Earthdivers, Vol. 2: Ice Age by Stephen Graham Jones

Earthdivers, Vol. 2: Ice Age

by Stephen Graham Jones

Guest artists Riccardo Burchielli (DMZ), Patricio Delpeche, and Emily Schnall join Stephen Graham Jones—New York Times best-selling author of The Only Good Indians and My Heart Is a Chainsaw—for a mission to the Ice Age exploring America’s pre-Columbian past!

When Martin and Tawny’s children disappeared, the couple barreled into the desert to track them down at any cost. Instead, they ran afoul of another group of rovers who claimed to be saving the world by traveling through a cave portal to the year 1492 to prevent the creation of America—an idea that defied belief until the grieving parents were lured into the cave and vanished in time and space.

Now alone, Tawny must adapt to the wild marshlands of prehistoric Florida, circa 20,000 BC, and the breathtaking and bloodthirsty megafauna are the least of her problems when she’s caught in a war between a community of native Paleo-Indians and an occupying Solutrean force. Tawny’s odds of survival are in free fall, but she’s a mother on a mission…and she’s holding on to hope that the cave brought her here for a family reunion.

In the tradition of Saga, the next chapter of the critically acclaimed sci-fi epic is here in Earthdivers Vol. 2. Collects Earthdivers #7-10.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

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Summary:

Martin and Tawny's children have disappeared. One knows the truth of what happened; the other has found herself knee-deep in her own dark adventure. You see, when Tawny tried to search for her children in an ancient cave, she instead found herself transported to another time.

The time of the ice age, more specifically. As a history lover, it wasn't hard for her to pinpoint the time. What was more challenging was believing that any of this was anything more than a dream. Or a nightmare, depending on how you want to look at it.

Review:

Oh! I don't know why, but I was not expecting the ice age to be where Earthdivers went next. I suppose it makes sense, but I needed to read the whole of Earthdivers Vol. 2 for it to really hit home.

Much like the first volume, Earthdivers Vol. 2 finds a balance between horrific and graphic elements and satisfying moments. For example, I loved watching Tawny find new ways to fight back against her enemies while simultaneously being horrified by everything happening around her. It's well done.

The artwork is stunning. Seriously. It's so vibrant and detailed. Admittedly, those details sometimes hit hard, as one might imagine. But I must give the artistic team (Riccardo Burchielli, Patricio Delpeche, Emily Schnall, Joana Lafuente, and Steve Wands) full credit for everything they accomplished here.

While I'm really happy to see Earthdivers follow up on what happened to Tawny, I will admit that I don't think the second volume is quite as strong as the first. That said, it was still highly emotional, compelling, and a series I continue to invest in.

Highlights:
Historical Fiction & Horror
Time Travel
Ice Age

Trigger Warnings
Graphic Elements/Death
Child Death

Thanks to IDW and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 19 November, 2023: Finished reading
  • 19 November, 2023: Reviewed