All living beings have to eventually die. Even the stars in the night sky will someday turn into supernovae and burn out. But from that stardust, new life will spring out and complete the circle of life. Writer Genevieve Valentine tells a story about Death and a Maiden with artwork from Annie Wu and Ming Doyle as they go on a macabre road trip in their new series, Two Graves. Published by Image Comics, Two Graves #1 is a slow-burner where myth and spirituality meet.
Two Graves #1 follows Emilia and a man with a veil of smoke covering his head as the two embark on a cross-country journey from the east coast to the west. Emilia wants to spread his mother’s ashes over the Atlantic and the man, who is Death personified, is her ride. On the way, they exchange stories about life and myths, about hometown girls and beautiful women of the underworld. But death still has a job to do as they make their way across the country.
The simplest way to describe Two Graves #1 is to compare it to slow road trip songs that make one drift away with their thoughts. Readers wanting to breeze through the book will have their patience tested, but those willing to unravel the complex layers of the story will be rewarded. The dialogue is compelling, but it leaves the nature of the characters’ relationship shrouded in mystery, while the narration gives a clear idea of each one’s mental state. The melancholy of Emilia meets the fear of Death, creating a philosophical melting pot that will remind some readers of The Sandman.
Artwork can reveal a lot about the characters and their headspace. Two Graves #1 tries to dissociate Emilia and Death’s viewpoints by giving two artists the arduous tasks of painting their worlds. Annie Wu gives Emilia and her surroundings a simple yet striking look using bold lines and a variety of moody colors, reflecting her own single-minded goal. Meanwhile, Ming Doyle lets a pastel-like effect wash over her pages as if a veil has dropped over Death’s world. She uses hatching lines as a means to bring more focus to the foreground elements. The dichotomy of styles is an important aspect of the book, as the shift in artwork causes a tonal shift that gives each character a discernable voice.
Two Graves #1 is like an abstract painting hanging in an art gallery. It falls upon the reader to interpret and analyze the underlying tones and glue together clues to find the central theme. Emilia and Death are just starting their journey together, but the creative team is already in synch, working well together to create something truly special. The mystery surrounding the characters keeps up till the last page, making Two Graves #1 a tantalizing enigma.
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