BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2, from Titan Comics on 10/11/23, leads Abraham and Gretchen through an ancient labyrinth of horrors to find Lucien.
The Details
- Written by: Cullen Bunn
- Art by: Piotr Kowalski
- Colors by: Brad Simpson
- Letters by: AndWorld Design
- Cover art by: Alison Sampson (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 11, 2023
Is BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2 Good?
Cullen Bunn takes readers into the labyrinthian underworld of Yharnam in the latest chiller, BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2. Filled with creepy monsters and plenty of Hunter action, this issue gives fans of the video game plenty of mindless action to keep them happy. That said, mindless action is about all you’ll get from this issue.
When last we left the pair of Hunters and Lucien, they followed the aspiring Hunter’s trail through a portal to a series of catacombs. Lucien, desperate to become a powerful Hunter and avenge his deceased sister, followed the call of a malignant entity willing to give him the power he seeks… for a price. Now, Gretchen and Abraham battle one group of monsters after another while searching for Lucien, but the boy finds them, and he brings them company.
The pacing of this issue is odd because Bunn essentially sends Gretchen and Abraham against one monstrous threat after another in their search for Lucien. The issue has a very “video game” feel because the main characters are simply running a gauntlet to reach the next save point.
What’s great about BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2? Depending on your tastes, this issue feels the most like a Bloodborne video game with the reader passively playing through the Hunters. The setting is creepy, the monsters are terrifying, and the action is bloody.
What’s not so great about BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2? Mindless action is fine for a video game, but a comic isn’t a video game. Lucien’s temptation leads him down a dark path, but the promise of that story development from the first issue gets pushed aside for pointless action that contributes nothing to the plot.
How’s the art? Kowalski’s art style is significantly sharper and more refined than the previous series, so the settings and monster designs are creepily effective, thanks to Kowalski.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #1 review to find out how Lucien let his thirst for revenge get the better of him.
We begin with Gretchen and Abrhama discussing the history of the Old Labyrinth as they search for Lucien. Soon, they encounter haunting figures who ring bells, giant rats, and eventually Lucien.
Lucien, however, doesn’t want to be rescued. The eyeless figure who called to him in the first issue is willing to help Lucien become a powerful Hunter, but it will require sacrifice. We conclude the issue with chases, more monsters, and a bleak realization.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #2 leans heavily on video game-inspired action when Gretchen and Abraham search for Lucien in monster-filled tunnels. However, the story seeded in the first issue is almost entirely absent. If you want to see a Bloodborne video game in comic form, this is as close as you can get, but if you want a compelling story with action, wait until the next issue.
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