Graphic Novel Review: 28 DAYS LATER: VOL. 2 – “BEND IN THE ROAD”

BOOM! Studios continues its successful run of the 28 Days Later comic book series with this latest graphic novel 28 Days Later: Vol. 2 “Bend in the Road’ which collects the issues 5-8 of the continuing misadventures of Selena, from the original film, and her new companions as they re-enter the quarantined London after the Rage Virus has turned most of the populace into blood thirsty killers.

The last volume ended with Selena and her companion’s boat being blown up by government officials when they got too close to making land. This volume actually begins with a flashback issue that explains how Selena met up with her main companions (at least the ones that don’t die in the explosion) Jimmy and Derrick (who was blinded due to the explosion), two news men with an eye on breaking one of the most controversial stories going down. They’ve gone into some of the most treacherous territories all over the world and think that there is nothing new with what is going on in London, too bad for them.

By the time we catch back up with the present Selena, Jimmy, and Derrick have fallen on desperate times as Derrick needs medicine and Jimmy is willing to do anything to save him. Despite Selena’s better judgment they continue on their journey but soon encounter survivors who have been hiding out. In order to get the medical supplies they need Selena and Jimmy leave Derrick with these survivors in order to venture into the populated and infested city. The city is not what they expected especially when they were told by the government that the infestation has been “taken care of.” They encounter a city overrun with the infected. They have to hide from the infected, get the medical supplies they need, and hope they can make it back to save Derrick, but there is more than just these minor things they have to worry about as the survivors have plans for Selena and Jimmy that may spell the end for Derrick.

Michael Alan Nelson out does himself on these issues as he writes a suspense filled story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and not knowing what will happen to our characters next. The first volume had a larger amount of characters to contend with but with only three main characters (now left alive) Nelson spends more time getting into their heads and allowing readers to get a better idea of who the characters are. Artwork is provided by Marek Oleksicki (for issue #5) and Declan Shalvey (issues #6-8) who contribute greatly to the atmosphere of the story and homage to the original film. Fans of the film will greatly appreciate the lengths by which BOOM! Studios and their people have gone to craft a worthy successor to the popular film franchise.