Shade the Changing Woman #2 Review

Shade the Changing Woman #2

Writer: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Marley Zarcone
Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Inker: Ande Parks
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Cover Artist: Becky Cloonan
Publisher: DC’s Young Animal

Review by Anelise Farris

Each new comic book day that gives me more Shade is a happy day. Shade the Changing Girl returned to us recently as Shade the Changing Woman. In the first issue, Shade is trying to get a grasp on her new “normal” as she reconnects with old pals Teacup and River. In Shade the Changing Woman #2 we begin to realize more clearly that this task of adapting to a new reality is not going to be an easy one.

Shade feels that she has a gaping hole inside of her. She’s overwhelmed with confusion at the human race. Shade doesn’t know who she is anymore. Her madness partner is trying to convince her that time will heal all and that she should just get rid of her heart. It hurts too much. Her friend Teacup is trying to move on with her life, tired of Shade’s instability, and River himself is joining an alien task force. So does Shade decide to give up her heart? Is the pain of human relationships too much? Well, pick up Shade the Changing Woman #2 and find out for yourself!

The writing here is absolutely poetic. Just look at this one line: “The cost of having a heart is steep.” And I love the dark, horror elements incorporated here. The art in Shade the Changing Woman #2 continues to be gorgeous. Think psychedelic Lisa Frank. There are so many incredible panels here, but one of my favorites has to be the page with the cutout hearts that Shade is hanging from. Also, we get a flapper Shade here, and I love it.

Verdict: Buy it.

As River says here in Shade the Changing Woman #2, Shade is my favorite alien.