Comic Review: The Low, Low Woods #2 (DC Comics)

Well, issue 2 of The Low Low Woods, from DC’s Black Label features a figure burning down to the muscles in its face. What a gripping beginning, a horror-heaped intro to this title by Joe Hill’s Hill House Comics imprint. The cover is by J. A. W. Cooper. and it’s awesome.

Written by Carmen Maria Machado, with art by Dani, and colour by Tamra Bonvillain, (Steve Wands on letters), this is one heck of a story. One the surface, it’s a coming of age story about two young women in the former mining town of Shudder-To-Think. Abandoned years ago, the mine is still present on all levels, both in the story and in the subtext, the subfloor, the subterranean horror story that warps the world within the narrative.

It’s about El and Octavia falling asleep at the movie theatre while they watch a movie, and losing their memory of even doing it. It’s about teens trying to forget their troubles in their old kit bags, lighting a lucifer and escaping. And about frightening creatures in the low, low woods.

The art is heartfelt, simplified and expressive. Why draw all the knobs on the stove, when you can move the story along with such grace and benediction? Great lines, tones, and expressions. The colour and lettering thoroughly imbed and interweave with the art, making a creepy combo of suspense and percolating unease. It’s a powerful read, and I recommend this one.

DC, The Low Low Woods #2, $3.99 for 24 pages of content Mature Readers