Comics
Review: “Pretty Deadly” # 2
Kelly Sue Deconnick and Emma Rios’ “Pretty Deadly” continues this month with an action packed issue. Rios’ art hits full stride in a beautiful display of a battle that honestly had me gasping with each successive panel.
Deconnick’s story is somewhat of a mystery. Multiple characters occupy these pages and thier relationships to one another are yet to be clear. However there is an air of history that permeates the page. The west was a territory built on tall tales, and inside these pages we are treated to an even taller version of the majesty of the west.
I’m not sure that I completely understand it, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
WRITTEN BY: Kelly Sue Deconnick
ART BY: Emma Rios
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: November 27, 2013
This book is an absolute treat for the eyes. The opening pages envelop you in the luscious detail of Emma Rios pencils. Each blade of grass is fully realized with painful detail, and the wings of a butterfly are beautiful enough to move even the hardest reader.
The story itself seems to be steeped in history, legend, and mystery. It bothers me, but not enough to take me out of the book. Instead I find myself thoroughly intrigued as to who these characters are and their relationships. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted more, but for the time being the subtle hints are enough to keep me invested.
There is a certain charm to “Pretty Deadly” that is hard to pinpoint. It’s equal parts western and a surrealist dreamscape. It’s difficult to identify the nature of this world, but the detailed art sweeps the reader away into it.
Emma Rios has done an incredible job with bringing this inventive script to life. There is a showdown so intense in the middle of the issue that pacing ratchets up so quickly that you’ll find yourself lost in the motion of the art.Rios makes some pretty excellent executions come alive on the page. Her mastery of sword fighting may be completely unrivaled in comics today. Each successive death by the blade was surprisingly beautiful.
“Pretty Deadly” completely earns its title for better or worse. There are some grisly depictions of violence within these pages that will make you cringe, but they are depicted with such beauty that it’s impossible to look away.
The narrative itself seems too massive to articulate in these first two issues. I’m lost in a sea of characters, each of them more interesting than the last. Deconnick’s script is strong in its deep characterization, but something remains lost in translation once it reaches the reader. If this is by design than it is a bold choice that will hopefully pay off in the future, or perhaps I’m just stupid and missed the clarity that is present on the page.
There is no denying the magic of this book. It is something truly special and beautiful. I remain hopeful that the narrative will become clearer as we press forward, but even if it doesn’t Rios beautiful art will have me coming back.
Rating: 3/5 Skulls.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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