The Plot #2: The Past Will Have Its Day

The Plot #2 takes a remarkable setup established in the first issue and dives into a haunting character-driven tale of one family’s past wrought with terrors. It’s a perfect example of how to follow a powerful issue #1 with a story that pulls readers in without sacrificing any of the thrills that makes the series stand out.

This is an interesting issue to discuss because it honestly does capture the vast majority of what made the first issue special, with all the scares and gorgeous artwork to match. But it also does something uniquely different to build on the narrative thus far. This issue is much more character-driven in the sense that we discover the horrors of this household is tied directly to the past of this family. The emphasis is immediately drawn to the actions of Chase Blaine and his work with the house, but it’s the new children who will certainly unravel the mystery.

There is a moment when Mackenzie is in class when the teacher makes a remark, saying “History is about context. It’s not just about learning that something happened, then another thing happened, and so on. It’s about understanding what those events mean.”

Pretty heavy, right?

This sentiment encapsulates the true horrors behind the The Plot and how its able to depict such a vivid story that inspires real fear. A tragic family past is just relatable enough to absorb our interest while remaining vague enough to toy with the unknown, creating moments where we as readers can explore the events occurring much more intimately. The Blaine family might be unsuspecting of their family’s haunting past, but it’s creeping ever closer behind them and in this tension, we find the success of The Plot.

I have so many questions after reading The Plot #2, but it also provides quite a few answers to keep me satiated until the next issue. The mystery at hand is unfolding at a satisfying pace, teasing plenty of scares without revealing its hand all at once, like any good horror should. Though it’s the characters themselves that will have you coming back for the next issue. The dynamics between the family and their strange community in Maine (little nod for the Stephen King fans!) have such depth and dark potential that it’s impossible not to get excited for what’s to come.

The artwork is once again simply stellar, capturing that unique vintage yet modern spooky ghost epic feel. The reliance on blacks and heavy shadows is always welcome in a horror such as this, but the abundance of green throughout much of the book creates an aesthetic that is just so enjoyable to look at. It’s not one big splash page after another, but it’s organized and executed in a way that keeps you excited to turn each page.

I’m personally really excited that The Plot #2 was able to keep up the momentum established in the first issue. This is certainly a series to keep your eye on, you’ll most likely be hearing a lot more about how good it really is. And not just from me!