Graphic Novel Review - 'DeadEndia: The Broken Halo' by Hamish Steele

I agree with what some other reviewers have said: 'DeadEndia: The Broken Halo' definitely suffers from Middle Book Syndrome.

It is by no means bad - the characters are still well fleshed out, three dimensional, and dynamic, and they each get into their own interesting situations. They are very flawed people who go through significant development, and the reader learns a lot more about them, and that's great.

But it all builds up towards a much more interesting climax, where there are actual stakes and something resembling plot progression. 'The Broken Halo' is that bizarre beast where the pacing is slow, the buildup is slow, but at the same time there are details in it that are rushed as hell; so much in the comic is zip-zap zany, with not enough breathing space. Plus there are some instances of unnecessarily meanspirited, and inexplicable, dialogue exchanges and banter between characters.

Well, it's 'DeadEndia', and it's weird and wonderful and queer, if not as fresh and breezy as the first volume. It remains funny, though it is less cute and endearingly cartoony and more cynical, morose and crabby this time round.

Read 'The Broken Halo' only to get to the third and final volume, 'The Divine Order', which makes it all worth it. My review of one of the greatest finales ever will be coming right up.

Until then, for more of my thoughts on the 'DeadEndia/Dead End' series, read my review of 'DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test'.

Final Score: 3/5