Silent Hill: Anne's Story #2

by Forrest.H on October 01, 2014

Deeper into the pouring rain. Deeper into Silent Hill. 

Writing: Tom Waltz 
Art: Tristan Jones
Publishing: IDW


Waltz and Jones take us further into Anne's mind, further into the rain and, further into Silent Hill in this second issue exploring Anne's psyche and psychosis ala the demonic powers of the famed town. 

Issue two picks up after the cart ride segement from the source game and it gives important context to Anne, why she hates Pendleton, and why she still can't go through with killing him despite how badly she wants to. The tone and pace compliment the game perfectly and do a good job of filling in the blanks of Anne's character without feeling like pandering. 

Waltz, being the co-writer of the game itself, clearly knows these characters, and knows the story he wants to tell. Anne is complex and interesting character who has every reason to be haunted by Silent Hill's demons and her own as we can see but who you also care for. The story is dark, punishing and horrible but also full, engrossing and powerful. As I said in my review of the first issue, this is how to do an expanded universe correctly: homage with uniqueness. Silent Hill: Anne's Story is that. 

Jones' art is complimentary in the best ways yet again. Dark, sketchy, shady and gruesome. I would take issue with the overt sexual tones of one panel but given that this comic is only a few issues and they need to pack the full brutuality and symbolism of what is normally a much longer and complex game into a few pages, I'll give it a pass because it creates a great tension and grossness that is hard to obtain in comics usually. Between Jones' careful treatment of classic Silent Hill monsters and his own creations, the tone and despair of this town could be done no better than by his pen. 

Issue two doesn't hit the same stride that issue one did but, it does settle into a comfortable pace. One that is proving to be the perfect pace to travel through Anne's hell. Silent Hill done right is Silent Hill Anne's Story. Fans, don't miss out. 

 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside