THE PERIL OF THE BRUTAL DARK: AN EZRA CAIN MYSTERY #2 (DC COMICS)
Ezra Cain is a private investigator trying to make it in 1941.
The Museum of Natural History have put him on the case looking for a powerful artifact. An anvil of immense power is missing. In the wrong hands, the result can be catastrophic. Cain is also asked to find out what happened to Karl Meyer.
How is the missing anvil even remotely connected to Meyer’s disappearance? Cain sets out to find out. Hopefully it doesn’t cost him his life.
THE PERIL OF THE BRUTAL DARK: AN EZRA CAIN MYSTERY #2 by Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS) continues its’ pulp crime DC VERTIGO series
Let’s take a closer look at what goes down now!
THE PERIL OF THE BRUTAL DARK: AN EZRA CAIN MYSTERY #2 by Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Condon opens events with Cain talking with Meyer’s wife. The writing shows the nervousness in revealing information. Clues start forming to Cain as the picture is now coming into a bit of focus. His dialogue doesn’t stray too far from the confidence he’s showing this case. Readers sense his wheels in motion as he goes searching for more information. Once he arrives to meet with Professor Morris, the story takes more of a twisted turn into his looming conflict.
Readers watch as the pair divulge into the secrets of the anvil. Their conversation becomes heated at times as truths start seeping out. It holds little back in demonstrating the dangers in the wrong hands. Condon is loading up on many themes involving the object. It isn’t overwhelming in delivery. The info throws more fuel to the fire. Events swing into a nightmarish vision. This leaves no doubts of the horrors harboring. Readers watch as this sends Cain on a dangerous final act. The pages flow until a new dynamic comes into play. This sets up a great cliffhanger ending which is tailor made for this series. Another strong issue.
Phillips opens with a worrisome Mrs. Meyer pleading with Cain to take her case. Panels reflect her uneasiness while teasing the larger evil forthcoming. Events end on a calmer note as Cain accepts her case. This leads to a daylight rendezvous with Professor Morris. The beach walk between old friends lets down guards as they both get to the skeletons they want to unlock.
Morris’ recap of the supernatural points hit with the pink shade of coloring. It compliments his dialogue very well. Readers can sense the anxiety in Cain’s face. Readers watch as Morris becomes more animated in explaining the dark powers at work. This becomes even more scary when the flashback nightmare takes hold. A chilling two-page spread lets loose on the devilish actions. It storms back to present with some force as Cain moves to search. Readers see the slow build until the dramatic closing. The final page teases the painful reaction to Cain’s do-gooding before departing. Jacobs is delivering on this series!
FINAL GRADE: 8.8
Cain’s search for clues puts him in the direct sights of evil in this latest chapter. Condon plays out the drama with a superb script. Phillips takes readers through the gritty looks which only this case can provide. This series captures all the mystery you could want in a slow play drama. Don’t miss it!
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