“Trees”#2 picks up the at the exact second issue #1 left off.  We are introduced to the rest of the Blindhail station crew and learn a lot more about Dr. Marsh as he further investigates the black flowers that have mysteriously appeared around the tree.  This issue scales up the world-wide narrative and once again situates “Trees” as one of the strangest, densest, and most intriguing titles on the shelves today. 

WRITTEN BY: Warren Ellis
ART BY: Jason Howard
PRICE: $2.99
PUBLISHER: Image
RELEASE:
June 25, 2014

Reviewed by Epic Switzer

This is not the kind of book you read through once and toss aside, it takes some active reading.  Ten years into the invasion, the world has become a very different place. As Ellis takes time to set up all the major players in this grand mystery new places, names, relationships, factions, political parties, scientific entities, and criminal organizations are introduced.  “Trees” practically requires a encyclopedic companion book in order to keep everything straight.  And while that may turn off casual readers, the time and energy that went into this book is apparent through and through.  The patient will find a lot to appreciate here.

The core mystery is the trees themselves.  There’s something very base and haunting about these cosmic horrors, and it’s clear that Ellis is evoking Lovecraftian narratives. We are constantly reminded that the trees do not care about humans, do not recognize people as an intelligent species, and will carry out their agenda (whatever that may be) unaffected, as if we don’t even exist.  To be ignored by a higher power is a truly scary concept for us as ego-driven beings.  This baseline anxiety persists in the world of “Trees” and informs the multitude of subsequent characters and mysteries that are introduced.  When the pieces of the puzzle all come together, this could be an astounding book.

Jason Howard’s work is in these first two issues has been incredibly appealing.  There is an extraordinary amount of detail in every panel, whether intimate character moments or sweeping landscapes.  His facial expressions bring these characters to life even when there are so many in play.  His figure drawing is kinetic and natural. His use of perspective is cinematic and really creates dynamic scenes, even when its just two people having a conversation.  I expect things to get violent and possibly even gruesome before all is said and done, and I have total confidence that Howard is the man for the job.

Don’t let me scare you away from the book. It is confusing, no doubt.  There is a lot to take in, but that just means there is a lot to appreciate.  This is a complex story that, I think, is going to slowly come together and really reward those willing to figure it all out.  If you are looking for something totally new, check out “Trees” #2, it’s an exotic cuisine.

Epic Switzer AKA Eric is an aspiring filmmaker and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles.  His work tends to focus on the lighter side of entropy, dystopic futures, and man’s innate struggle with his own mortality.  He can be found on twitter @epicswitzer or reached via email at ericswitzerfilm@gmail.com.