End of LIfe #2: More Bad News

As Eddie continues to look for a way to escape from his current circumstances in Pluto, he finds himself getting to know the people in town (against his will). Just when he thinks he’s finally found his way back into the Raven’s good graces, the consequences of his behavior force him to take a look in the mirror for the first time in a long while.

The main segment of this issue is Eddie going with his father to the local farmer’s market. The concept that Eddie is forced to grapple with is that despite his memories, his father is a beloved member of the community instead of the monster that Eddie sees him as. It further illustrates that despite his physical age, Eddie mentally is still very much a child rebelling against his elders. A big indication of this is when Sophie (Eddie’s childhood love), implores Eddie to at least get to know the version of his father that the town knows, but Eddie’s vehement denial not only shows that it is much too early for him to bridge that gap, but also allude to just why Eddie left in the first place. The emotional turning point of the issue comes when Eddie meets with the “Murder Bros” (the guys whose job got him burned in the first place) and winds up being betrayed by them. It’s not really a “sad” scene per se, but it is the first time where Eddie’s arrogant mask slips in a real way.

Kyle Starks brings a bit more pathos in addition to humor in this second issue. The townspeople’s brushing off of Eddie’s vulgar comments give off late night sitcom vibes, but not in a bad way. The peak of this happens when Eddie’s father reveals to his son what he told the people he does for a living. The pathos comes at the end during Eddie’s confrontation with his old friends. 

Steve Pugh and Chris O’Halloran continue to be a great duo on pencils and colors respectively. Pugh’s imaginative layouts combined with O’Halloran’s bright colors are a killer combo that matches Stark’s narrative beat for beat, switching from humorous visuals to sorrowful lines effortlessly. Eddie’s face when he talks to the gas station cashier after his confrontation with the Murder Bros. is a notable highlight.