Wynd, Book Two: The Secret of the Wings

Wynd #2

by James Tynion IV (Writer), Michael Dialynas (Illustrator), AndWorld Design (Letterer)

Wynd and his friends must journey to the Faerie realm in this second chapter of the hit series from The Woods creators James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas!

Wynd, Oakley, Thorn, and Yorik take the next step in their dangerous quest across Esseriel, but are soon attacked by a mysterious enemy. Can Wynd rise to the moment and if so, at what cost? And when Wynd is captured and taken to the Faeries’ hidden capital deep in the Weird Woods, his friends must rescue him before he’s put on trial… and Basil, Titus, and Ash unknowingly lead an even greater threat to the Faerie City – Vampyres!

The GLAAD Award-winning team of writer James Tynion IV (Batman, Something is Killing the Children) and artist Michael Dialynas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) continue their hit young adult fantasy series about learning to spread your wings no matter the dangers life puts in your way.

Collects Wynd #6-10.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Young Adult, LGBT, Queer, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2022

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Schemes and framing, war inflaming, slaughter, demolition, infatuation complications, myths recounted see fruition.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #6-7 ◦ Issues #8-9 ◦ Issue #10

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume of Wynd. I really like how this is for all-ages. There's elements older kids could take out of this, about how you can grow up to be whoever you want, you just have to choose to make it happen. The characters are all diverse. The story is packed with action. The world building all fits very well together. The art and coloring are sublime. Everything just works in this fantasy series if you are a kid or an adult.

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot was very interesting and clarifies a few questions from the first book.
The prince still gets on my nerves, but he seems to be slowly coming to his senses.
Overall, it's very lovely to see how the characters evolve.

„It’s good to feel small, I think. Man tends to get a little carried away when we think too much of ourselves.“
„We get carried away when we think too little of ourselves, too.“ 🧐

So I'll take a break here and hope that the author will publish more in the not too distant future. The end of book two is quite beautiful, while book three ends more like a cliffhanger or something similar, which I don't really need right now.

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.0/10
Such a great series so far.
The story, the characters, the world building, the art, everything is great. It's very cute but doesn't lack suspense or action.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Wow, I’m loving this story. Now that the gang is out of Pipetown , they are headed to meet up with the King of Pipetowns brother, the Duke. Once there, the goal is to try and unite all the people of this world. We also get some more info on the lore of how this world came to be. Really great stuff about how the Faeries and the Vampyres came to be. Plus the mystery of the Winged ones. The stakes are just as high, if not higher in this volume as the bandaged man’s sister is now chasing down our crew. The art continues to be wonderful and I cannot wait for volume 3 to hit the scene.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cast is scattered and on the move, having the various adventures and clashes as you'd find in any fantasy book. The plot is okay, but I'm enjoying seeing the characters grow and change from all these new experiences.

It helps knowing that I'm halfway through the series and have the final two books on hand to read this week.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contains material originally published in single magazine form as Wynd #6-10.

Contents: [Prologue] -- Chapter One. The Black Ships -- Chapter Two. The Weird Woods -- Chapter Three. The Two Sisters -- Chapter Four. Esseriel United -- Chapter Five. The Fall -- Chapter Six. Touched by Magic -- [Cover Gallery]

[Hosein · Rating 5 out of 5]

داستان به خوبی همون جلد اول ادامه پیدا کرد. دنیاسازیش یکی از بهترین‌هاییه که توی این چند ماه دیدم. حتی طراحی‌هاش هم باگ ندارن، چیزی که برای کمیک‌های این مدلی خیلی متداوله.
تنها مسئله‌ای که یکم تو چشم می‌زنه اینه که تمام کاراکترهاش... گی بودن. وقتی می‌گم تمامشون یعنی ما هفت‌ها اصلی داریم، تمامشون گی‌ان. چیزی نیست که اذیتم کنه ولی این یکم باعث شده داستان عجیب بشه.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estupenda continuación donde seguimos a Wynd y su grupo ampliado de compañeros de viaje, huyendo de un personaje aún más siniestro que la primera parte. Una gran serie de James Tynion y Michael Dialynas hasta ahora.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in this series. I can't recommend it enough, and it seems to be all ages appropriate. I love the art and the metaphors. 5/5 stars.

[Mattthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid second volume. I liked this one even more than volume one. This is a colorful, well drawn YA fantasy with LGBT characters. I really enjoyed seeing more of this world and seeing the growth of the different characters.
Recommend.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second volume is more about introducing concepts and characters than it is furthering the overall plot, but given how interesting and potentially life-threatening they all are, I couldn't tear myself away.

More beautiful art, more heartfelt stories about diverse characters, and more worldbuilding in a fantasy world with infinite possibilities. Wynd might take a while to come out, but it's always worth it when it does.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Waiting for the next volume.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much.

"She would tell me that the Winds represent the great potential in all of us to change, to grow. How it was unnatural to just pretend that everything is stuck the way it is."

[Aldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampyre* submarines! We meet more fairies! Wingfic galore! Adorable enby character addition! Bratty prince whossname does a character growth! This is full of adventure and feels and I want mooooore. Seriously, where's the button that lets me send this straight to my 12-year-old self!

(*ngl, every single time I read the word "Vampyre," I hear it read out in Andrew Wells' voice)

[Rory Michaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I couldn’t be any more obsessed with Wynd, book two comes out hitting this hard! We get deeper lore, fantastic new characters, budding romance, and an absolutely thrilling adventure in this second instalment. The illustration is just as beautiful as the first, but the colours and effects (particularly for the scent of blood) throughout really sing and make this a unique and memorable read. Honestly I can wait for more of these, I wish there was a tv series for me to just watch over and over again (someone get on that?). The Wynd series is an absolute must read in queer graphic novels.

[edy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(october 2023 reread)

so much happens in this volume !! i love thorn's new hair, he looks adorable

____________
(original review / october 2021)
I was told things got intense in this book, and they really do. Holy shit. But it's really cool how the story goes in a darker direction. I can't believe I have to wait until next year for the next installment :(

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahh I love this series so much. The world is so interesting and the artwork is absolutely amazing.

I'm so glad I only have to wait until August for book 3!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more plsss 😭😭

[mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

i feel like this book went WAY too fast...like, the first one was fast, but this one feels like the author is trying SO HARD to fit all of this action and adventure and love into a tiny space. it wasn't a terrible book though !

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one and the first one in one day, so the stuff I wanna mention might be in the wrong volume. Oh well. The struggles of a serial reader.

I love the Prince. I really liked his progression throughout the story. He starts out this little asshole, but he grows so much! Especially in the first book when he realizes how his actions have consequences he cannot predict!! Who would've thought! I also love the moment when he says that really, he's just scared. He does what he does because he is scared of how others see him. Which would honestly probably endear him to Wynd. But I digress. I like that he isn't just a spoiled brat; He is scared of what his people will do to him, either by doing what is right, or doing what he 'has' to do. He is a fascinating character and I love him.

RIP Thorn the Designated Himbo, destined to be hurt dramatically for plot. So happy he didn't die. I love a simple, buff man whose life we don't really go into. Maybe in the future we will have more to him.

This volume as a whole was a bit confusing. So much going on with the history and the wealth of characters doing similar things. I hope it is gone into more in the future, because there is a LOT going on. It's a LOT, but for the most part, I think it was done well. I think the one thing that confuses me is the history with the Four Winds. We get a lot of important info about the origins of faeries and vampyres, but the actual Winds and the Winged Ones is still confusing. And how does the nature guy from the first book fit in? It's alluded that the Four Ones still love the weirdbloods (so funny that they use that term and the Weird Wood for themselves), so would they have created the woods? Or is it still by this other guy? I am a bit confused about that. But I feel like all will make sense in time. Just gotta be patient.

I love it though. I love the characters and love that there is enough darkness that you're never sure if a character will survive. I am so used to kids' cartoons by now that actually having stakes for the characters is really fun.

[Andrew Eder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great!! Not as good as book 1. But I love seeing Wynd’s development and the different magical beings. I liked the villains vs heroes style! I wish there was a little more magic / utility from the side characters because I also really like them. Here’s hoping book 3 is better!

[Gustavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I enjoyed this GN. I'm so in love with the characters, especially Wynd. Finally we know a little bit of him.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously enjoying this MLM YA fantasy series.

Wynd is absolutely brilliant; the art is vivid and warm and the plot is fast paced with an immersive world.

The second instalment was just as good as the first and I’ll be reading the third book ASAP.

Rep// White MLM MC, White MLM MC, Black MC, Non Binary SC (they/them), BIPOC SC’s.

TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.


TW// gore, blood, violence, discrimination against magical race, medical scenes, loss of a parent, death, murder, explosions, blood drinking (vampires)

[Marisa Gettas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. Not appropriate for kids younger than 9-10 yrs. old

[Stuart Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant comic with really expressive, vibrant artwork, and a bunch of fun characters and settings. Tense, too! Those vampires! Aaa (and it's gay!)

Great follow up to book one. I'm gonna give it five stars coz I'm feeling it I'm feeling it~~

[Steve Stivaktis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing sequel to the first tome, and a super exciting story overall! I love the characters, old and new, and I'm enjoying so much the designs of the different species in the story. A note-worthy part of the second book was the myth-telling part of the comic, which was illustrated in a wonderfully original way that I absolutely adored. Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Brylliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to give JTIV anything but 5 stars these days. Read this series!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i would like to live in the parallel universe where this is the james tynion iv title that no one will shut up about instead of something is killing the children, please. thank you.

(i really do need to get around to something is killing the children, though. i don't tend to read a lot of horror comics, but i think i trust tynion as much as any writer alive at this point, so.)

was book 1 tighter? yes. was there a bit more catharsis in its finale? also yes. but book 2 is also bigger & more ambitious. and it introduces some great new characters whose perspectives really add a lot.

i love this comic. i'm so glad i'm finally reading it.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I liked about Book 1, I liked as much or even more in Book 2. When Book 3 comes out I'll slam down my money.

With that said, I had a recurring quibble that started in Book 1: The interpersonal relationships between the characters felt unclear to me. Who was a viable love interest for whom, who was already dating -- these dynamics were ambiguous in a frustrating way. For example, Wynd has a crush on a boy who reads as much older than him and who may already be in a relationship with another boy(?). So I didn't really know who to root for. I assumed these dynamics would clear up as the story went on and as the characters got to know more about each other, but they didn't. At this point in the story we should have a better handle on what these characters mean to each other beyond general camaraderie. Perhaps that's still to come?