This week I get to return to Warwick, New York, and the world of Hornsby and Halo. The premise of this new series by Peter J. Tomasi and Peter Snejbjerg asks the age-old question of nature over nurture.
The central characters, Rose Hornsby and Zachary Halo, have been sent to Earth/Gaia as infants as a condition in a treaty between the warring dimensions of Heaven and Hell. The purpose of their exile is to ensure that, when they return home, they will have a newfound understanding of each other’s people. To accomplish this, Rose, a demon of royal lineage, is sent to live with a loving and caring family. While, Zachary, an angel, is sent to live with an unscrupulous family with a criminal bent who show him very little love or affection. Can the children overcome their nature to become something new?
In this second issue, Rose and Zachary are both coping with the events of the prior issue. Both kids awaken back in their homes disoriented and don’t recall transforming into their “true” selves the previous night. Rose admires the treasure hoard she stole from the graveyard thieves, even though she has no idea where it came from. Zachary is wracked with guilt for possibly having vandalized the cemetery when he awakens in his room to find a severed arm from a statue. The issue then plays out as a test for them both. What will Rose do with her ill-gotten gains? Will Zachary try to hide his guilt or make amends? How much have the people who raised them affected their judgment? Each character navigates a labyrinth of choices pulling them in different directions as they battle their desires and the concept of right and wrong they’ve learned from their Earth families.
There is also a ton of world building in this issue, as well. We learn that there some agents of Heaven and Hell who are not quite satisfied with remaining on the sidelines as casual observers. It’s clear we are seeing the first steps leading to a larger overarching conflict for the series. As always, Snejbjerg’s artwork is phenomenal and – thanks to John Kalisz’s colors – really pops off the page. The cosmic blue glow of Zachary’s angelic form is both beautiful and frightening at the same time. I again applaud Rob Leigh’s lettering work. The angelic and demonic word balloons are a great addition and easy to read – something this forty-something reviewer appreciates.
Hornsby and Halo #2 continues the success of issue one as it begins to expand on its world and flesh out its main characters. As always, Tomasi imbues his young characters with an authentic pre-teen voice. As a father of two daughters in roughly the same age range, I can see my girls in these characters. Minus the demonic powers and flying, of course. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Another hit for Ghost Machine and Image.
Creators: Peter J. Tomasi (Storyteller), Peter Snejbjerg (Storyteller), John Kalisz (Colorist), Rob Leigh (Letterer)
Publisher: Ghost Machine/Image Comics
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