ARMY OF DARKNESS VS. REANIMATOR: NECRONOMICON RISING #2, from Dynamite Comics on August 17th, 2022, cranks up the crazy when Dr. West and Lil’ Evil Ash track down the Necronomicon. Meanwhile, Ash and Wyrdie find themselves on a Deadite train to Miskatonic.
The Details
- Written by: Erik Burnham
- Art by: Eman Cassallos
- Colors by: Jorge Sutil
- Letters by: Troy Peteri
- Cover art by: Tony Fleecs (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 17, 2022
Is It Good?
ARMY OF DARKNESS VS. REANIMATOR: NECRONOMICON RISING #2 cranks up the crazy from the first issue by doing what both franchises are best known for – killing lots of things. If you’re looking for deep pathos or a thought-provoking treatise on the fragility of life, you’re barking up the wrong flagpole, Compadre. Ash and Dr. West are known for getting themselves into all sorts of limb severing, blood spattering trouble, and there’s plenty of it in this issue. So, buckle up, Buttercup. It’s going to get gooey.
The bright spot of this issue is Burnham’s decision to lean much harder into the horror and gore over the first issue. Lil’ Evil Ash has a secret agenda for the Necronomicon, and he’s not above a few stabbings and disembowelings to manipulate Dr. West into helping him. Meanwhile, Ash and Wyrdie are on a train destined to collide with Dr. West and his new friend when Deadites arrive to stop the Chosen One in his tracks. Ugh. So many puns.
Sure, we can smirk at the corny puns and the gratuitous violence, but that’s the point. Burnham is having fun with the properties by working out a decently clever way to have them intersect in a way that makes sense. By leaning into the over-the-top gore, the respective players feel like they have more in common. The synergy between the franchises feels like a natural fit, yet there’s just enough uncertainty surrounding how Ash and Dr. West will respond to each other when they finally meet that you become curious to find out what happens next.
The art by Cassallos is very good in this issue. The actor renderings are close enough to be familiar without getting so close that the visuals turn into an Uncanny Valley situation. Sutil’s coloring is exceptionally refined, especially on lighting contours, and Peteri’s lettering is excellent.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Find out how Ash and Dr. West wound up on their collision course in our ARMY OF DARKNESS VS. REANIMATOR: NECRONOMICON RISING #1 review.
We begin with Dr. West led by Lil’ Evil Ash to an aging mansion containing the Necronomicon. The immoral duo sneaks in to take the book, but before Dr. West can lay hands on the treacherous tome, its current owner emerges from the shadows holding a gun. He threatens to shoot Dr. West if he makes any sudden moves before the summoned police arrive.
Unnoticed, Lil’ Evil Ash interrupts the owner’s plans with a fine point.
Meanwhile, Ash and Wyrdie ride a train to Massachusetts on their quest to retrieve the Necronomicon. Wyrdie explains that the Chosen One must stop the book from doing more harm and hold his tongue from taunting evil as the Chosen One’s curse draws Deadites with boasting. Ash isn’t the shy type, so Deadites quickly arrive to stop the Chosen One.
We conclude the issue with forced reading, portals, and a different kind of time travel.
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Final Thoughts
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ARMY OF DARKNESS VS. REANIMATOR: NECRONOMICON RISING #2 leans into the gorefest that made each issue so popular with its fans. The tone of the two plots fits naturally, and the plot builds plenty of curiosity to find out what happens when these two horror icons finally meet.
Related Information
Is Re-Animator rated R?
No, Re-Animator was released Unrated. The scenes of gore and violence would have earned the film an X rating, so the producers opted to release it unrated rather than censor the film to appease the Rating Board and earn an R rating.
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