In ARMY OF DARKNESS 1979 #2, available from Dynamite Comics on October 13th, 2021, Ash and the Half-Deads strike a deal to take down the Warlocks. Meanwhile, Bishop begins his quest for world domination.
The Details
- Written By: Rodney Barnes
- Art By: Tom Garcia
- Colors By: Dinei Ribero
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Francesco Mattina
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: October 13, 2021
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Was It Good?
Ya know, every incarnation of Ash Williams depicts him as the wisecracking hero with a chainsaw hand, ready to take down all kinds of evil without blinking an eye. However, don’t forget that Ash can be quite the ladies’ man when the opportunity presents itself, and we get a healthy reminder in this issue.
Barnes strikes a perfect balance between dark magic bloodshed and charm in this issue. Ash and the Half-Deads fight their way out of one sticky situation before getting dropped into another (ala Walter Hill’s The Warriors), and it fits the theme of Ash’s latest adventure perfectly. The threats are real and the violence is dangerous, but there’s a black comedy charm underneath it all that hints at not taking the situation too seriously.
Again, Ash’s antics don’t detract from his romantic charms, and the main squeeze of the now-deceased Half-Dead’s leader is impressed with his ability to be the leading man. It may seem silly to focus on this point, but it underscores how well Barnes reproduced the Ash character’s personality in this story so that fans feel like this story fits somewhere in Army of Darkness continuity.
Garcia’s art is richly textured, crisp, and projects an air of swagger that suits the material well. There’s a cool/hip vibe Garcia puts into the posture and mannerisms of the characters. Every player projects a tough-guy attitude that makes sense with a collective of rival street gangs who all have chips on their respective shoulders.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Get down and groovy with the story by first reading our ARMY OF DARKNESS 1979 #1 review.
When last well left our S-Mart hero, he was besieged by an army of tiny Deadite police officers. Putting on his best dancing moves, Ash swivels his hips and stomps his way clear by grinding every Deadite under foot. Leaderless, the Half-Deads ask Ash to be their leader and save the day from Bishop and the Warlocks. Knowing the only way home involves getting the Necronomicon away from Bishop, Ash agrees.
Meanwhile, Bishop and the Warlocks make their way through Central Park, contemplating how they’re going to take over the world. Along the way, they’re accosted by rival gangs and the NYPD. Bishop uses the book to make short work of anyone who opposes them.
Ash suspects the best place to start looking is Central Park since that’s where the toughest gangs head out. Re-enacting a classic scene from The Warriors, Ash and the Half-Deads ride the NYC Subway to their destination and talk over their plans for the future. We conclude the issue with another gang, The Panthers, confronting Ash and his new crew on the subway with plenty of hacking, slashing, chainsawing, and an unexpected dive off a subway platform.
Final Thoughts
ARMY OF DARKNESS 1979 #2 captures the sights, sounds, and the spirit of 1970’s NYC ala The Warriors (1979) as Ash and his new friends make their way through a gauntlet of gangs and Deadites. The writing succeeds in capturing the look and feel of ’70s NYC and the Ash Williams character equally well. And the art practically pumps tough-guy swagger into every panel.
Score: 9/10
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