SIX OF US #2 (Dark horse comics)

After the murder of Tim, the beloved member of the cast of the hit show Six of Us, we get a little more of a backstory of how this potentially came to be. As we get more of a peak behind the curtain of the mega popular show, we begin to see that maybe the cast was not as close as they portrayed themselves to be. However, an even darker chapter of the story is revealed that may change more than we originally thought.

Six of Us #2 - Written By Tom King – Art By Gabriel Hernández Walta – Colors By Jordie Bellaire – Letters By Clayton Cowles – Edited By Daniel Chabon - Published By Dark Horse Comics

Credit: Dark Horse Comics

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

WRITING:

This issue dives us right into the deep end with some dark and inciteful backstory. Tom King peels back a few layers of what we thought was the surface from the first issue. The more King dives into the relationships of the stars of the show, the more we realize that maybe this cast isn’t as close as we were led to believe. Seeing how some of the characters viewed Hanna after she became successful is eye opening. But King also eludes that this may also be a two-way street and Hanna may not be so innocent. But the most important revelation involves a secret between Tim and Selina, and it isn’t their love affair. The dark secret will definitely play a part in the murder of Tim and why the others may not be safe.

The pace of the story picked up a bit in this issue as well. On the positive side that allowed us to get more backstory and to advance the murder mystery. On the downside, some of the reveals feel rapidly fired at the reader, which gives them less time to feel important. This is more likely by design, as they are only there to give the reader more details about the character of the cast. However, it is worth being noted as it does make certain parts slightly confusing. One of King’s best ideas in this story is having Tim as the narrator. He knows who is responsible for killing him, and that is why the way he reveals the full story is so important.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue really captures what is going on in the story. Gabriel Hernández Walta takes this murder mystery and bring it to life with his artwork. The settings feel real and show the different lives our cast of characters live. Speaking of the characters, Walta’s character designs give each member of the cast their own individuality. This becomes more important as we try and unravel what is occurring in the story. The little characterizations and expressions go a long way in telling a bigger piece of the story, well also planting seeds in the readers’ minds. Walta’s artwork does some of the heavy lifting in deepening the mystery of this series.

Jordie Bellaire’s color choices bring the linework to life. Keeping the pallet based in reality makes the characters and settings feel real. The darker tones that Bellaire uses when the mood gets darker really keeps the tone and vibe of the story. The colors never distract you from the linework or the story and that is a true credit to Bellaire. The lettering by Clayton Cowles is clear and easy to follow throughout the issue. It draws your eyes to important scenes, well never becoming distracting. Together the art team not just compliments the story but also highlights and elevates the story.

Check Out MY REVIEW OF SIX OF US #1

Final Thoughts:

Six of Us #2 deepens the mystery with unsettling revelations, sharp character work, and artwork that amplifies every tense moment. While the rapid pace makes a few reveals feel rushed, the issue leaves plenty of compelling questions and danger ahead. Pick up a copy at your local comic shop and add Six of Us to your pull list if you are looking for a compelling and dark murder mystery.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10

Let me know your thoughts on Six of Us #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!