In Review: Penny Dreadful: The Awakening #2.11

Synopsis: An ill wind blows through the streets of London…

On a train racing north, Cat, Frankenstein, Sedna, and Nanuq are battling the witches who have dogged their steps since the recent horrors erupted in London. With their last hope — their best hope — finally almost within reach, they forge onwards, desperate to find Dracula and they key to defeating the evil that sweeps the country.

Lily alone is left to rescue Ethan from Lucifer, and despite her resourcefulness, despite her bravery, she is at the mercy of a foe whose true madness is yet to be fully revealed…

Review: Penny Dreadful: The Awakening #2.11 is a transition issue, setting up the conclusion of this arc. Readers get witches, a train wreck, a nod to Greek mythology, two returning characters, a betrayal, and more.

Visually, the train wreck is the most grounded and realistic sequence in the issue — a perfect counterpoint to the ancient, otherworldly goings-on. Moreover, it drives the action, forcing our heroes to take a path they otherwise wouldn’t have. Along the way, Victor Frankenstein demonstrates some personal growth.

Meanwhile, Frankenstein’s latest creation — Lily — finds herself in the Bride vs. Hyde throw down I thought we’d been waiting for, but writer Chris King structured the fight so that readers will have to wait for the next issue to see the resolution. I really hate the demands of narrative structure sometimes.

While that’s going on, Ethan and Satan-Vanessa continue to be as boring as ever. Their plotline plays out, as our heroes finally reach Dracula! 

The journey to Dracula justifies the conversion of Penny Dreadful into comic format. Jesus Hervas‘ art on pages 18-22 is exquisite. Readers get a ride with The Ferryman himself, and there’s nary a trace of deconstruction. His name is spelled differently, but he looks and acts exactly as one would expect.

All in all, Penny Dreadful: The Awakening #2.11 is engaging and occasionally sumptuous entertainment. It leaves readers in want of the next installment.

Written by

Chris King

Art by

Jesus Hervas

Colored by

Jason Wordie

Published by

Titan Comics