REVIEW: 'Black's Myth' #2 by Eric Palicki and Wendell Cavalcanti

 The werewolf crime story continues! 

BLACK'S MYTH #2

Writer: Eric Palicki

Artist: Wendell Cavalcanti

Letterer: Rob Steen

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Release Date: August 11, 2021

Cover Price: $3.99

The mystery deepens after Strummer and Ben meet with the somewhat shady Rainsford Black. But who might want bullets that could kill the unkillable? The answer is unthinkable.

Score:

★★★★★ (5/5)

After introducing us to werewolf and private investigator Strummer in the first issue, Eric Palicki dives in on the case of the missing silver bullets. Rainsford Black is an eccentric millionaire (are there any other kind?) wanting to hire Strummer and her Djinn assistant Ben to find a missing gun and said bullets said to be made from pieces of silver paid to Judas himself. The fact Strummer had just recently been shot by a silver bullet makes this more than a coincidence. She was reluctant to take the case but after a night to sleep on it she's reconsidered. 

The first issue was a great introductory debut for this charming supernatural crime series. It's a breezy but engrossing drama anchored by the chemistry between Strummer and Ben. Set in LA, it brings to mind shows like 'Lucifer' and 'Goliath,' where there's some levity balanced with tense drama. It doesn't rely too heavily so far on the supernatural even though in this issue there are mythological figures brought to life but it feels organic. Strummer is a werewolf for goodness sake but we only saw her as such in the first issue. Palicki trusts his detective story to carry the narrative and propel the drama without using the mystical aspects as a crutch. It's a well-balanced approach that makes the series flow and becomes increasingly enthralling. 

Wendell Cavalcanti's black and white art tells the story in well composed and framed scenes. Without color, the use of shading and detail is strategically designed. Some panels have no backgrounds, some have scratchy filler but where there is detail it's carefully considered. All of that is irrelevant if the emotional beats aren't conveyed with precision and Cavalcanti nails them all. From the sheepish look on Strummer's surprising overnight guest to Black's assistant's look of shame, Cavalcanti reveals so much without a single word. 

Strummer makes a deal with Black in a surprising investigation that takes on mythical proportions. 'Black's Myth' #2 gets to the heart of the case with an even better issue than the first. It sets the tone and pace for what is becoming an entertaining and delightful new detective series. I can't recommend this series more.