My Pre-Order Pick For February 08: UNDONE BY BLOOD, Volume Two #1

UNDONE BY BLOOD, or THE OTHER SIDE OF EDEN #1 (Aftershock Comics, final order cutoff of February 08, to be released on March 03) Writers: Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson. Art: Sami Kivela. Colors: Jason Wordie. Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

UNDONE BY BLOOD Volume One was a nail-biter of a tale, a seamless blend of crime fiction and wild west action. Two separate stories, unfolding simultaneously, and overlapping as the main character in the crime story is reading a paperback featuring the main character in the western tale. 

The same creative team returns for UNDONE BY BLOOD Volume Two, retaining the same story-telling method that made the first storyline get noticed and picked up for development as a television series. New readers can jump right in. It’s not necessary to read Volume 1 first (still available in trade paperback). Gunslinger Solomon Eaton is featured again, but in a brand new story unrelated to the events of Volume One. For the crime story, both setting and main character are brand new. 

    Issue #1 sets the stage for the adventure to come, as the protagonists in both stories get involved in schemes that involve their working alongside some suspicious characters. 

   Mexican Silvano Luna Del Rio works hard as a postman to earn a meager living in the Great Depression of 1934 in the dusty town of Buttar, Texas. His occupation doesn’t allow him to utilize his brains and planning ability, as his skin color prevents him from recognition and acceptance in the small community. He, like gunman Eaton, is not above taking less than

honorable action, to try and improve his lot. Del Rio is plotting to rob the business offices located within the largest skyscraper west of the Mississippi. He partners with a dishonest co-worker to pull it off. What they didn’t count on was the lights shining from the top floors as they prepare to enter the building. 

    A younger, more reckless Solomon Eaton (compared to Volume One’s retired gunslinger) crosses the Mexican border to collect a bounty and lands in jail. While confined, his ability to understand Spanish allows him to overhear a conversation wherein some unscrupulous bandits try to persuade crooked sheriff Alvaro Arango to join their railroad heist. Eaton uses his persuasive skills to get the bandits to ditch their recruiting plans and enlist his services instead. Later that night, Solomon is broken out of jail and narrowly escapes with the bandits.

RATING SYSTEM

 STORY: A necessary but well-done set-up issue. I expect more action/drama to come. Both stories are intriguing and some twists/surprises are hinted at.   2.5 POINTS out of a possible 3 Points.

ART:  Kivela is a master of linear and aerial perspective, and this issue is full of examples of that. Also a great use of angles. This has a very cinematic feel, based on Kivela’s skills. 2.5 POINTS out of a possible 3 Points.

COVER: Ominous and effective. The dual images create curiosity and give readers a clear idea of what awaits inside the pages. 2 POINTS out of a possible 2 Points.

READ AGAIN?  I already have. I’ll never post a review after just one reading, unless the book is extremely simple or very bad. I’m sure I’ll be returning to this and later issues as the story progresses. 1 POINT out of a possible 1 Point.

RECOMMEND? Yes. I’m a big fan of crime comics. Also, the western genre is under-utilized in current comics, and this is very well done.1 POINT out of a possible 1 Point.

TOTAL RATING: 9 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10 POINTS. A near perfect reading experience.