The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2 : Fandemonium
Ratings95
Average rating3.9
I'm sorry fucking what @ the ending
There's 13 of the Pantheon??? Also Ananke you BITCH what the heck?? time for Vol. 3
The second volume isn't quite as good as the first, largely because the beginning is rather slow, adding little to what we already saw in the previous volume. Even so, it's a good exploration of our viewpoint character's journey and how she struggles to come to terms with what's recently unfolded. In the second half, however, things move back up a notch, with surprising twists and turns to the plot, and a brilliantly rendered sequence at the divine equivalent of a drug-fuelled rave party. Together with another stunning cliffhanger ending, this is easily worth 4.5 stars... and, honestly, I'm only rounding down because of comparisons with volume 1.
2,5 sterretjes
Weerom echt prachtige tekeningen, maar de schrijfstijl is zo verwarrend. De merendeel van de tijd heb ik geen flauw idee van wat er gaande is. Maar die plotwending en cliffhanger!
So, this is the second volume and I'm still a little confused, especially with so many gods but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
Laura is very depressed in this one after Luci's death and just wants to find out who the murderer is. She gets help from Inanna who seems such a caring and loving god. Finally someone I actually thought I might like.
We also get to know more about Baal and Baphomet. Cassandra's character takes an unexpected turn but I thought it was badass. Ananke is as mysterious as ever and I didn't really trust her much and was wondering if she had ulterior motives.
And then the ending happened... 😱😱😱 I mean... are these writers trying to kill us with these cliffhangers... it was just toooooooo shocking and I still can't wrap my head around it.
The artwork is definitely more gorgeous in this one. There are a couple of panels with Inanna and Urdr that I thought looked wonderful. And the whole middle portion when Laura takes a kind of a drug and ends up at a weekend party is totally full of bright, neon colored graphics that just made my eyes pop... It was completely over the top coloring but I thought it was very cool.
Overall, I enjoyed this enough but I'm still unsure a little to give it a higher rating. But that ending means that I have to start the next volume right away...
Totally hooked...story is engrossing and full of twists and turns. Not to mention the incredibly diverse cast of characters. Queer, trans, POC characters in leading roles that don't center on their marginalized identity as a central plot point is a rare thing to find. Can't wait to read the next one!
...what just happened?!
Judging by the less-than-favorable reviews for the next volume though...think I'm gonna stop here.
Edit: Whatever I said, I have no clue. This is wonderful, and I love it.
A hint of a spoiler.
It's been over a year since I read the first volume. I probably should have refreshed. But I remember liking the first volume. And I continue to like. Yes, the writing can be a bit choppy. The build-up is lacking, the segueing between scenes is lacking. Sometimes, character motivations are lacking, and character conversations don't quite convey enough of meaning.
Despite all of this, I was so into this volume. It's got lovely art. It has an interesting premise. I love some of the characters (Baphomet absolutely, Innana totally), and I like how tragic things get quickly.
ARGH!!! LAURAAAAA!!! I was not prepared for that ending. And Persephone was so beautiful too. sniffle
3.5, probably, rounding down because I have no idea what's happening. But the art is amazing.
Oh, my heart. She is broken, and now I'm questioning why I started this madness when I knew for a fact that this is an ongoing story. THE ENDING! Oh, the ending. Since I've sworn to myself that I will only buy W+D books in trade paperbacks, I'm going to have to wait very impatiently until volume 3 comes out to find out what happens. I guess my poor heart is going to have to stay broken.
Now that I've whined at you, let the gushing commence! Volume 2: Fandemonium was absolutely stunning. Although I definitely missed Luci, there were so many new gods to meet and swoon over. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, having this series set against the backdrop of the pop elite is brilliant. Each god that comes into the picture has their own flair, their own attitude, and their own draw. The way that Jamie McKelvie illustrates them makes you understand why so many people are in love with them. I admit it, I'm in love with them too.
This volume has so many things happening, that it made my head spin! There definitely isn't a dull moment and, while I knew that ultimately Laura was headed for disaster with her investigation, the climax of this story still shocked the hell out of me. Inanna and Dionysus made their debuts, and things quickly spiraled into a place where I was just hanging on for dear life. The story telling here is brilliant. It wraps you up, and drags you along. Although not much dragging is required. Oh, you'll go willingly. Kieron Gillen ensures that.
Ah, you lovely and evil series you. I guess The Wicked + The Divine is a fitting title, yes? I'll be over here, rocking back and forth, eagerly waiting for the next volume to come out.