Blood & Dust: The Life & Undeath Of Judd Glenny #2
Written by William R. Martin and Adam J. Orndorf
Art by Roy Allan Martinez
Colors by Raymund Lee
Letters by Kel Nuttall
Cover by Raymund Lee
Action Lab Comics: Danger Zone
Release Date: September 7, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

This week sees the release of just one comic from Action Lab Comics’ Danger Zone imprint. But that’s just fine since it’s Blood & Dust: The Life & Undeath Of Judd Glenny #2. While it’s a vampire tale, it stands out in that it isn’t your typical blood and guts bloodsucking story. Instead, we get a long-lived undead creature that is trying to settle into his place for all of eternity, all the while protecting his family and, inadvertently, a local township.

But Glenny and his group aren’t the only supernatural creatures on the block. As it turns out, there is a local entity that the locals have dubbed the Boggy Depot Monster. Not only is it known to drag children off into the swamp, it does so with alarming frequency. When The Glenny clan first discovered this problem, it was 1936 and they were newcomers to the area. Therefore, they were the prime suspects in the disappearance of several locals even though it had happened before. Apparently, it was thought that they might have reawakened whatever it was there.

Cut to the early seventies and we have a recurrence that has ensnared one of Glenny’s own grandchildren. Having spent the last few decades repeatedly saving the taken children from the swamp, he is angered to the point of entering to do battle for the last time. For him, this is personal and has gotten out of hand. But what exactly this creature is, remains to be seen.

So here we have this badass vampire that is going to settle a few debts but might have bitten off more than he can chew. Luckily, the family has a secret weapon. But can they control that weapon? Last time it might have been more than they were ready for.

Authors William R. Martin and Adam J. Orndorf have spun a twisting tale for us that encompasses several lifetimes. We are given tidbits to tease our mental palette, but find ourselves wanting more. I was more than a little surprised when I saw the artwork from Roy Allen Martinez in this issue. In the first issue, I was amazed at his use of shadows to convey a sense of gloom and despair that I’ve seldom seen equaled. But he outdoes himself in this issue, utilizing the same techniques but with details interwoven in the panels to vividly bring the swamp and its denizen to life on the page. Bravo, Mr. Martinez, you’ve thoroughly impressed this reader.

Buy this series. Whether you like vampire tales or not, it is spectacular. As a matter of fact, other than a few odd references in this issue, all we have is a story of people in dire circumstances trying to not succumb to the evil that threatens to overtake them all. So, I again recommend this to virtually any adult reader. It might not be the best choice for kids, so let’s leave it to the grown-ups for this one. Now go on, go get it.