Andrew Newton reviews Dynamite’s Supernatural #2…
Issue #1 of Dynamite’s Supernatural comic started with a bang as Sam and Dean Winchester went up against a troublesome Demonspawn, an Imp with a sulpher and fire problem. It was an enjoyable and familiar re-entry into the world of the Winchesters, but issue #2 raises the stakes as the brothers head to Vegas to raise a bit of cash and for Dean to play a few hands of cards. As you can imagine, things don’t stay ordinary for long and the brothers get involved in the supernatural once more. The theme of luck is woven right through this issue, especially in the grim opening that sets the tone of the issue before the boys even arrive.
Greg Pak once again proves he has a good knowledge of the characters. His writing for Dean is absolutely spot-on. There’s still the cheeky, confident character of Dean, with his quick one-liners, when moments are more serious. Meanwhile, Sam is still empathic and determined whenever things start to get a bit strange. Greg hasn’t exaggerated their personalities either; he relies on what fans already know, which makes the conversations between the two feel natural rather than forced.
On the art front, Pasquale Qualano, Vincenzo Federici, Alessandro Ronaldi, and Eder Messias provide a great look. The brothers are more recognisable here than in the first issue, which goes a long way towards pulling readers deeper into the story. There’s a good sense of atmosphere, especially in the Vegas frames, where the artists balance neon glitz with the darker supernatural scenes. Clayton Crain’s cover is moody and dramatic and grabs attention even before you crack open the issue.
What is nice about issue #2 is how it feels like a proper Supernatural episode, just told through comic panels rather than on a TV screen. If you’re already a fan of the show, there’s plenty here to enjoy, but if you were unsure after the first issue, then this instalment might give you a better idea of where the series could go.
Supernatural #2 is an enjoyable issue that captures the spirit (pun intended) of the beloved TV series. There’s a nice mix of humour, tension and intrigue, and although my wife (a big fan) still isn’t satisfied with how the characters look, it’s a move in the right direction. It’s not perfect, but it is pleasantly promising, and I’m looking forward to issue #3.
Rating: Definitely worth 8/10 – enough to get Castiel’s protection.
Andrew Newton
