Graphic Novel Review – Wayward Vol 2: The Ties that Bind by Jim Zubkavich , Steven Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain, and Zack Davisson (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Urban Fantasy
Length: 136 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: September 8, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0345539847
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Wayward series
Source: Gift
Rating: 4/5 stars
“After the traumatizing finale of volume one, everything has changed for our supernatural teens. Who is Ohara and how does she fit into the great pattern of destiny and power that will change Japan forever? Jim Zub (Conan/Red Sonja, Samurai Jack) and Steve Cummings (Deadshot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with Japan’s engaging culture and mythic monsters. This volume includes design artwork by artist Steve Cummings and profiles on mythical creatures by noted monster researcher Zack Davisson.”
In this book we meet a new teen with special powers named Ohara. She as an interesting addition to the story. Rori and Shirai are presumed dead (but possibly just missing) after what happened in the first book. That leaves Ayane (the car girl) and Nikaido (emotion manipulating boy) on their own to fight the evil Yokai that seem to be getting more and more prevalent.
The whole thing comes to a head when Ohara, Ayane, and Nikaido form an unlikely alliance and finally decide to take action to cut off the Yokai’s power. Meanwhile Rori really comes into her own powers as she figures out how to use her weaving ability to reweave pretty much anything she wants.
The illustration and color is beautifully detailed and wonderfully bright. I really loved it and it’s one of my favorite things about these graphic novels. The story was much better than the last volume as well; we get more history and a broader story that is more engaging.
I loved that there was a short box explaining “the story so far” in the front of the book (love it when the authors of a book give me a quick refresher). I also really loved the explanation of Japanese mythology and history of it at the end of the book which was done by Zack Davisson; this was an awesome read and incredibly interesting.
Overall this was a well done continuation of the Wayward series and I liked it better than the first book. The illustration and color are amazing. The characters and story are growing on me and getting increasingly interesting. I loved the section on Japanese mythology at the back of the book. I would recommend to YA and older readers who enjoy urban fantasy type graphic novels.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
