The Wingman’s body count is increasing daily, but can Diaz and Dario keep their own lives together long enough to catch him?  Your Major Spoilers review of Blood Tree #2, awaits!

BLOOD TREE #2

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Maxim Simic
Colorist: John Kalisz
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Editor: Brian Cunningham
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 8th, 2023

Previously in Blood Tree: A serial killer has descended on the streets of NYC, killing people and posing them as angels, complete with wings.  Detectives Dario and Diaz have been assigned to the case.

SINS OF THE FATHER

Blood Tree #2 opens up with the detectives at the medical examiner’s office, who informs them that each feather is placed deliberately with care.  Elsewhere in a park, a man has recently murdered a woman and is about to do more when he’s suddenly killed.  Later that night Dario and Diaz arrive at a crime scene where a family has been killed and strung up in some trees like angels.  The next day at church Dario recognizes some of the angels painted on the ceiling as similar poses to the ones he saw the previous night.  He informs the priest in the middle of his sermon, much to the embarrassment of his wife.  Later on at a family BBQ, Dario informs his parents that his child has started doing disturbing things, which they brush off as nothing.  The next day the detectives begin chasing down leads they’ve received from the priest.

TRUE-ISH DETECTIVE

Blood Tree #2 is a confounding issue.  On one hand, it is a well-structured story that has some clever narrative tricks, like how the issue opens on the feathers and then ends on the feathers.  It’s things like this that make it a technically good issue.  On the other hand, it’s also kind of boring and bland.  It’s not like the story isn’t going for it, between the religious aspect of the murders, to the similarities between the murderer and one of the detectives’ own child, to the broader commentary on innocence, but it’s all handled so bluntly and predictably. For a comic that is about an indiscriminate murderer with a penchant for drama, it’s not very shocking, nor do any of the characters act like anything is shocking.  They’ll talk about it being horrible, but lack any reaction in the moment and while this may seem like solely an art issue, but the dialog also lacks any sort of emotion.  I will say though, that with the exception of one sort of coincidental moment towards the end, the actual detective work shown here feels plausible which helps keep aspects of this grounded and gritty.

ONE EXPRESSION IS FINE APPARENTLY

Typically, people have a wide range of expressions, which are tied to emotions and responses.  That doesn’t seem to be the case in the version of NYC depicted in Blood Tree #2.  Looking at a whole family (children included) hanging from a tree? Crooked grimace.  Having uncovered a massive clue that could lead to the end of a murder spree? Crooked grimace.  Talking to your wife, parents, partner, priest, or coroner? Crooked grimace.  I’m being a bit hyperbolic here, but there is a distinct lack of expression here, which gives off the impression that everyone is mumbling under their breath at each other.  It’s not all bad though, there is some great coloring, especially in the backgrounds which adds a visceral feel to things.  Scenes with a lot of artificial light feel oppressive, scenes set at night feel mysterious and dangerous, and so on.

BOTTOM LINE:  A STURDY HOUSE MADE OF UGLY BRICKS

Blood Tree #2 is the type of story that looks good on paper in an outline format.  But when it needs to be shown using dialog and characters, it comes up short.  The plot is intriguing and well-built but the characters are boring, lack emotion and expression, and come off as bored to be a part of an investigation to bring down a serial killer.  3 out of 5 stars.

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Blood Tree #2

53%

53%

Comes Up Short

Blood Tree #2 takes a compelling plot with talented writing and hamstrings it with boring characters and bland art.

• Writing

  4
• Art

  4
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
  0