UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: BLOOD OF THE WOLF MAN #2: Bark and Bite

The standout of this issue is the art by Leomacs. Any issues with the art in the previous issue have been completely rectified in this one. Where the first issue was unexpressive and dull, the art in the second issue is nuanced and intentional. Characters that were once lifeless are now emotive and alive. Subtle shifts in facial alignment portray all the emotions of the characters without the dialogue. Leomacs draws violence with visceral detail. Any bloodshed caused by the titular Wolf Man is both unsettling and impressive. The colors by Pip Martin pop off of the page. The red that Martin chose to represent blood stands out on the page compared to the more muted browns and tans throughout the comic.

The story doesn’t lack either; Joshua Williamson continues to prove as a talented writer who understands what makes a story interesting. Issue two dives deeper into the lore of the Wolf Man. The first comic established this world; the second expands it. Readers are introduced to the myth of the Wolf Man curse, which adds much-needed context to the first issue. While the mechanics of the Wolf Man curse are not terribly plot relevant, understanding how it works only adds to the story and fleshes out the world the characters live in.

Adam himself makes for a very engaging protagonist. He veers from the traditional archetypes of teenage characters in horror stories. Rather than run from his problems, Adam attempts to conquer them head on; it’s his father who pushes him away from his fears. This dynamic makes both characters compelling and enjoyable to read. Every character in this story is memorable. While Adam and his father are the standouts, the side characters, such as the investigators, prove themselves as well-written additions who don’t just occupy a narrative space. Williamson’s writing is intentional, and that is noticeable in every aspect of the characters.