As far as must-read books go, Sacrament from AWA Studios is on that list. Sacrament #2 picks up right where the first issue left off and kicks the story into a new gear. What at first seemed like a sci-fi story set in a dystopian, anti-religion future has become a story full of horror, fear and anxiety.
AWA/Upshot Studios
Written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Marcelo Frusin
Peter Milligan delivers through the first two issues not just a compelling story, but wonderfully engrossing characters. Sacrament #2 puts its focus on its main character, Father Vass, who is extremely complex and flawed. What haunts his past and threatens his future is legitimate nightmare fuel. This makes for what unfolds throughout Sacrament #2 that much more fascinating, and quite frankly terrifying.
Once again, Marcelo Frusin’s art stands out. It’s not enough to just read the pain and anguish Father Vass has been living with, but it’s another to see it. Fear can be created in any number of ways, but it’s Frusin’s detail with facial expressions that captures that emotion the best. You feel the fear, the self doubt, the terror — all of which is drawn and captured to haunting perfection.
“As far as must read books go, Sacrament from AWA studios is on that list. “
The layers in which Milligan has built this story around is fantastic. Whether it be literal demons, or metaphorical ones, Milligan has created something to fear around every corner. Additionally, confronting those fears, both in the past, and the present is yet another daunting task that our protagonist must confront. All of this has made Father Vass both a sympathetic and a relatable character.
Overall Sacrament #2 doesn’t waste any time. While the first issue needed some time for world building and character creation, Sacrament #2 jumps in head first without looking back.With only two more issues to go, I fully expect Milligan to continue to keep his foot on the throttle and to continue to keep his readers up at night.
And if you want to learn more about AWA Studios, be sure to listen to TLDR‘s interview with AWA’s Chief Creative Officer, Axel Alonso — where he also talked about his time with Vertigo and Marvel Comics.