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Doctor Jakob Eyes makes a house call! A young girls letters pleading for assistance with her Mothers condition continue to go unanswered. Doctor Jakob Eyes happens across a dead messenger with one of these letters and brings his work on The Principles of Necromancy to her town. Jakob Eyes soon learns that this is no ordinary little girl, she’s curious and interested in his work…and wishes to learn for herself.
- Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly
- Illustrated by Eamon Winkle
- Colors by Jay Fotos
- Letters by Bobby Curnow
The Principles of Necromancy Makes A House Call
Issue 2 of The Principles of Necromancy takes a slight turn from what we got in issue 1 (Review here from Matt!). Instead of battling barbarians, we get a little girl, just trying to help her mother. Doctor Eyes happens upon a letter from this little girl, Elloise, asking for help from doctors in the city. Jakob makes a special house call to help the little girls mother, but only because he needs the tumor of cancer that plagues her for his own experiment.
Eloise, as it turns out, is interested in Doctor Eyes’ work and follows him to his lab where the grotesque is on full display. Instead of being afraid or horrified, she’s interested and wants to learn more as an apprentice. Jakob reluctantly agrees and allows er to shadow him until one day he just up and disappears, leaving Eloise unsatisfied and still curious about his field of work.
There’s More To Doctor Jakob Eyes and Elloise
The most intriguing aspect of his book to me is the character depth explored in Doctor Jakob Eyes. There’s a scene where he explains the importance of cleaning and maintaining his tools and taking pride in his work. It’s fascinating to see a man with what seems like no real moral or ethical code show that he does live by some sort of rules.
Elloise is a curious case in character as well. This young girl who is so well written, polite, and caring of her Mother is completely fine with organs attached to blood stained walls. In fact, she wants to know more about the gross and questionable work that Doctor Jakob Eyes engages in. When Jakob sends her on an errand he disappears and she reacts in violent anger.
You Can’t Help But Look At The Principles of Necromancy
The art of The Principles of Necromancy is gritty and at times shocking. That’s not much of a surprise if you read issue 1. This issue involves more of a medical horror feel. Organs and body parts are displayed in a scientific manner, but hardly in a sanitary manner. There is a wonderful top down viewing of Jakobs laboratory as the Doctor and Eloise work their way from station to station. The colors from Jay Fotos are a high point for the book. I absolutely LOVE Doctor Jakob Eyes’ mask. It’s fascinating design for sure, but the colors take it to a whole different level.
Everything Points to 8/10
The Principles of Necromancy is perfect for anyone that enjoys body horror. Images can be jarring at times, but no matter how grotesque, I find myself unable to look away. I hope the introduction of Eloise is going to be a driving force going forward. There’s no telling where Jakob ends up next and what he’s creating has me wanting to continue following this story.
