AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS (VOL. 2) #2 – Review

In AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS (VOL. 2) #2, available from American Mythology on October 6th, 2021, a rift between worlds grows, a wayward son’s drug trip has murderous consequences, and a vampire bites off more than she can chew.

The Details

• Written By: Dan Parsons, Konstantine Paradias, Glenn Moane
• Art By: Dan Parsons, Cyrus Mesarcia, Ev Cantada
• Letters By: Natalie Jane
• Cover Art By: Neil Vokes
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: October 6, 2021

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Was It Good?

This anthology may be a bit odd for new readers since each of the shorts is a continuation of stories started in issue #1. Tha’s not a bad thing when it comes to the storytelling but you may feel a little lost, especially in the first story, so it will help to pick up issue #1 first. Go! Go do it now, and come back when you’re done.

Issue #2 is a generally good continuation of the stories. To be fair, Poke felt least like a complete chapter and is more prone to losing the reader if you didn’t read Part 1. That’s why we recommend picking up the first issue before diving into #2.

All the stories have something to offer for horror fans looking for something a little different, but be warned – this isn’t a traditional monster comic as the title and cover suggests. This anthology is reminiscent of weird horror with some esoteric concepts, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

I like the style of the horror in each short as the writers are keenly intent on either inserting ironic twists or building tension into each plot. Since this is a B&W comic, there’s a heavier reliance on the pencils/inks to carry the character designs and sell the mood in each scene. Thankfully, the artists create the emotion and dramatic tension successfully, and you don’t lose the mood without the color.

Overall, this is an intereeating horror anthology with scary ideas that are outside the norm when it comes to standard creature feature concepts. Again, you’ll have a more enjoyable time if you get issue #1 first.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

As with all our anthology review, we’ll describe each briefly and ranked them based on what worked or didn’t.

Poke

Jim is released from jail but his troubles are just starting as the hole in his hands that leads to an alternate dimension keeps getting bigger. He must find a way to stop the spread before the cult that started it all finds him to finish the ritual.

This is the oddest story of the bunch (in a good way) but the most incomplete in terms of feeling like a full chapter. Without the prep from chapter 1, a new reader will be completely lost. The art is, however, excellent.

The Long Game

A would-be journalist and addict pimps his way to some quick cash for his latest fix. When the next pusher in town gives him a hit of something special, Greg DuChamp finds his latest trip allows him to work out his family grudges in the worst way possible.

While horrifying in concept, this story has the least to do with any sort of monsters. It read more like a Tales From The Crypt-type story where the protagonist gets what he wants at a terrible cost. The artist makes excellent use of blurring effects to help readers feel disconnected from reality while DuCanp goes on his “trip”

Jade Vampire

A woman driving down the road is first complimented then trash-talked by a wealthy couple in the limo that pulls up next to her. What the rich couple don’t know is they just mouthed off to the wrong vampire.

There’s a certain fun in watching rude, nasty people getting their comeuppance when they decide to walk all over the “little people.” The concept isn’t new, however, this story takes the top spot for a truly surprising twist ending.

Final Thoughts

AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS (VOL. 2) #2 elevates run-of-the-mill horror anthologies by looking for strange, unusual takes on the classic monster motif. While one of the stories falls so far out of classic mosterdom that it doesn’t qualify as a monster story at all, it’s entertaining nonetheless, and this anthology is a treat for anyone looking for high-concept horror.

Score: 7.5/10

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