When Nameless came out last month, I was super charged mega hyped to see what the “new face of horror comics” would look like. Mixing in elements of intense sci-fi with the super natural…Man, I was ready to be amazed. And adding to that bringing in the reunion of writer Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham to work their magic…Well, just everything seemed to be working for this title to be a good one. Then I read it…
I found it to be lacking…
No, I found it to be a big bunch of crypto metaphysical mess mixed with heaping portions of confusion that made this a sort of horror Brunswick Stew that did not satisfy outside of just the bare minimum. The concept had some elements, but it almost felt like it worked too hard to shock the reader with mysticism and strangeness with one foot in dream and another in reality before it hits you in the head with the actual story. The story itself seems kind of interesting… The Earth is in peril as a large asteroid is on a trajectory to wipe things out. A team has been assembled to deal with the threat with one added supernatural soldier who goes by the name of Nameless that apparently holds the finer details to this threat as there are some mystical underpinnings to the threat. Issue #1 never hit the mark for me and I left horribly disappointed. Maybe even a little bit pissed off as well. I was wanting so much more.
Enter Issue #2. In reading it, I found it to be significantly better, but not exactly mind blowing. This one plays much better to a understandable plot as the team is sent to a hidden moon base that has apparently been there for a while but unbeknownst to us regular folks. The base is to be the jump off point to the mysterious asteroid. Morrison gives the reader much more detail regarding the asteroid and he even fills us in on some back story as to why it is there and in to what it is. I won’t go into the details of the story as I don’t wish to ruin it to anyone who might read it. But let’s just say that the answers are millions of years in the making and are far more than simple science. Add a little bit possessed murder and mayhem, apocalypse building, with some action sequences, and you will clearly see that Nameless #2 is much better than Nameless #1.
In fact, I think this issue should have probably been the opener. At least this issue, and the last few pages of #1 should have been probably maybe. This one gets down to the nuts and bolts of the story and even explains the cover of the first issue. I found #2 far less convoluted and chaotic than the opener. Hell, this one might just turn this thing around before all is said and done. But that is just wishful thinking for right now. I need to see more before I believe this one is back from the dead. Things are a little better however.
One thing that I can’t criticize is Chris Burnham’s art. It is stylish and a dark. A perfect mixture of creepy and cool. The early drawing of the noted “first murder on the moon” is pretty damned unnerving for sure.
Another strong aspect with this issue is that Burnham and Morrison seem to be on the same page for this one. The words blend in with the art in a way that can be followed for the most part, minus maybe one or two panels that have you scratching your head. It is much better than the previous bouncing around of sadistic horror images with choppy writing.
I don’t know if all woes from Nameless #1 have been eliminated. But at least it is safe to say that Nameless #2 is back on the track. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess. But, the elements are there to possibly have some strong outcomes. We still have a long way to go however. Let’s see what you got guys.
Score: 3/5
Nameless #2 Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Chris Burnham Colorist: Nathan Fairbairn Publisher: Image Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 3/4/15 Format: Mini-Series Print/Digital