CLODAGH #2, from Blue Fox Comics on Kickstarter, puts Fillin on the witch’s trail with the help of a talking dog (?) to get Aine back. Meanwhile, Clodagh finds the minister has a surprising past.
The Details
- Written By: Simon Birks
- Art By: Willi Roberts
- Colors By: Willi Roberts
- Letters By: Rob Jones
- Cover Art By: Willi Roberts
- Cover Price: $2.45 (basic digital pdf)
- Release Date: May 2022 (estimated)
Was It Good?
CLODAGH #2 follows up on the successful, crowdfunded, first issue with a collection of challenges for our main protagonists. Challenges that force them to trust and learn more about those around them.
When last we left the group, the witch killed one of the newlyweds and bewitched the villagers long enough to knock out Clodagh and kidnap Aine, Fillin’s daughter. Later, Fillin left the village in search of the witch. In the dark woods, Fillin was approached by an angry giant when a talking dog arrives to lend support.
“Talking dog?”, you say. Yep. The sudden arrival of a talking dog was one of those out-of-the-blue moments that threw us for the loop in the first issue, and to Birks’s credit, that point of confusion is addressed almost immediately… sort of.
All things considered, this was an engaging issue. Aine proves herself as spunky and resourceful as her father while in the witch’s dungeon. Fillin is surprisingly fearless under unusual circumstances. And Clodagh is the kind of person who rolls up her sleeves and pitches in for those in need. Birks has assembled a respectable collection of characters who each exhibit aspirational qualities of steadfastness and courage. You don’t need to show off superheroics to be an admirable person, and Birks demonstrates that axiom deftly with these characters.
In fairness, the plot doesn’t move forward by leaps and bounds. Fillin is still working his way through the woods, and Ine is still in the witch’s clutches. Only Clodagh takes a few steps forward by establishing a sisterly bond with the minister who has a surprising past of her own. Depending on your point of view, the lack of appreciable plot movement is the down point of this issue.
Regarding the art, there’s a noticeable uptick in quality from Jones on the lines and the colors. In particular, the darkened dungeon scenes look cleaner and more polished without a loss of the creepy gloom we saw in the first issue. In short, the art looks more finished and polished compared to the first issue.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you need a refresher on the witch’s first attack in the village, check out our CLODAGH #1 review.
We begin with the cliffhanger from issue #1. Fillin is confronted by a giant, and the talking dog (?) guides him through what to do to get the giant to go away. When Fillin later questions the dog about his presence and why he can talk, the dog simply suggests Fillin trust him for now. The two continue through the woods to find the witch and Aine.
Meanwhile, Aine kicks away food and engages in yelling fits while chained in the witch’s dungeon. She does everything she can to keep the witch unfocused. Eventually, Aine finds a way to make the witch’s plan to keep Aine in captivity very difficult.
Elsewhere, Clodagh wakes up after being knocked out and takes the time to dig a grave for Podraig. After a bath and time to reflect, the minister lays out clothes she used to wear in her youth, assuming they would fit Clodagh. The clothes are not what Clodagh expected for a minster.
We conclude the issue with a deadly warning sign, a monstrous assembly, and a daring escape.
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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CLODAGH #2 is an excellent issue for character-building and world-building to set the stage for the eventual confrontation between the witch and Aine’s rescuers. The dialog and pacing are all excellent, and the art quality is a step up from issue #1. That said, the plot progression is a little lacking but still worth the read if you don’t mind a slow burn.
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