“Smile: For The Camera #2” – Twists, Blood, Action!

Catching Up

In the previous issue of “Smile: For The Camera” we were introduced to our group as they were unaware of the ride ahead. Veterinary student Ivy enters the world of fashion, the new blood looking for a way to pay off college, meeting sleazebags and fellow models along the way. Though, as she comes to find out, she’s getting way more than she had bargained for as the bodies begin to pile up.

Writer: Hannah Rose May
Artist: Miriana Puglia
Colors: Dearbhla Kelly
Design & Letters: Brian Kolek

Smiling From Ear to Ear

Much like the first issue, the writing from Hannah Rose May continues to be phenomenal. In my last review, I had mentioned that her writing makes me not want to leave this twisted world; this second issue proves why. Here, we follow a different character from the friend group, Freja. It’s through her that we’re introduced to one of the Smile Demon’s powers, which is that it passes itself onto whoever witnessed the previous death. Through this, Rose May plays with not just the reader’s expectations but what we think we see. As someone who’s reviewed plenty of horror comics, this was one of the few that left me on edge for that reason alone.

Something else that I took note of in this issue as well was the pacing. Here, it felt very on point, in that as Freja was feeling more frantic, the pacing picked up. Now this could just be me having felt that, but it lent itself to the story beautifully. Not once did I feel the story was dragging. As Freja’s mind was racing, so was mine, making me feel in her place.

Art to Die For

As what seems to be a regular thing for this series, we’re treated to a MySpace-type social media splash on the first page, detailing the character readers we are following in the issue. However, something I forgot to mention in my previous review is that this is a way to help us get to know these characters. Miriana Puglia, Dearbhla Kelly and Brian Kolek have so far done a great job at making each one feel unique to the character.

Now being that this is a horror book, Puglia and Kelly excelled at the sudden shots of violence. Each time felt like a flash, PTSD calling back to a traumatic event you can’t move past. The violence here is intense and gruesome, and their work makes sure to leave it lasting days after reading. Not only that, but the excellent use of facial expressions makes you feel fear & sympathy simultaneously and in spades. Fear when you see a smile, sympathy when you don’t. Flipping everything on its head in stellar fashion.

Final Thoughts – 9/10

If I didn’t say it before, I’ll say it now, “Smile: For The Camera” more than proves that Hannah Rose May needs to be considered as one of the greats in horror comics. Issue #2 keeps up the energy left from the start and doesn’t hold back. She’s taking chances, and the art & colors of Puglia and Kelly follow through. This run so far is an absolute must read for any horror enthusiast.

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Comments

Have you been reading “Smile: For The Camera”? If so, what do you think so far? Let me know in the comments below!