By Keigen Rea — Stillwater’s second issue falls into some common problems of issue twos, but ultimately proves itself as one of my favorite comics of the year. Picking up after last issue’s cliffhanger, this issue is dialogue and exposition heavy, as second issues tend to be. We meet The Judge, a town cop, and are reacquainted with the kids from last issue. 

What’s weakest about this issue is that much of what Stillwater is made up of still feels generic to a degree. The small town feels like a creepy version of Star’s Hollow, which is a fun combination, but still a little familiar. A lot of the setup feels a bit like Lost, which again, is cool with me, but feels reheated to some degree. 

The thing is, the execution makes all of that meaningless. I only really see the similarities on multiple reads, which the issue makes feel fun more than a chore. I’m not sure I’ve experienced a read this smooth from any writer other than Saga. This is a comic that feels whole, without feeling too long, I feel satisfied, but the cliffhanger will guarantee I come back. It’s single-issue 20-page comics at their best, with a team that’s able to execute as well or better than anyone else in the industry. 

I think a good example of how the issue works is everything in the Judge’s chambers. It’s five pages, 25 panels, two characters, 37 word balloons, one room, and six silent panels. The way all of these things are balanced is brilliant, from changing from widescreen panels to tall and skinny ones to using the Judge’s movement to create more interesting shots. It’s a sequence that works unbelievably well, and shows how masterful the whole team is. 

This isn’t the best second issue of the year, but it is competitive with a couple other for being my favorite, especially with that cliffhanger. 

Overall: An issue that does a lot of necessary set up, while still setting up the mysteries of the series, but is able to escape being dull by the creative teams endless creativity. Keep up with one of this year’s best new series! 9/10

REVIEW: Stillwater #2

Stillwater #2
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Ramón K. Perez 
Colorist: Mike Spicer 
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics / Skybound 
Price: $3.99
Daniel West has returned to Stillwater, but his homecoming is anything but happy! What secret is the town hiding from the outside world? And can Daniel save his mother from meeting her fate within The Park? Find out in Skybound’s newest horror sensation!
Release Date: October 21, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Stillwater #2

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Keigen Rea is being welcomed to Stillwater. You can I find him @prince_organa if we get service here.