Review- BEDLAM VOL. 2 TP

BEDLAM VOL. 2 (Image, 2013; Softcover)

Note: Book actually released in 2014

Collects Bedlam No. 7-11 (cover dates June, 2013- January, 2014)

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Ryan Browne

Colorist: Jean-Paul Csuka

Can the criminal mind every truly be rehabilitated? Can the damned ever be really be saved, even if they do much good later on? Fillmore Press, the mass murderer formerly known as Madder Red, is helping police Detective Ramira Acevedo unravel the mystery of a new serial killer in town. This one is using electronic devices to brainwash people. Everyone. He can strike at anyone and everyone at any time, and he does.

The First, the armored superhero in the city of Bedlam, is featured more prominently in this volume. I am glad that they went deeper into what he is about, and who he is (although I won't tell you that; it would be a dick move to spoil it for you). I suspect that he will factor very heavily into the next arc, if and whenever it happens. I sure hope that it does. Issue 12 hasn't even been solicited as of this writing.

This is really compelling, disturbing stuff. Browne's artwork has a scratchiness to it that lends an air of uneasiness to the already tense atmosphere. There is so much stuff being released each and every week that it is nearly impossible to keep up with everything going on. Like you, I can't keep up with everything no matter how hard I try. You might have missed Bedlam. If you like serial killer style Horror then you should give this a whirl.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.

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The OCD zone- Image makes good quality books, both in content and in materials used.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: Two pages of sketches.

Paper rating: 4.5 out of 5. Nice thick glossy coated stock.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Dull matte finish coating, somewhat resistant to scuffing. I handle my books gingerly and become incredibly annoyed when they get scuff marks from minor handling. It's not like I am the Samsonite gorilla or something, but this coating leaves a lot to be desired when compared with the waxlike lamination used by Marvel and DC on their trade paperbacks.  

Review- BEDLAM

BEDLAM (Image, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Bedlam No. 1-6 (cover dates October, 2012- April, 2013)

Writer: Nick Spenser

Artist: Riley Rossmo

Colorist: Jean-Paul Csuka

Wow, this is pretty disturbing. Fillmore Press was the mass murderer Madder Red, responsible for the death of over 2,000 people. Believed to be dead, he is taken in by a mysterious “doctor” and supposedly rehabilitated and given a new identity (Press is his new identity). Heavily medicated and haunted by his past, he finally finds some meaning in his life here in the city of Bedlam: helping police Detective Ramira Acevedo unravel the mystery of a new serial killer in town.

The ghosts of Fillmore's past ends up kicking up some dust, and his behavior begins to become questionable. He does stop the murders, though...for now. There are still some questions left unanswered, such as why there is The First, some form of armored superhero in the city of Bedlam. The character adds a fantastical element to what would otherwise be a more realistic story. I'm curious as to why they feel the need for that and hope that it will be addressed in future issues.

I hope that there are future issues, because things are teetering on the brink of catastrophe. I love seeing a house of cards fall apart. Image has been on a roll over the past year or two. Their creator owned titles have been taking chance after chance and succeeding on all counts.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.25 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Image makes nice trade paperbacks.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Thick coated stock paper with a sheen to it.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Glued binding is par for the course for softcovers.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 4 out of 5. That dull matte finish coating on the cover...sigh. It seems that almost every publisher is switching to it these days. It must be cheaper because it is certainly not better.

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