COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews A Voice in the Dark #2

Written & Illustrated by Larime Taylor

Published by Top Cow (Image Comics)

In AVitD #1, we were shown how Zoey was trying to attempt to curb her appetite for killing. The result was her brand-new radio show, A Voice in the Dark. It’s a late night radio talk show in which people call in and tell her their deepest, darkest secrets while remaining totally anonymous. In a cliffhanger-like fashion, the issue ended with a girl calling Zoey telling her she wished to kill herself and that’s right where we pick up with issue #2. While Zoey is on the phone with “Heather” as she calls herself, she’s also texting her Uncle Zeke, a detective with the local police department. He gives Zoey strict instructions to keep this girl talking on the phone no matter what, so they can ID her and hopefully save her life. Heather seems to be going through normal teenage problems. She’s a popular girl with a famous dad, and she can’t take the pressure that’s put on her on a daily basis to maintain her image and her status as a “Queen Bee” as she puts it.

During my interview with Larime Taylor (it can be seen here: http://www.followingthenerd.com/comics/the-big-interview-ftn-interviews-a-voice-in-the-dark-creator-larime-taylor/) he assured me that if I liked issue #1, that they only got better from that point. Let me tell you, he wasn’t lying! While #1 was a hearty dose of the psychology of a killer, issue #2 explores how poisonous someone with a severe disorder like Zoey’s can be to the people around them. It should hit pretty close to home for almost anyone, while we don’t all know a serial killer in our lives, most of us know someone that has some sort of psychological disorder and how it can affect each and every one of us around them. I love how real Larime has made that aspect of life in every single panel of this book. At no point does this seem like a fictional tale and that’s what makes A Voice in the Dark so special.

The art also took a giant leap forward in issue #2. (This was promised as well!) Normally I have a hard time sticking with a black and white book, but in the case of AVitD, the whole experience is engrossing. The art is still gorgeous, but I feel that the black and white lets me focus my attention on what really matters in this series; the story. The art enhances the story instead of taking your attention away from it. The display of real human emotion could tell the story without dialogue; it’s a perfect fit!

Something really special is happening with this series. Being only 2 issues in, I’d highly suggest you grab both issues and catch up because Larime Taylor is taking us on one hell of a ride that only promises to get better and better. Zoey is a great new character in comics, and while she’s so mentally ill, you can’t help but sympathize with her on some level. As the story develops I can’t wait to see how she is going to deal with her urges and the questions that are bound to follow. Is she ever going to be able to control it? Is her Uncle Zeke, a respected officer of the law, ever going to catch on to what she really is? What about her family? All of these questions are sure to be answered in the future, and this reviewer can’t wait! Read A Voice in the Dark today!

5 out of 5 nerds