Sweet Tooth is kind of this under the radar series that I really wish was getting a little more attention. Writer/Artist Jeff Lemire has a rough outline for a 40 issue story but is only planning on 20 to 30 issues, so hopefully they all see print!
This second volume takes place almost directly where volume 1 left off. If you haven't read volume 1, stop reading this review and check it out first. Gus, our 9 year old hero is stuck in captivity of a government/militia type of group while Jepperd is seen traveling, what seems aimlessly at first, with his horse and his gym bag seen as his prize for delivering Gus last issue.
This volume takes on a much more melancholy approach over the last volume. We see Jepperd's story unfold in mostly seamless flashbacks, but I did occasionally wish Lemire was spending a little more time in the present. We see Jepperd's and his wife's desperate struggle for survival when the plague/death first started. This flashback and present day formula is followed through the entire volume, and although it dragged a time or two more than Gus's story, by the end of the volume I think most will be happy with the ride.
The other main plot line of course belonged to the star of the series 9 year old Gus "Sweet Tooth". He has been thrown in with the other half breeds and seems destined to be dissected and killed to see what can be learned from the half breeds. It is hard to review much of this section because there is a ton of surprises, and although in hindsight it isn't that unusual to see the story go this way, the twists and surprises to get here left me pleasantly surprised.
Needless to say there are several plot revelations that answer several questions but spawn almost as many. That is one great thing about this series and Vertigo or a lot of comics outside the big two. Deep down inside you know nothing will really ever happen to Spiderman, he has been here since the 60's, but with a finite about of issues there isn't a lot of decompression for the trades. And knowing no one is safe and the story can go any unexpected way leaves you on the edge of your seat. This series feels like Lost after the end date was set, in that after that episode we are heading fast to a conclusion and there were no more filler episodes. Each issue in this volume seems integral to the story and there just doesn't seem time for filler.
The first trade for Sweet Tooth didn't suffer from the decompression many series do, but did suffer a bit in setting the world and characters. That seems to be over. Lemire seems to have a plan and we are racing towards the finish.
That could all change. He could find he has more issues, or pull out for a slower trade to do some character work like the Walking Dead does occasionally, or this could be a wild ride to a great ending.
I am probably not doing Lemire's character work justice. Jepperd does a horrible thing, and through much of the flash backs you may not find yourself rooting for him too hard. But by the end you may be back on his side. And the ambiguous ending may still leave you wondering about him a little. Will this character find redemption and is he on his way or is he spiraling down a path he will not be able to return from.
This is a great series and with some of the other Vertigo heavy hitters I haven't heard much noise about it except for a few best of lists to end the year. If you are tired of the same old same old over at the big two or you like post apocalyptic comics, or you just love well done and entertaining stories check this (and volume 1 out). If you read volume 1 and still on the fence I think volume 2 takes what volume 1 did, and runs with it for a much more satisfying read.
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