DARLING #2, available from Source Point Press on July 28th, 2021, takes Francis down the rabbit hole as the Director invites him into a world of cinematic madness and Queens Ruby decides if you leave tea time with your head intact.
The Details
- Written By: Michael Fleizach, Todd Hunt
- Art By: Dave Mims
- Colors By: Dave Mims
- Letters By: Zack Turner
- Cover Art By: Dave Mims
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: July 28, 2021
Was It Good?
It was odd.
In our review of the first issue, we were impressed with how well the writers captured Francis’ downward spiral into drug-fueled self-destruction. Rather than focusing on the emotional drama/trauma that comes from an outsider’s perspective, we get more of Francis’ PoV. The consequences of his increasingly destructive actions are apathetic to the point of comedy. He’s become the world’s slackiest slacker, unconcerned with who he hurts or what amount of trouble he gets into. All thought and energy are focused on scoring the next fix.
Issue #1 treats the subject matter as slightly surreal but reflective of Francis’ distorted worldview.
Here, we jump straight off the cliff into a bizarre variation of Alice in Wonderland. The tonal shift is jarring, but jarring in the same way Dorothy opens the door of her Black & White home into the Technicolor dreamscape of Munchkinland in The Wizard of Oz. In effect, the series turns into a very different story. A story with whimsical potential.
This issue is a fascinating read, and it’s impossible to predict where it’s going, but it certainly has my attention.
The art feels tighter and more interesting than the last issue. Mims uses intentionally (I think) blotchy/sloppy lines to give each character form and expression while distorted through Franicis’ drug haze. Here, there’s more of the same but the backgrounds have more color pop and are sharper. It’s as if each scene blares a different mood behind the characters to highlight their expressions more than faces could do on their own.
In short, this is a case of the first issue making you think the story is going one way, and the second issue surprises you with a hard left into something completely different. Fortunately, this is one of those rare cases where the hard left is a good thing.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
When last we left Francis (read our DARLING #1 review to get reacquainted with the protagonist), he entered a house of ill repute to purchase his next drug fix. Issue #1 ended with Francis standing in front of a strangely decorated door.
Now, we met the Director and his young errand boy, Finch. The Director is keen on getting Francis to critique his amateur film work while Finch silently runs around like a small mouse taking direction to do everything the Director tells him. When the viewing is done and the critique is offered, the Director gives Francis his fix in exchange for honest feedback.
While Francis shoots up in the bathroom, the Director is paid a visit by Queens Ruby, the local crime boss with a heart-shaped mark on her face, (get it? The Queen of Hearts) who believes the (mad) Director has been flapping his gums about the missing girl briefly mentioned in the first issue. The Director was warned bout Ruby’s visit and has a whole tea party laid out, but before the tea is done, the Director’s rare display of courage takes the party down a dark rabbit hole.
Final Thoughts
DARLING #2 takes the readers from one trip on to a completely unexpected new one. It’s a jarring yet surprising plot change that makes this series more interesting than we were originally led to believe.
Score: 8.5/10
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