PRETTY HATE MACHINE #2 (Mad Cave Studios)
As Thomas continues to struggle with his father’s death, he is paling around with Luther a Demon, or is he? As the murderous Luther influences Thomas and his actions, it becomes noticeable to those around him. Will Thomas take out his rage on his mother and uncle like Luther wants, or will someone else be taken out?
Pretty Hate Machine #2 - Written By Tim Seeley & Ryan O’Nan – Art By Hank La Marca – Colors By Roman Stevens - Letters By Dave Sharpe - Edited By Ryan Carroll - Published By Mad Cave Studios
Credit: Mad Cave Studios
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
Luther has fully invaded Thomas’ life and it is showing. Thomas stays in his room alone and barely talks to his mother. Luther continues to tell Thomas that his mom and uncle killed his dad, and he needs to kill them in a horrific manner. To make things worse Gilly isn’t talking to him because her mother wants her to distance herself from him. Thomas’ friends try and cheer him up, but he calls them spies for his uncle. Unfortunately, with Luther around being a traitor can lead to some bloody consequences.
WRITING:
The slasher style horror really takes over in this second issue. Ryan O’Nan and Tim Seeley really up the horror and gore in this issue. The brutal fantasy scenes, coupled with some that may be real sets the slasher tone. But what takes center stage is figuring out whether Luther is real or not. O’Nan & Seeley take great care of showing that he may be real, well at the same time showing that he may be a figment of Thomas’ imagination. This uncertainty creates a great deal of intrigue and suspense. The longer this story plays out the more the lines will be blurred until the final reveal.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this issue effectively captures the story’s atmosphere and pulls the reader deeper into its unsettling world. Hank La Marca brings that eerie tone to life with visuals that complement the book’s emo aesthetic while also delivering its horror elements with striking intensity. The gruesome imagery is graphic and unflinching, making the danger feel immediate and visceral. The color scheme Roman Stevens uses captures the emo feel as well as the gory nature of the story.
Check Out My Review of PRETTY HATE MACHINE #1
Final Thoughts:
Pretty Hate Machine #2 brings the slasher genre to comics in a big way. The horror and gore will definitely capture the readers eye, but the intrigue of whether Luther is real or not is what will hook you. This is a must grab for any horror fan and well you’re at the shop, add it to your Pull List as well!
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
Let me know your thoughts on Pretty Hate Machine #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
