The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2 : Fandemonium

The second volume isn't quite as good as the first, largely because the beginning is rather slow, adding little to what we already saw in the previous volume. Even so, it's a good exploration of our viewpoint character's journey and how she struggles to come to terms with what's recently unfolded. In the second half, however, things move back up a notch, with surprising twists and turns to the plot, and a brilliantly rendered sequence at the divine equivalent of a drug-fuelled rave party. Together with another stunning cliffhanger ending, this is easily worth 4.5 stars... and, honestly, I'm only rounding down because of comparisons with volume 1.

So, this is the second volume and I'm still a little confused, especially with so many gods but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Laura is very depressed in this one after Luci's death and just wants to find out who the murderer is. She gets help from Inanna who seems such a caring and loving god. Finally someone I actually thought I might like.

We also get to know more about Baal and Baphomet. Cassandra's character takes an unexpected turn but I thought it was badass. Ananke is as mysterious as ever and I didn't really trust her much and was wondering if she had ulterior motives.

And then the ending happened... 😱😱😱 I mean... are these writers trying to kill us with these cliffhangers... it was just toooooooo shocking and I still can't wrap my head around it.

The artwork is definitely more gorgeous in this one. There are a couple of panels with Inanna and Urdr that I thought looked wonderful. And the whole middle portion when Laura takes a kind of a drug and ends up at a weekend party is totally full of bright, neon colored graphics that just made my eyes pop... It was completely over the top coloring but I thought it was very cool.

Overall, I enjoyed this enough but I'm still unsure a little to give it a higher rating. But that ending means that I have to start the next volume right away...

Edit: Whatever I said, I have no clue. This is wonderful, and I love it.



A hint of a spoiler.

It's been over a year since I read the first volume. I probably should have refreshed. But I remember liking the first volume. And I continue to like. Yes, the writing can be a bit choppy. The build-up is lacking, the segueing between scenes is lacking. Sometimes, character motivations are lacking, and character conversations don't quite convey enough of meaning.

Despite all of this, I was so into this volume. It's got lovely art. It has an interesting premise. I love some of the characters (Baphomet absolutely, Innana totally), and I like how tragic things get quickly.

ARGH!!! LAURAAAAA!!! I was not prepared for that ending. And Persephone was so beautiful too. sniffle