Wellington #2
Aaron Mahnke & Delilah Dawson (Story) • Delilah Dawson (Script) • Piotr Kowalski (Artist) • Brad Simpson (Colors) • Christa Miesner (Design & Letters) •Chase Marotz (Editor) •IDW Publishing (Publisher)
Reviewed by A.S. MacKenzie
Often enough the second issue of a series, even one with a good start like this one, will be a mish-mash of exposition, character definition, and preparing the reader for what is to come. Usually, this results in a comic that is best described as “necessary” or “useful” but rarely if ever “good”.
Wellington issue 02 is the exception to that trend.
In this second issue we find our intrepid narrator (remember from issue 01 that he is recounting this story to someone) determined to leave the estate because they felt that what was happening was a matter for the constabulary and not them. Plus, there were some new interpersonal dynamics that made things challenging. However, in preparation to leave for the next morning, that night the Duke has difficulty sleeping due to a troubled dream with a headless figure that offers more riddles than clues. He awakens to a noise that no one else seems to hear and finds in the barn a visitor from somewhere else, but not somewhere far. They warn of the danger coming and that they will be the ones to help.
In this issue, while there is a bit more of character definition and preparation for what is to come, it could better be described as “Issue 01 Part 2” due to it not really feeling like a second chapter, but more like a to-be-continued from the first. Not that this is a bad thing, but does allow for the “sophomore slump” often found in the second release to be mitigated.
We are in a great position for Issue 03 to really open up the world the Duke of Wellington now finds himself embroiled within and to see if the next issue is real 2nd chapter of this imaginative new series.
Delilah Dawson and Aaron Mahnke continue to bring their collective talents together in a way that I don’t think would work in any other medium. The artwork of Piotr Kowalski is necessary to give their script life. So far, this series looks like it will fit nicely in between anyone’s collections of Locke & Key and Harrow County. They aren’t the same stories to each other, but the vibe and motif are very similar and compliment the other well.
Wellington #2
As if a supernatural murder mystery wasn’t enough trouble, Arthur Wellesley must also deal with a talking crow, a magical crone, and an otherworldlymonster roaming the countryside. All in a day’s work for the Duke of Wellington.
The supernatural thriller from Aaron Mahnke, creator of Lore, the hit podcast, continues here!
You can buy Wellington #2 from IDW Publishing
A. S. MacKenzie
A. S. MacKenzie is an Atlanta based author who loves all things books, movies, games, and comics. He lives with his wife, spoiled dogs, and an unhealthy obsession with building things. He can be found building worlds in books, building plastic models, or building with wood. Check out his website at asmackenzie.com for ways to join his newsletter and read free stories. Also, he’s been known to frequent Twitter (@a_s_mackenzie) to say something vaguely interesting and Instagram (a.s.mackenzie) for food, travel, and random pics.
Hit Then Run
It was a store robbery gone wrong when the criminal got away but the victim was hit by a car.
Then it happened again.
And Again.
For newly hired detective, Phil Ford, this was beyond coincidence. Told not to investigate further, he couldn’t let it go. When he falls into a much larger conspiracy involving death-for-hire, organized crime, and corruption in the Sanford Sheriff’s Department; it will cost him more than he knows to get to the truth.
You can download Hit Then Run from www.asmackenzie.com
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