REVIEW: ‘Snow Angels,’ Issue #2

After stumbling upon a gruesome scene—their fellow Trenchfolk carelessly slaughtered—Millie and Mae are ushered to take refuge beneath the lifeless bodies of their friends to escape the notice of a being that they thought was just a myth, the Snowman. Snow Angels #2 is a ComiXology Original written by Jeff Lemire with art and colors by Jock and lettering by Steve Wands.

When the Snowman finally leaves, the two girls and their dad flee the scene, even though Mae Mae wants to stay to bury the dead. Being the only Trenchfolk left alive, they are forced to head south. Knowing that packs of vicious Trench dogs and bears await them, it is nevertheless their only hope to escape the Snowman.

As silly as an antagonist called the Snowman sounds, Lemire doesn’t hold back on divulging the absolute cruelty of this mysterious being and how helpless our trio is. Even knowing that death comes on skates, the absurdity is overshadowed by our protagonists’ fear, which is practically tangible through the dialogue and artwork. The fact that our trio chooses potential death at the hand of savage animals over the Snowman shows just how helpless their situation is.

While my review of the last issue was concerned with the plot’s lack of novelty, I’m glad to say that issue two is beginning to differentiate itself from similar premises. Mae’s narration throughout this issue not only serves to build up the suspense wonderfully in key moments but also gives us a little more insight into the history and spirituality of the Trenchfolk. Beyond the mystery of the Snowman, Mae Mae tells us the legend of the creation of the Trenchfolk by the hands of the Colden ones and just why it’s so important to bury their dead. This bit of mythology breathes life into this cruel wasteland, and this reviewer is plenty excited to learn more.

The absolute brutality of this world is laid out excellently by Jock’s artwork. The grungy, shadow-heavy lines not only reflect the black and white world the characters exist in but also serve to reflect the tone of each panel. For how simplistic the lines are, there is so much emotion on each page. The red splash of blood inundates the typical cool tones of the color palette, catching the eye and highlighting the cruel changes in this otherwise snowy world. The Snowman’s helmet and the technology the father uses are red as well, the color potentially being used to signify everything negative in this story.

Wands’ lettering supports the dialogue and artwork well. The speech bubbles are easy to follow and never overshadow the characters or the action. Mae’s monologue and audible dialogue are clearly demarcated to provide an easy transition between the two.

Snow Angels #2 plunges its characters into suspense and fear. While the Snowman proves to be a scary antagonist in this issue, the mystery of the Trenchfolk and the Colden ones, and all the possibilities of what the Snowman could be, will keep readers around for another issue.

Snow Angels #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.