between two and four pages for their segment, and I was left wanting more.

With that said, there’s still a lot of great stuff happening here. Besides some odd compositional choices (i.e. splash pages depicting images that don’t feel significant enough to warrant their own full pages), the art remains stellar. Fawkes’ watercolor style is gorgeous. What splash pages do feel warranted by their content are beautifully rendered and impactful. There are a number of symbols that Fawkes weaves throughout the issue, both visually and narratively, and he puts them to great use. He also does a great job visually establishing characters’ personalities (especially Stephanie’s), and when it comes to effective placement and definition of foreground versus background, he’s one of the best artists currently in the business.

Underwinter #2 Review

While the characters’ individual segments don’t feel long enough, it is still nice to see Fawkes show us glimpses of who the various characters are when they are going about their everyday lives outside of horror situations. Eleanor’s segment in particular raises interesting questions that I hope will be further explored in future issues. Though I wish each character had received more page-time, all of the mini-scenes do a great job of establishing the various cast members’ personalities. Each character feels distinct; no member of the cast is easy to mistake for any of the others.

Ultimately, this is a great issue. What problems I have with certain compositional choices and not enough happening are largely made up for by what actually happens. Things move a bit more slowly than desired, but the pace picks up at the end, and hopefully future issues will continue that momentum. This issue isn’t quite as riveting at the one that came before it, but it’s still a very well- painted story that introduces various interesting themes and symbols effectively. This series considers to be worth your time.

Underwinter #2 Review
Underwinter #2 Review
Is it good?
While not quite as good as the first issue, Underwinter #2 continues to deliver stellar artwork and an intriguing narrative.
Some of, if not the, best art in any current ongoing comic
Interesting new themes and concepts are brought into the narrative
There are a few strange compositional choices
More time spent with each individual character would have been appreciated
9
Great

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024 'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024

‘My Adventures with Superman’ gets new comics series starting June 2024

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup