Comics
Review: ‘Spread’ #2
The veil of mystery is lifted in ‘Spread’ #2, even if just slightly.
WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan
ART BY: Kyle Strahm
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: August 6, 2014
Reviewed by Nick Brehmer
Hope’s recollection is concerning those members of humanity living in a quarantine zone. This is further expanded on within the first few pages by our newly introduced villain, Ravello. Leading the masses of diseased raiders, he is vain, he is dangerous, he’s a rock star, and he, like our hero No, appears to be immune to the Spread’s infection. He explains that it’s been 10 years since they’ve had contact with “the world” and that Hope’s presence seems to have ended the non-communication. Another mystery added.
The Spread infection itself is a cellular being, able to morph and absorb other units into terrible forms. So many teeth… It seems as if human agents can summon it as well, which adds another dimension of terror. We also learn that No really doesn’t like slavers. In issue #1, slavers are transporting a maniacal woman, Molly, who seems to be desperate for a lost child, one that she “sees” again in baby Hope.
The action in this issue is great. The confrontation between the elfin Ravello and one of his gnarled followers really twists the motivations of the raiders and the brawl between No and the spreadworm is killer. It’s not every day you see baby spit imbued axes turn a monstrous mouth hydra into a pile of purple goo. It’s the brilliance of Kyle Strahm’s artwork; lots of black, and heaps of color contrast, that makes these violent scenes really come alive.
While there have only been two issues as of yet, it seems that we can expect each issue to be marked by a welcome jolt of, well, hope, alongside emotion-induced crooked grins on our faces. If the last few frames of issue #2 don’t get you, you need to take a hair dryer to that frigid heart of yours.
Justin Jordan’s end matter “ramblings” are worth noting again here. In my review of issue #1, I listed the influences I thought I noticed. I was happy to do so. Jordan takes the time in his address that, “on a larger level, I don’t mind wearing my influences on my sleeve.”
“Spread” despite criticism it may be receiving is indeed “its own thing” and not something to be ignored.
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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