Spirit of the Shadows #2 is written by Nick Cagnetti and Daniel Ziegler and published by Oni Press. Artwork is by Nick Cagnetti and letters by Ferran Delgado. Main cover art (left) is by Nick Cagnetti.
Spirit of the Shadows #2 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
As the deceased musician Erik Leroux journeys through an eerie underworld realm alongside the enigmatic Elizabeth, the truth of his forgotten past begins to unfold—one page at a time. But in the land of the living, danger brews as a vengeful witch named Helena and her arcane pet rabbit, Haruspex, mark Erik for destruction. But what dark grudge binds her to a man who no longer walks among the living? And how does it all tie back to Erik’s long-lost love—the mysterious Katrina? Ghosts, grief, and grim revelations collide in this twisted tale of love, memory, and the shadows from the past!
Review
After an incredible first issue, some were left wondering how Spirit of the Shadows would maintain its creative flair and ambition throughout its run without growing stale. Thankfully, this second instalment proves that Nick Cagnetti and Daniel Ziegler can effortlessly keep the quality to a specific standard while throwing plenty of new ideas into the mix at the same time.
This issue picks up right where we left off with Helena Hextress being brought into the fold and quickly establishing herself as the primary antagonist for the series. Her intentions and personality are confidently showcased in just two to three pages, making her an intimidating threat for Erik as he attempts to navigate the bizarre underworld in which he finds himself. The weaving of storylines from Erik’s journey and Helena’s scheming adds a layer of bubbling tension that the first issue didn’t have, which will keep readers on their toes as the story evolves.
Cagnetti’s artwork remains the core focal point of this series, and now with more cogs than before being introduced to the narrative, he manages to keep everything running cohesively together, whilst having each element stand out on its own. The underworld still carries over the same multicoloured concoction of art styles that it did before, whilst moments revolving around Helena bring lighter shades and neon pinks into the mix, making it clearly visible whenever she comes into the fray.
Flashbacks from the memory book’s pages dip into the retro, Jack Kirby-esque artwork that was hinted at in the previous instalment. This faded, almost crayon-drawn style is distinct enough from the rest of the comic to show a change in setting and purpose. This mix of varying aesthetics allows the narrative and emotional weight of its themes to come to life purely from its visual language. The writing and dialogue are as good as you’d expect, but having its art carry the story along allows Spirit of the Shadows to thrive in the comic book format and push its storytelling and experimentation to new heights.
However, the comic comes to a head when a giant creature resembling Erik bursts from the ground and eats him, thrusting him back to the world of the living and out of his grave. These final pages shift the playing field once again, setting up new possibilities for the team both visually and in terms of Erik and Helena’s potential relationship.
Cagnetti and Ziegler don’t pull their punches with this second issue as they continue to move at a rapid pace through this kaleidoscopic narrative. The balance of intense style and genuine substance is unrivalled even against some of the top-tier releases that are currently out there, once again solidifying Spirit of the Shadows as one of the best comics of the year.
Verdict
Spirit of the Shadows continually pushes its unique visuals and storytelling to the extreme in a second issue that raises the stakes in an endlessly entertaining fashion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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