Sir Edward Grey: Witchfinder #2
The Mysteries of Unland
Created by Mike Mignola
Written by Kim Newman and Maura McHugh
Art by Tyler Crook
Letters by Clem Robins
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 16, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

Woo hoo! That was my gut reaction to seeing Sir Edward Grey: Witchfinder #2 was available for review. After having read the first installment of this five-issue miniseries last month, I had been waiting impatiently for this day to come. The only thing that makes this better is that I get the chance to let you know about it, too!

Picking up the morning following the events of issue #1, we watch as Sir Edward Grey conducts a thorough investigation of the area where he was assaulted. Skipping over details that allude to the supernatural, Grey explains the events to local authorities all the while quizzing them about the murder that originally brought him there in the first place. Learning that the victim had last been seen in the company of the local pharmaceutical mogul, he takes his leave to pursue that lead.

A tour of the local elixir bottling facility leads to a chance meeting with an individual who seems to have more than a little knowledge of the local goings on. The reader is given information, of a visual sort, that lends credibility to Grey’s belief that unnatural forces are at work in the area. Meanwhile, a brief interlude allows us a rare glimpse of the powers that are at play within this story, expanding the plot yet again. The remaining pages of this comic are spent building suspense and curiosity, with the exception of the last few which are more than slightly creepy.

I know I’ve said it before, but Kim Newman and Maura McHugh make an excellent team of writers who seem to have a natural gift when it comes to sucking a reader into the story. Dropping just a tidbit of information at a time, they almost tease us with the necessary parts of the story as we read. Tyler Crook brings his magical art to the series and presents the visuals almost as a gift, every page another piece of wrapping that leads us to the gift of an awesome comic.

In case it isn’t obvious, I am quite taken with this series. Set in Victorian England and exuding a truly gothic ambiance, it’s as if this book was created just for me. And while I fiend for the next episode in this wonderfully detailed story, I also live in dread of the day it concludes. Almost any mystery fan will feel the same as I do, I’m sure. Though, to be fair, this comic is sure to be well received by virtually anyone who enjoys Dark Horse Comics regularly. They really do paranormal and horror comics better than anyone else. At $3.50, I consider this comic a steal. Check it out when you can!