Book – The Damned, Vol 2: Ill Gotten
Author – Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 136
Cover – Perfect
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – Comic, Crime, Demon, Paranormal, Noir


** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **


I was thrilled when this came up for review, because I absolutely loved Volume 1. This volume picked up from the end of the previous one, continuing the story without repeating all that had previously happened. The plotting, as with Volume 1, was brilliantly arranged, well explored, and combined with some beautifully noir-inspired illustrations.

This Volume introduced new, intriguing characters, while continuing with old characters, who made it feel familiar. The characters were well explored, following the story arc and developing with each new revelation. The story arc moved along nicely, both in the individual Volume, as well as continuing the overall story arc of both Volumes.

I loved the addition of showing that innocent humans could see demons as humans, not as their demon form. It was great to see the panels that showed them as first demons, from Eddie's POV, then as humans from the humans POV.

I can't wait to read more of this series. I'll definitely be buying the volumes in paperback.

I Liked Volume 1, But This May Be Better

This Volume 2 collects the five issue "Damned" story arc titled "Ill-Gotten". A preface brings you up to date on who Eddie is, so you can start here if you want and get a complete "Damned" story. I'd suggest starting at Volume 1 because it's so "Damned" good, but as I say, not necessary.

The great graphic work continues in this second volume, with the same team on the job. The pencils are crisp, the inking is just right, which was probably quite a challenge considering the number of dark and nighttime scenes. The colors are especially interesting and are used to give the whole project a demonic vibe but also to highlight certain characters, and even faces and postures, within individual panels. For example, the demon Big Al dominates every scene he's in, as he should, but it's the coloring that makes that happen. And you could probably write a dissertation on how bloody red highlights here and there tip you off to where to look in a panel. And that takes us back to the drawing and the very sharp composition of many of the scenes, even the ones crowded with characters.

Anyway, graphics aside, everything else here is top drawer. This is supposed to be gangster-demon-noir, but this time around the demons are a given, the macguffin is demonic enough, and the real emphasis is on the noir aspects of the story. Again we have a complicated Joe who's stuck in the middle of a complex set of double-crosses, grifts, and crooked angles only partly of his own making. He's trying to survive, in his fashion, and maybe come out ahead, or at least not come out behind. Who's going to get a happily everafter and who's going to get stomped on in the final reel? Remember, no one is really innocent. There isn't a lot of snappy patter, although there are a few sweet lines and some good deadpan throwaways. The vibe is more hard-boiled, with an edge of weary resignation. (And tossing in Hammett phrases like "Chinese angle" is a wry nod to the genre.)

And actually, don't be too quick to dismiss the demons. Maybe I've gotten used to Big Al and the gangsters, but this time around Bunn tosses in a new bunch, the Verlochin, and they up the demon ante considerably. All of the scenes at the Verlochin homebase are especially creepy in a satisfyingly noir and demon style.

So, the team is on its toes, the art is good, the story is twisty but makes sense, and everyone gets a few good lines. An excellent and entertaining ride. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)