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Horror that makes you look away. In Bloom #2 written by Michael W. Conrad, art by John J. Pearson, Lola Bonato & letters by Pat Brosseau from BOOM! Studios
In Bloom #1
Previously, In the Bloom #1 hit the ground running with a very captivating story. Despite the limited page count of a single issue, there was plenty of background and wolrd building to soak in. The Blooming occurred! Many people were transformed at random. While retaining their consciousness. The world adapted and evolved to accomodate this new reality.
Not the Perfect World
Unfortunately, the peace and harmony brought by the Blooming was short lived. Crime resumed around the world after the novelty had passed. Detective Cole Spears made his way to a crime scene. Another bloomed dead, that was the 13th murder victim that fallowed a similar pattern. Along with the crime wave rising, tensions were bulding up between Bloomed and non-bloomed citizens. The were certain elements to this world that screamed conspiracy all over. Even Detective Cole had a few remarks in passing about the powers that be.
*Spoileers for Issue 2*
Televised Shift
Issue #2 continued to build on the events that launched The Blooming. Most people got to watch the blooming live in color. Because during a nationwide news broadcast, one of the anchors went through the change. The camera kept rolling while the violent transformation took place. Also, the other anchor’s reaction to the experience was just traumatizing. Imagine being at home at watching this scene for the first time. Without no clue or context, what would people make of it?
A whole new world
Despite the amount of coverage the blooming might’ve had, not everyone found about it the same way. For example, Detective Cole was in the hospital at the time the blooming started. When woke from his sleep, he was shocked by what he saw. In fact he was horried. The nurse that attended to his recovery was a bloomed, the first one Cole had seen. Hence why Cole so reserved abou the whole thing. However, that’s not quite the entire truth. In addition to the back story, issue #2 brings the city to it’s knees. The police was sent in to disperse the crowds. Because a protest got out control.
How about the Art?
Here is where I will struggle to explain myself. I can’t show you nor can I spoilt this issue. So, I will try to use my best words to describe it. The art of this comic book had me looking away from it’s pages. Not only, the graphic nature of the story gave me pause. But the creative and choices taken for certain bloomed characters will haunt my nights in the foreseeable future.
Overall Grade: 9/10
Even though the main story did not progressed that much, the backstory of Detective Cole Spears was unbelievable. When Cole said he reffers not to talk about his family, it set the table to the grand reveal at the end. Didn’t matter that I knew it was coming, when it hit me, I was left without words.
