Really enjoying this series ( )

This is volume 2 of a planned three volume story. Part 3 is due out in October. I'm predisposed to love Jeff Lemire's work so it's no surprise that I love this series too.

I really can't say much about the plot without giving away too much. I will say that while the first volume took place mostly in the present day this one is mostly a flashback to when the Pike kids were teenagers. It fills in some of the mystery about Tommy that was left untold in Volume 1. It also gives more insight into why everyone in the Pike family is carrying so much guilt about Tommy.

It's a tough story about broken people in a broken town but somehow Lemire makes it beautiful. ( )

Lemire substitutes in generic, low-key teen angst for volume one's generic, low-key midlife crises to the same muted effect. A powerful ending could retroactively make these opening chapters better, I suppose, and while I don't really hold out much hope on that front, I do wish I had waited to read this book until the whole series was completed. I'll try to hold off on future volumes until the conclusion has been published. ( )