The Run Down
Picking up right where the previous issue left off, Clara meets a brand new friend! However, despite everything that he tells her, can she trust him? Can she trust… anyone? Creator Stjepan Šejić begs readers to ask these questions in the latest fantastic issue of “Death Vigil”. Are you ready for this jaw dropping installment? Well, whether you are or not, I’m dragging you with me anyway.
Writer & Illustrator: Stjepan Šejić
Editor: Ryan Candy
The Writing
After the end of the last issue, you’d be forgiven for being afraid of how Šejić might handle this run going forward. This may be especially true if you’re still a bit new to the “Death Vigil” series. Well, rest assured, he handled things going forward with beauty and grace, showing an expert artisan-ship with the pen. The character drama reaches new heights here, something that’s completely in his bag. It’s here that he really begins forcing us to question who we trust. The cracks are starting to show and I don’t mean in the writing. Character motivations are being presented here in a way rarely seen in the comic book medium and it has me very, very intrigued.
Not only does he manage to keep readers engaged here through the character drama, but also the action and his sharp wit! Firstly, there were several moments throughout where I bust up laughing. The humor here particularly shines through on Clara, who clearly is the charismatic one of the crew. It’s through her character that Šejić manages to deliver amazing one liners and zingers. That humor paired with the intense action makes for a book that’s amazingly well paced. With all of this in perspective, I can say that this book was extremely hard for me to put down.
The Art
First off, when it comes to the actual line work and penciling, Šejić absolutely nailed it here! There were so many panels throughout where I had to sit back and just go “wow.” His artwork is among some of my favorites, so forgive me if I’m a bit biased, but he truly leveled up his game here. When it came to the environments, they felt very immersive with how stylized and detailed they were. What really kept me engaged though were the dynamic angles and intense looking action.
Second comes his insane color work. Every time he puts pen to paper, his world’s come truly alive thanks to his shading and color choices. His work actively makes these worlds and their characters feel real, and that doesn’t stop here. Speaking back on those dynamic angles I mentioned, the shading and lighting lend so much to those shots, making them leap off the page. Truly amazing stuff.
Final Thoughts
This second issue of the new “Death Vigil” run is an utterly fantastic follow up. This is without a doubt becoming some of the best stuff I’ve read all year. Stjepan Šejić is absolutely rocking the house in ways I’ve never seen before and I can’t wait to get more!
Overall Grade: 10/10
Read more from me here and check out my socials!
Comments
Are you reading the new “Death Vigil” run? If so, what are your thoughts so far? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
