Comics
[Comic Book Review] “Roche Limit” #2 Intrigues With Character Study
“Roche Limit” #2 opens up its world, giving us plenty of different perspectives from an awesome cast of characters. This is still Alex Ford’s rodeo but it’s very clear that he won’t be the only character we follow. Moreci takes a good helping of new characters plus cameos from issue #1 and gives them each their own moments. Most don’t even include Ford but they are all connected to the overarching plot of Roche Limit. It’s amazing just how much is packed into this issue. In lesser hands it could quickly become a garbled mess, but everything flows perfectly and it never feels over crowded with Moreci and Malhotra behind the wheel.
WRITTEN BY: Michael Moreci
ART BY: Vic Malhotra
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: October 29, 2014
Reviewed By: Torin Chambers
We open on the infinite beauty of the cosmos before getting down into the gritty Roche Limit colony. Accompanied by especially intriguing narration about the nature of Faith, how it can drive some to do extraordinary things we’re then introduced to people you can never trust. Roche Limit makes you think, constantly. The existential themes from issue #1 definitely continue here, making you question characters motives and the universe at large.
After laying that interesting thought on us we are introduced to Moscow, who then lays another philosophical bombshell on us. Moscow is an older Russian gentleman who’s styled himself after a Japanese samurai, he’s even got the sword. He’s deranged for sure but he’s also fucking awesome and a joy to read, spilling exceptional philosophy every time he speaks. I’m curious to see if he has any actual skills like a samurai or if he’s all talk, but I’ll wager he’ll spill quite a lot of blood before he’s through.
Follwing Gracie’s bodyguard to a bar to get information about a missing girl is an exceptional highlight of the issue. He goes in looking for answers and won’t leave until he gets them. He doesn’t run in gunning or anything silly, he plays it really smart and works the guy over. Moreci once again demonstrates his writing chops by making the bodyguard I once thought was kinda generic into another captivating, stand out and funny character.
In a lot of ways Roche Limit #2 is even better than #1, our cast of characters has been significantly broadened and details of the bigger story are coming into focus. It’s a testament to Moreci that each and every single one are enthralling in their own way. They all feel like genuine people too, who have real personalities and not stereotypes. Roche Limit is blowing up right now, make sure you don’t get left behind.
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Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter @TorinsChambers
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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