Nomen Omen #2: The Havoc of Being Heartless

Nomen Omen #2 does not waste time holding the reader’s hand. A complex story with relatable human characters, it’s a tale that inherently knows its own identity, even as we might struggle to keep up. The story begins where the first issue left off, never giving us a moment to breathe, much like the main character Becky who struggles to find her footing after all that has happened to her. As stranger and stranger creatures comes to light, with battles that no one else can see taking place on the streets of the city, we are left wondering which twist or turn this harrowing tale will take next.

The art remains just as strong and purposeful as it did in issue one, with color used sparingly with effectiveness. The use of color is intense when implemented, blurring the lines between gruesome and beautiful. The linework is impeccable, giving a sense of strong dynamism to each panel. The attention to detail in some of the more fantastical and horrific scenes is somewhat reminiscent of the work of Junji Ito, though with less credence necessarily given to the sheerly grotesque. 

If this story continues on the path it is currently on, I speak without hesitation in saying it must be read from start to finish. It is an immediately arresting set of issues which devour the reader whole and occupy one’s thoughts for a good deal of time afterwards. The striking splash pages, the otherworldly art, and the complex story being woven by the Nomen Omen team is unmissable. It would be unthinkable for a fan of horror comics, particularly fantasy horror fans, to let this mini series pass by without giving it a chance.