Blossoms: 666 #2 Review

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Laura Braga
Colorist: Matt Herms
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Publisher: Archie Horror

I’ve spoken the praises of Cullen Bunn and his ability to write wonderful horror comics a thousand times now, but there is obviously a reason why I feel that so strongly. Something about his writing pulls me in, especially when the subject matter is dark. Blossoms: 666’s subject matter is quite wicked and Bunn does what he does best and uses that darkness to tell a great story.

What most impresses me about this series is how well the characters are written. Cheryl and Jason Blossom are fascinating characters within the Archie Comics universe, and a few of the Archie Horror series have added them to their stories in different ways. But with this series being focused on the siblings, it allows us to see them a little differently.

For example, this second issue continues to show that the Blossoms are incredibly sinister and yet I can’t help but fall in love with them. Their malevolence is very attractive in both of them, making them almost dangerously glamorous. But on top of all of that, I strangely also really want Betty to expose them and take them down. Cullen Bunn has used this issue to make me become attached to whatever character happens to be on the page, whether they are good or evil.

It is also very impressive that this issue contained only one obvious and big spooky scene, yet the entire issue’s tone feels very creepy and unsettling. There is a constant sense of doom, as if it is lurking on the next page the entire way through.

A lot of the characteristics of my praise about this issue can also be heavily attributed to the gorgeous artwork of Laura Braga. That creepy attraction that I have with the Blossoms is very influenced by how beautiful she has illustrated them. Their appearance, their body language, and their complete lack of empathy is all very easy to see because of Braga’s artwork. Also, her full page reveal of the big scene towards the end made me very excited because with the imagery looking that amazing, I imagine that the further we get into this Satanic story she will unveil more awesome statues and such from Braga.

Matt Herm’s coloring also adds a lot to this issue, especially with the color of the Blossom’s hair. The red used on them stands out tremendously and helps keep us entranced by their beauty.

Cullen Bunn has written an amazing issue that is full of tension, drama, and wickedness with characters that are sexy, intimidating, and menacing. Laura Braga illustrated that tension, drama, and wickedness beautifully and did an exceptional job at turning those sexy, intimidating, and menacing characters into visuals for us to fall in love with. This slow-burn horror series is exactly what the Blossoms needed.