“Dark Ages” #2 continues to impress and surprise. Our company of mercenaries is put to the test in trials of the body and the mind. The castle may give them some protection from the hordes of devils outside but sinister things are at work within the walls. The silent monks harbor a dark secret that could lay our heroes to waste before the devils at their doorstep.
WRITTEN BY: Dan Abnett
ART BY: I.N.J Culbard
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: September 10, 2014
Reviewed By: Torbin Chimners
As Lieutenant Lucifer handles the physical threat assaulting them, the squire boy Martlet is preoccupied with the only monk who speaks, Edwin. Although he mostly just repeats words other people say, only in a whisper, Edwin’s been hearing things,. These things seem to excite him greatly and he’s not the only one.
The castle isn’t as silent as one would think a castle belonging to an order of mute monks would be. There are whispers in the halls, far off voices muttering something inaudible. It’s all deliciously ominous, building an enthralling mystery that you’re almost begging for resolution by the end.
I. N. J. Culbard delivers some awesomely beautiful art, especially during the gory clashes between devils and men. Most of the combat pages give a great sense of the hordes they’re facing, with our heroes sorely outnumbered. There are some wickedly sick deaths in this issue, like a guy getting ripped in half by gargoyle demons. Culbard’s art fits the time period superbly; the armor and architecture look fantastic.
SPECULATION TIME:
I believe Dark Ages is actually Sci-fi not Fantasy and I’ve got proof. First, Martlet tells Lucifer that he saw a “Great Shadow [that] passed across the stars and hid their lights.”
If that doesn’t sound like a spaceship I don’t know what does. Now look at the cover, that design around the title is markedly futuristic. It’s got no place being there if this is a straight fantasy. Those two combined leave me to believe that the “devils” are actually aliens and I’ll bet whatever it is “whispering” in the walls will be some sort of alien device.
I’d like to note that it’s really neat that Dark Ages features a black knight. Most stories set during medieval times omit minorities, painting a picture that only white people existed then.
“Dark Ages” #2 is an excellent follow up to the almost perfect first issue. By virtue of being a second issue it’s not as “new” but it more than makes up for it by shining a spotlight on the fantastic supporting characters and building mystery to a boiling point by the final page.