ELRIC THE NECROMANCER #2, by Titan Comics on 8/14/24, continues the While The Gods Laugh adaptation with Elric agreeing to help Queen Yishana investigate a powerful Tower of Chaos.
Credits:
- Writer: Julien Blondel
- Artist: Valentin Sécher
- Colorist: Valentin Sécher
- Letterer: Jessica Burton
- Cover Artist: Bruno (cover A)
- Publisher: Titan Comics
- Release Date: August 14, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of ELRIC THE NECROMANCER #2:
First Impressions:
Julien Blondel concludes Elric’s first challenge in a stunning adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s most famous creation. Elric the Necromancer #2 is a considerable improvement over the first issue because Blondel tightens the focus and distills the essence of the source material for a chapter that reads as well as it looks.
Plot Analysis:
In Elric the Necromancer #1, the White Wolf’s curiosity was aroused when Shaarilla of Myyrrhn proposed they seek a cursed book that grants wishes. But himself cursed, Elric was forced to move on without her, lest she fall prey to his darkness. Instead, Elric headed to Dhakos in the company of a cad named Moonglum, satiating his bloodlust along the way.
In Elric the Necromancer #2, Elric arrives in Dhakos and soon receives a summons from Queen Yishara. Elric knows his worth, so instead, he counters with an agreement to receive the Queen in his room. Yishara knows that she needs him, so she agrees to pay Elric a visit, offering everything he wants in exchange for his help.
Yes, this comic is rated ‘Mature’ for a reason. Yishara gives herself to Elric as an offering in exchange for his help, and our hero is not prudish in accepting the gift. Be warned. This issue has a love scene with nudity.
The next morning, Elric and Yishara ride out to their destination, a magical tower that moves and draws closer to Yishara’s kingdom. As they see and hear it, Elric recognizes the tower as the Singing Citadel, but he’s puzzled by its presence in our realm of reality because it is forbidden to appear unless it is summoned.
Elric and Yishara enter the tower, immediately following into a topsy-turvy array of staircases and hallways that defy gravity. Elric immediately deduces that that tower is meant to look like it arrived under the control of the demon king Arioch. When Arioch arrives in armor, bearing a massive sword, Elric instantly spots the illusion, knows the tower was summoned, and the figure before them is not Arioch.
The issue concludes with a clown unmasked, the rules of Chaos, a jealous suitor, and a bittersweet end.
Overall, Julien Blondel captures the significant ideas of the source material and remains faithful while presenting a summary that reads well, engages, and entertains. As a bonus, issue #2 is significantly better than issue #1.
Artwork and Presentation:
At the risk of exaggerating, Valentin Sécher’s artwork is exquisite. Sécher builds a world and characters with rich detail, atmosphere, and imagination that bring Moorcock’s words to life. If you’re a fan of the Elric books, you’ll be truly pleased with this issue.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Readers interested in the source material will be interested to know the comic loosely adapts Michael Moorcock’s book 2 in the Weird of the White Wolf saga, While the Gods Laugh.
Final Thoughts:
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ELRIC THE NECROMANCER #2 significantly improves over the first issue to conclude the first leg of Elric’s adventure with a cleaner, clearer plot and stunning art. The story is small, but the implications are massive in scale. Elric fans will be very happy with this issue.
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