The Writing
The story is extra compact than in our first trouble, allowing Bunn to delve into more characterization. The interactions among Punk Mambo and the loa flesh out her character, even as giving personalities to the loa. We’re additionally delivered to Josef; a Haitian priest tasked through the loa to help the task. Throughout Punk Mambo #2, Josef plays a vital function as an observant devotee to assess Punk Mambo’s lack of reverence.
Punk Mambo, as a individual, doesn’t respect the spirits or the Voodoo religion in trendy. She’s basically colonizing the faith and the use of it for her very own private gain. It’s a troublesome point, but Bunn doesn’t allow that pass unremarked upon. He employs Josef as a powerful foil who’s inclined to project Punk Mambo and make contact without her conduct.
The talk in Punk Mambo #2 is powerful and witty, making the characters feel very organic and believable. This tends to be one of Bunn’s strong fits, and he definitely doesn’t disappoint here.
A good buy of the issue specializes in the interactions between Punk Mambo, Josef, and Marie. That’s not to mention, although, that there’s no motion. The trio ends up in a showdown with Uncle Gunnysack’s devotees in the book’s 2nd half. That stated, the fight doesn’t honestly seem to add plenty, as Uncle Gunnysack himself indicates up rapidly after. It’s pleasant in that it provides a few dynamics to the otherwise subdued storytelling, and it permits Punk Mambo and Josef to exhibit their abilities. It doesn’t honestly serve to enhance the narrative plenty, even though.
The Artwork
Adam Gorham’s lines for Punk Mambo #2 are superb. He gives quite a few eye-catching, dynamic imagery at some stages, and the work commonly flows extremely well. Panels are meticulously unique and colorful, without a doubt grounding the reader within the environment.
One of Gorham’s strengths is in his expressive face. Readers can detect diffused adjustments in characters’ expressions—a moderate smirk, the furrowing of a brow—and choose up great tonal information. Going off that factor, his designs for the loa are perfect. Even if one is aware of Voodoo as a religion, you may nevertheless draw key context approximately what every spirit represents based totally on the way they’re portrayed. Uncle Gunnysack is perhaps the most superb and implementing, looking something like a extra-terrifying cross among Krampus and a pro wrestler.
The colorwork of José Villarrubia and letters by way of Dave Sharpe are on-factor right here, too. Villarrubia employs a wide palette of colours, with darkish, radiating tones for the loa, but brilliant, softer colorings for street scenes and marketplaces. Even Sharpe’s letter work at the loa supply the reader key perception of each spirit’s personality and tone.
Final Thoughts
Punk Mambo #2 keeps up the momentum from our first problem while advancing and enriching the overall narrative. It’s a laugh, engaging story, delivered to lifestyles by excellent artwork. Definitely test this out.
