Review by: Connor Russell
This is a comic that is acts as a prequel to a game of the same name. That game and this comic also take inspirations from Red Riding Hood and throwing them in with mythological Japan. It’s a mouthful I know but I got it out. This issue isn't really an improvement on the previous, offering more of the same really but just read my review.
Kani was given her first trial as a Red Hunter and at the end of the previous issue she ended up in a village that seemed friendly. In this, she is being trained by two people that show senselessly amount of violence towards the Yokai (demons) and Kani starts to question her ways. While this is happening the two trainers that originally encouraged her to join are looking for her, furthering the speculation as a reader that not all is as it appears. The answer is finally fully revealed at the end but you have to find that out for yourself.
Justin Aclin is the writer for this issue and I'm not completely sure of what I think. His pacing doesn't sit right and events and characters don't seem natural. I don't exactly know how to explain it but I'm not sure for how much Aclin can have put against him considering its based in a world from a game. So how much is he restricted because of this? The Red Riding Hood theme feels a little forced.
Vasilis Lolos returns on art, a style that can be both a swing and a hit or a miss. At times his art will come across as messy but at other times stylistic and it’s at these times it looks pretty sweet. Lolos' biggest struggle seems to be consistency. Sometimes he'll draw a face or a pose quite well whereas other times everything will feel a little off which deters me from the comic.
This issue hasn't really done anything in the way of adding from what was offered in the previous one. Don't get me wrong it isn't bad but it definitely doesn't kick much above the average bar. I am thinking of checking the game out however, with being able to explore the world myself I may get a better feel for everything. Still check it out if you haven't got much else to do.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Justin Aclin
Artist: Vasilis Lolos
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 6/26/13