Number 4 is back, and he’s in Hollywood ready to scam and scheme his way to the top. Issue #2 of Tales From the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death hits shelves tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21, and we have a spoiler-free advanced review of Klaus’ latest debauchery from Gerard Way and Shaun Simon (The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys). You Look Like Death Issue #2 features art by I.N.J. Culbard, lettering from Nate Piekos, and a cover by The Umbrella Academy‘s Gabriel Bá, along with two variant covers from I.N.J. Culbard and Matthew Allison.
When Klaus channels the ghost of a renowned actor at a Hollywood party, his retired paramour realizes he might be exactly what she needs to regain the limelight — and gives him a taste of real magic. Meanwhile, the vampire-chimp drug-lord takes a red-eye to Hollywood to search for the Umbrella-brat who stole his stash …
In Issue #1, Klaus gets kicked out of dear old dad, Sir Reginald Hargreeves’, Umbrella Academy without one single red dime or a sibling willing to help him. In typical Klaus fashion, he gets himself into some drug-related trouble, this time with Mr. Shivers, the vampire chimp. Looking to make a great escape, Klaus heads to one place he knows will accept him: Hollywood. There, he meets Vivian Clarke — an actress who’s lost her limelight — who takes him in … what happens next? We’re about to find out.
Issue #2 comes with a lot of heart and a little toe-dip into the pool of Klaus’ tumultuous childhood. This issue certainly aids in piecing together some key aspects of The Séance we meet in the The Umbrella Academy comics while showcasing a few of his more impressive abilities. To see Klaus in his younger years is a treat for fans of the character and of the series as a whole; the more in-depth exploration of who he is and the earlier look at his character’s evolution is a great addition to an already fabulous story.
The seamless transitions in scenes using the dialogue was enchanting as we hop around Hollywood following our two main players — Klaus and Mr. Shivers — and even to the past with Sir Reginald Hargreeves. I.N.J. Culbard’s illustrations bring an almost whimsical look at Klaus as a character, much less burdened than the one we’ve known for so long. Vivian Clarke continues to be an enigma, her true motivations not yet completely clear, but a compelling character in every way, and the extent of Mr. Shivers’ ability to induce fear in all starts to become very clear. Issue #2 was the perfect insight into our main characters introduced in Issue #1, with their stories fleshing out flawlessly between art and lettering. You Look Like Death is shaping up to be an incredible series with four issues still to come.
Tales From the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death can be found through Dark Horse Comics digitally or in print and at your local comic shops! Issue #3 will be available on November 18 and Issue #4 on December 23.
