‘Basketful of Heads #2’ (review)

Written by Joe Hill
Art by Leomacs
Published by DC Comics

The first page of this second chapter is an eye-opening experience as the lead protagonist, June, hid from two escaped convicts from Shawshank Prison.

Half of the page is a close up of June’s trembling face while the other half depicts convicts in on orange jumpsuits rummaging through the house.

It’s a dark, spooky, and simple scene that represents how well Joe Hill and Leomacs work in tandem. June is desperate to find a weapon to defend herself. One of the convicts comes of nowhere and asks for a light for his cigarette in the same vein of someone coming around a dark corner to say BOO.

As well as Hill’s narrative channels distinct character motivations, it’s the art of Leomacs that takes center stage.

The visual presentation of June trying to evade the deranged convict evoked the feeling of watching a horror movie. The mystical axe finally comes into play and June’s head-chopping technique was depicted grandly.

Then, the hook comes into play where the body’s dead; however, the convict’s head is very much alive.

It was eerie yet satisfying to see him go from causing fear to being scared out of his mind. There’s a twist established on the last page that will surely add even more craziness to an already insanity filled story.

My only gripe is that the story is a little too short due to the Sea Dogs backup tale, which spans multiple titles and has very little meat on the bone. Basketful of Heads would benefit from a full issue because Hill and Leomacs have a lot to tell the reader.

Rating: B+