The Cull #2 Review: Some Strange Things Are Afoot

The Cull #2

Review

Rating

8

Good

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist: Mattia De Iulis

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Format: Single-issue

This new issue of The Cull does a great job of balancing the different aspects that make the comic stand out. As the group ventures into the beautifully strange world, we get a more intimate look into the dynamics that tie them all together.

The Cull #2

Review

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist: Mattia De Iulis

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Format: Single-issue

This new issue of The Cull does a great job of balancing the different aspects that make the comic stand out. As the group ventures into the beautifully strange world, we get a more intimate look into the dynamics that tie them all together.

Rating

8

Good

All it takes is one look at “The Cull” to see why it had such a hot debut. Artist Mattia De Iulis’ unique art style is eye-catching, to say the least, with how realistic and fantastical qualities blend seamlessly together. Pair his incredible art with Kelly Thompson’s flair for great character writing and you’ve got a killer new comic book on your hands.

This new issue rides the strong wave built up in the first by diving straight into the strange new world with the charming cast of characters taking us along for their journey. Want to know more about the story? Then join me as I unpack my review of The Cull #2 and discuss why this is a captivating new series to check out!

Image: Image Comics

Overview

Cleo and the gang step through the portal they discovered inside the Black Rock. They’re greeted by a breathtaking view of a lake stretching as far as the eye can see, with other small islands in the distance. While Cleo boldly ventures into the unknown in search of her lost brother, the others can’t help but think if they’ve made a big mistake walking into the dimension. It’s their love and support for Cleo that keep them moving forward.

The things they see in the other world are far from normal. The water is pink, the creatures look bizarre, and the plants all have an ominous glow. But as odd as all of that sounds, the gang quickly realizes things are only going to weirder the deeper they explore the new world.

Image: Image Comics

Review

After a strong tone-setter of a first issue, the latest installment of The Cull takes a more intimate approach to developing the eccentric cast of characters. Kelly Thompson’s sharp script does a fantastic job of showcasing the characters’ charming personalities and how they bounce off each other. The group often feels reminiscent of something straight out of a classic teen drama like The Breakfast Club. You’ve got the popular girl in Lux and the jock in Will. Then Wade, being the brains, stands out because of her more scientific analysis of the group's very odd situation. It’s through their differing personalities that we get to see the weird world they’ve stepped into from unique perspectives.

Artist Mattia De Iulis kills it again in this issue. But for very different reasons from what made the debut stand out. This issue is a visual feast as it explores more of the strange world from beyond the portal of Black Rock. The flora and fauna all have an otherworldliness to them that pops when put against the near-realistic-looking cast of characters. There’s a sense of wonder from flipping through the pages and seeing plenty of oddities waiting at every corner. Considering some grotesque-looking monsters are lurking somewhere in this world, it’s clear the story is only scratching the surface of what there is to discover.

Image: Image Comics

Final Thoughts:

The Cull #2 is a rock-solid follow-up to one of the year’s most intriguing series debuts. The issue gives a greater look into the story’s strange world while meaningfully adding depth to the characters and their relationships. Even in its early stages, the story has set up a lot about its world to keep you hooked on discovering what comes next. We haven’t even seen any of the monsters that were teased back in the first issue yet! But after this issue’s great cliffhanger ending, there’s plenty more to unravel about the world than just those monsters. Things are only going to get bigger and weird from here, and I can’t wait to see where it all goes.

Why You Should Read The Cull

• The incredible art by Mattia De Iulis is unlike anything in comics today. 
• Kelly Thompson delivers a deeply human script centered around characters who each carry their own emotional baggage.
• The comic is slowly building up a world filled with oddities that are a joy to discover.