BY THE HORNS #2 – An Honest Review

In BY THE HORNS #2, available from Scout Comics on May 26th, 2021, Elodie visits a wizard oppressing the nearby town and hoarding all magic, including two unicorns.

The Details

• Written By: Markisan Naso
• Art By: Jason Muhr
• Colors By: Andrei Tabacaru
• Letters By: Jason Muhr
• Cover Art By: Andrei Tabacaru, Jason Muhr
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: May 26, 2021

Was It Good?

Yes. this is simple(ish), straightforward, fantasy adventure storytelling… with a slight cyberpunk twist.

The first issue did a great job of setting up Elodie as the main character with Sajen, her “wolf puppy”, as her sidekick. However, we were a little down on the first issue because we got nothing behind her motivation to turn into an obsessed unicorn killer, so it was a little tough to get behind her as a “good guy.”

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Thankfully, that’s largely resolved in this second issue. Elodie makes more sense as a character with a clearer sense of motivation. And the issue’s resolution sets up an obvious path to redemption, even if Elodie doesn’t see it. That said, the facts behind Elodie’s vendetta come off as either a misunderstanding or a “not all unicorns” misdirect you can see coming from a mile away. It would be a pleasant surprise if Naso takes a path less traveled to explain Shintaro’s death later in the series.

What’s It About?

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

Elodie wakes from a nightmare about Shintaro’s death. Right off, we get a little clarity about Elodie’s motivations that were frustratingly absent from the first issue (Read our BY THE HORNS #1 review to get caught up).

Sajen provides a little snuggle comfort before the pair takes a small boat out to the wizard’s island. Sajen is not keen on being turned into a puddle, but Elodie just wants to talk to the wizard about where he got the unicorns. The town’s wizard problem is the town’s wizard problem. Not Elodie’s.

When Elodie and Sajen reach the wizard’s keep, they’re met at the door by a giant, floating, talking eyeball named Evelyn. The eyeball is friendly enough and slightly timid. It was brought to life by the wizard from a giant’s corpse, and it serves as an ever-watchful gatekeeper.

Mistaking Elodie as another villager bringing a magic sacrifice (Sajen), Evelyn brings them right to the wizard. When the wizard realizes Evelyn’s mistake, he powers up his cybernetic limbs with magic and immediately attacks Elodie and Sajen.

The two imprisoned unicorns see what’s happening and agree Elodie may be their only chance for escape. They call to Elodie to take their horns and use them as a weapon against the wizard.

Let’s pause for a second to admire the art in this issue. It’s gorgeous. The characters are stylishly rendered. The colors vibrantly pop. And the energy seamlessly flows from one panel to the next. This is a stunningly drawn comic.

Elodie reluctantly agrees to the help since her arsenal of weapons is no match for the wizard. When she snaps off the horns, they magically merge and shift into whatever weapon she imagines. With an exciting fight scene, Elodie delivers a killing blow to the wizard.

We conclude the issue with the realization that killing the wizard doesn’t mean they’re safe.

How Does It End?

Magic holds the keep together. Mercy for now. One down, three to go.

Final Thoughts

BY THE HORNS #2, available from Scout Comics on May 26th, 2021, gives readers fantastic art, a more complete picture of the main character, and tons of exciting adventure.

Score: 9/10