Our first jaunt into “The Woods” proved puzzling enough to leave us wanting more. And while we don’t learn a whole lot more this chapter, it goes without saying that most of the fun here is the mystery. That, and watching a diverse bunch of people try to sort it out.
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Michael DialynasWhile the crew of students led by Adrian and Karen come face to face with the unseen terrors of the alien woods, tensions boil over back at the school as power-hungry players seize the opportunity to take control.
A typical high school day has its fair share of crises, even – or especially – when nothing is objectively wrong. So it’s interesting to watch the student body continue to react to the mind-boggling situation they’re in. Tynion captures all kinds of attitudes – from survivalist, to flippant, to carrying on with stage crew like nothing is amiss. And while educators are fond of saying that the human brain hasn’t fully developed until after adolescence – leaning toward the theory that even the most well-meaning of youngsters can’t understand the consequences of their actions – we see quite a realistic spectrum of maturity here. Sanami in particular is emerging as a force to reckon with, confronting the teachers with the hard facts and provoking a surprising response.
It seems the faculty members are intent on keeping the lid shut tight in this “pressure-cooker of a situation”. And while there is a satirical edge to this portrayal, it’s hard to imagine what else a group of teachers would do in the same scenario. That’s not to say that the teachers aren’t diverse too; they’ve clearly got vastly differing backstories, with one teacher’s military experience shaping his plan of action.
All the while, Dialynas continues to excel at getting across the characters’ mixed emotions. We’re dealing with a large cast here, but Dialynas always incorporates the emotional register into the quirky and highly differentiated faces that make up the cast. Sanami, obviously, is a joy to watch – she’s more closed-off than the others, but we can see the cogs turning in her head as she proceeds with her plan. Adrian is more confusing, betraying a variety of emotions that hint at a pretty complex personality. Already deep in the woods, he’s playing a leadership role as much as Sanami; but it’s obvious they’re going about it from radically different directions.
Of course, the most compelling moments of this series are going to be in the woods themselves – they’re where the mystery lurks. This is where Josan Gonzalez’s colours really impress, with the deep purples and blues emphasizing just how otherworldly this place is. And as we saw in the first issue, these woods don’t lack for interesting inhabitants, either. A (mostly) non-vicious creature who joins the search party is lovable at the same time as volatile, quickly establishing a recognizable set of mannerisms. And while I wouldn’t want to give too much away, a larger creature that turns up later is more than impressive, with insect characteristics that make it even more terrifying.
In the best possible way, “The Woods” is a messy story. There are so many factors in play that it could pretty much go anywhere; but we’re getting little hints as to which players are exerting the most influence, and that’s what keeps our attention focused. At the same time, the woods themselves present a level playing field. There’s all kinds of beauty and terror lurking in this forest, and its visual appeal engages the imagination. The feeling of chaos is this comic’s greatest strength; a world this unpredictable is worth getting lost in.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy
