Blade #2 Review

Written by: Bryan Hill
Art by: Elena Casagrande, Roberto Poggi
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: VC’s Joe Sabino
Cover art by: Elena Casagrande, Jordie Bellaire
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: August 30, 2023

Blade #2 sends the titular Daywalker on a side quest to find a weapon that will kill the unkillable Adana. A mystical arms dealer may be Blade’s best bet if he can keep her from getting killed by a dissatisfied customer.

Is Blade #2 Good?

File Blade #2 under the “side quest” category as Blade reaches out to an ex-flame and current dealer in magical weapons to solve his world-ending demon problem. Bryan Edward Hill’s script drips with hip, cool, charm and plenty of gun-toting action to keep you engaged, but the urgency to stop a world-ending threat takes a backseat.

When last we left Blade, he mistakenly killed the only swordsman capable of stipping an ultra-powerful demon capable of ending the world, Adana. When his mistake became known to a sect of monks tasked with training said swordsman, Blade was caught and punished for his mistake, but a single acolyte, Rotha, foresaw Blade as Earth’s only chance to stop Adana. Now, Blade reaches out to an old flame, Tulip, who deals in magical weapons that might be capable of stopping Adana. Unfortunately, Tulip is in hot water with Lord Daido for selling him fake bullets.

Again, this issue reads more like a side quest. Blade’s outreach to Tulip may be necessary in the grand scheme, but all the urgent momentum from issue #1 winds down considerably. That said, the shoot ’em up action, sexy shenanigans, and hip swagger turn this issue into something out of a film that mixes Shaft with James Bond, which means it’s enjoyable.

What’s great about Blade #2? Hill’s hip, cool swagger presents Blade as a more engaging character than the typically stoic envoy to the Vampire Nation. In short, Blade shows more personality in Hill’s hands, and it’s a welcome change. Further, the side quest is packed with plot development and gritty crime noir action with a supernatural twist. Hill is showing readers a mystical side of the Marvel universe worth exploring.

What’s not so great about Blade #2? The urgency and momentum to stop Adana takes a steep dip. Sure, you can’t just race at the world-ending demon with a small knife, so gearing up and preparation are in order, but you don’t get any sense that there’s a ticking clock in this issue. Lord Daido even notes that he’ll find time to worry about Adana later, indicating even the characters don’t regard Adana as an immediate threat.

How’s the art? Great. Elena Casagrande and Roberto Poggi craft gritty, grounded action sequences with a little bit of superpowered athletics on top. The character designs are strong, powerful, and distinctive. And Jordie Bellaire’s coloring is exceptional.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces

Blade #2 slows down the pace on the hunt for Adana to fulfill a side quest to rescue a mystical arms dealer who just may have the weapon Blade is looking for. Bryan Hill’s mood, atmosphere, and personality for Blade are on-point, and the art looks great, but the urgency to find Adana takes a noticeable dip.