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Basilisk #5-8
Basilisk Vol. 2
The haunting second arc from the critically acclaimed creators of Bone Parish.
After the shocking conclusion of the first volume, the remaining members of Chimera regroup, sullen. Vanessa confesses she heard Manny’s prophecy, and says they have a destiny to fulfill… a sacrifice. Meanwhile, Regan is hesitant to tell Hannah about the prophecy, but before she can, she’s overwhelmed by auditory pain, and Hannah hears a hauntingly familiar voice as she tries to help Regan... New York Times bestselling horror writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man) reunites with his Bone Parish co-creator, artist Jonas Scharf (Avengers Of The Wasteland), to continue the second chapter of their hit rural horror series laced with supernatural fantasy rooted in the way we process the world—our senses. Collecting BASILISK #5-8.
After the shocking conclusion of the first volume, the remaining members of Chimera regroup, sullen. Vanessa confesses she heard Manny’s prophecy, and says they have a destiny to fulfill… a sacrifice. Meanwhile, Regan is hesitant to tell Hannah about the prophecy, but before she can, she’s overwhelmed by auditory pain, and Hannah hears a hauntingly familiar voice as she tries to help Regan... New York Times bestselling horror writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man) reunites with his Bone Parish co-creator, artist Jonas Scharf (Avengers Of The Wasteland), to continue the second chapter of their hit rural horror series laced with supernatural fantasy rooted in the way we process the world—our senses. Collecting BASILISK #5-8.
112 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2022
4 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Cullen Bunn
2,094 books1,041 followersCullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.
All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.
And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.
Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.
All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.
And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.
Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 16, 2022
This moved along much quicker than I thought it would, like Bunn was told to wrap it up. I actually thought it might end here until that curve ball at the end. These characters still have very little character to them, but be keeping the plot chugging along I stayed interested. Plus, Jonas Scharf's art is terrific.
August 28, 2022
3.25 stars. After the failed attempt to take out these powered beings, the Chimera, our main character and the chimera who’s working with her, go after the 3 chimeras that’s left. More bloodshed in this one as these chimera take out more innocent people as punishment for killing one of their own. We learn a little bit about what happens to a chimera when they die. I was getting the vibe that this may be the end but the cliffhanger ending said otherwise. The artwork is top notch and the artist definitely shows his versatility with the flashback sequences. Another solid entry that was good enough for me to read another volume.
May 22, 2022
Bunn's series are more miss than hit for me, and this one has been particularly annoying. All the characters do is run away and chase each other, and I still have no idea why the people even have their powers in the first place. Absolutely terrible world-building with an almost nonexistent plot.
Individual issue reviews: #5 | #6 | #7 | #8
Total review score: 1.8125
Individual issue reviews: #5 | #6 | #7 | #8
Total review score: 1.8125
June 24, 2022
The second arc of Basilisk puts our heroes on the offensive, taking the fight to the remaining members of the Chimera.
There's a finality about what goes on here, to the point that I didn't expect the series to run any further than these four issues. That said, Bunn pulls a last issue twist that keeps things moving and sets up another confrontation to come. Bunn never shies away from the horror or the gore, and it's becoming evident that no one in this series is actually a good person, even if they have good reasons for what they're doing (or not, in the case of the Chimeras).
Jonas Scharf's art is something else; he manages to change his style almost completely for the flashback sequences, much like he did in the first volume, to the point I had no idea it wasn't two different artists working on the book. There's nothing wrong with the main story art, but the flashback stuff is truly excellent - it might be to do with the sweeping colour palette that Alex Guimaraes deploys.
Basilisk is a very different beast to what I usually associate with Boom!, but it's still a riveting read.
There's a finality about what goes on here, to the point that I didn't expect the series to run any further than these four issues. That said, Bunn pulls a last issue twist that keeps things moving and sets up another confrontation to come. Bunn never shies away from the horror or the gore, and it's becoming evident that no one in this series is actually a good person, even if they have good reasons for what they're doing (or not, in the case of the Chimeras).
Jonas Scharf's art is something else; he manages to change his style almost completely for the flashback sequences, much like he did in the first volume, to the point I had no idea it wasn't two different artists working on the book. There's nothing wrong with the main story art, but the flashback stuff is truly excellent - it might be to do with the sweeping colour palette that Alex Guimaraes deploys.
Basilisk is a very different beast to what I usually associate with Boom!, but it's still a riveting read.
September 1, 2024
A nivel de trama, es más pobre que la primera entrega (Basilisk nº 01). Y tampoco engancha tanto. Sí, vale, admito que para distraerse un rato está bien y que se lee de una sentada, pero no hay profundidad en los conflictos que vemos y no se entiende la facilidad con la que se dan determinadas traiciones y alianzas.
La Quimera ha perdido a uno de sus miembros y ahora descubrimos lo que eso supone para los demás. Al mismo tiempo, Regan sigue ayudando a Hannah en una venganza que no sé qué le aporta a ella, y Vanessa, Cara y Jimmy prosiguen en su intento por darles caza porque les da rabia que les lleven la contraria.
Debería de haber sido una persecución de las que te dejan sin aliento, pero, en realidad, lo que ves es a los personajes improvisando todo el tiempo y con unas peleas que no están dotadas de auténtica tensión porque ni sorprenden ni le sacan provecho a los poderes de la Quimera. Además, sigue sin esclarecerse el origen de ese grupo y su propósito.
Hay fluidez en el paso de un suceso a otro, lo que pasa es que, al no ahondar en nada, no te llegas a implicar en lo que ocurre. Lo único que vislumbramos un poco mejor es el pasado de Hannah, aunque tampoco es que resulte excesivamente relevante descubrir lo que le causa tantos remordimientos.
Las ilustraciones mantienen el mismo estilo que en el volumen anterior: son coloridas y no son sutiles a la hora de mostrar muertes o ataques. Personalmente, agradezco esto, ya que así al menos se nota la magnitud de lo que la Quimera es capaz de hacer.
Como pasatiempo, es una lectura adecuada, pero no logra crear un excesivo interés en lo que muestra. La puntuación real sería un 2,5/5, no redondeo al alza por lo poco trabajados que están varios aspectos.
La Quimera ha perdido a uno de sus miembros y ahora descubrimos lo que eso supone para los demás. Al mismo tiempo, Regan sigue ayudando a Hannah en una venganza que no sé qué le aporta a ella, y Vanessa, Cara y Jimmy prosiguen en su intento por darles caza porque les da rabia que les lleven la contraria.
Debería de haber sido una persecución de las que te dejan sin aliento, pero, en realidad, lo que ves es a los personajes improvisando todo el tiempo y con unas peleas que no están dotadas de auténtica tensión porque ni sorprenden ni le sacan provecho a los poderes de la Quimera. Además, sigue sin esclarecerse el origen de ese grupo y su propósito.
Hay fluidez en el paso de un suceso a otro, lo que pasa es que, al no ahondar en nada, no te llegas a implicar en lo que ocurre. Lo único que vislumbramos un poco mejor es el pasado de Hannah, aunque tampoco es que resulte excesivamente relevante descubrir lo que le causa tantos remordimientos.
Las ilustraciones mantienen el mismo estilo que en el volumen anterior: son coloridas y no son sutiles a la hora de mostrar muertes o ataques. Personalmente, agradezco esto, ya que así al menos se nota la magnitud de lo que la Quimera es capaz de hacer.
Como pasatiempo, es una lectura adecuada, pero no logra crear un excesivo interés en lo que muestra. La puntuación real sería un 2,5/5, no redondeo al alza por lo poco trabajados que están varios aspectos.
February 25, 2023
After Manny got killed, his power got transferred to Regan. She is still on Hanna's side, willing to use her increased power to help her punish the rest of the Chimera. The latter massacre an amusement park filled with people as an offering to some higher being.
July 7, 2022
Not bad, but there is too few here for me to continue. The art is good and so are the action scenes. Unfortunately the clichés of the characters and the unoriginality of the story make it look like something I already seen a million time. Entertaining yes, but I need a bit more to stay on it.
February 29, 2024
Reminiscent of The Highlander. A great culling or sacrifice depending on your point of view. Ends with a complication.
May 5, 2024
The story continues much as you’d expect, at the same rapid pace. It would have been nice if our protagonists had succeeded in this chapter due to their wit and prowess as opposed to their heavy plot armour.
February 5, 2024
This second volume opens with Hannah reminiscing about the last days she spent with her family as she headed off to a work conference, and missed the carnage the Chimera inflicted upon her hometown, killing her loved ones. Grief-stricken and guilty, she continues her quest for revenge. With Manny dead, and Regan on her side, she seems to be making progress as the leader Vanessa is gravely hurt. But just as you think Hannah might succeed, the last page throws readers for a loop.
There was a major inconsistency in the narrative when Regan tells Hannah that the five Chimera members cannot hurt one another and that is proven false quickly. I'd like some more world-building from Cullen Bunn at this point, as I'm still in the dark as to how the Chimera came to be. Were they created with these powers, or were they regular people who were transformed by some evil magic?
But as always, the art by Jonas Scharf is superb. The illustrations flow well, with some cool splash pages. Alex Guimarães's colors are deep and rich, with colors keeping to a palette for a few pages, before shifting to a new one.
There was a major inconsistency in the narrative when Regan tells Hannah that the five Chimera members cannot hurt one another and that is proven false quickly. I'd like some more world-building from Cullen Bunn at this point, as I'm still in the dark as to how the Chimera came to be. Were they created with these powers, or were they regular people who were transformed by some evil magic?
But as always, the art by Jonas Scharf is superb. The illustrations flow well, with some cool splash pages. Alex Guimarães's colors are deep and rich, with colors keeping to a palette for a few pages, before shifting to a new one.
September 29, 2022
I didn't enjoy this second volume as much as I did the first one, but there's still plenty to keep you busy and entertained.
Action-packed, maybe a bit predictable, but with a seriously gorgeous art, 'Basilisk' seems to be in crescendo towards the big finale, which made things quite rushed on this one for sure, but enjoyable enough all the same.
Still bit disappointed on losing Manny on volume one, as the character development here didn't add anything new or valuable to the mix.
3 stars make it justice.
Action-packed, maybe a bit predictable, but with a seriously gorgeous art, 'Basilisk' seems to be in crescendo towards the big finale, which made things quite rushed on this one for sure, but enjoyable enough all the same.
Still bit disappointed on losing Manny on volume one, as the character development here didn't add anything new or valuable to the mix.
3 stars make it justice.
January 18, 2025
El primer volumen de Basilisk remataba de forma devastadora. Con ese cruento enfrentamiento de Hannah y Reagan contra las fuerzas cultistas de La Quimera que llevaron a que Hannah consiguiese su primera muerte con el miembro de estos superindividuos quizás menos problemático junto a Reagan. De todos modos esto descubre una certeza de los poderes de estos personajes que será clave para la siguiente etapa del enfrentamiento. Y es que . La muerte de uno de estos aparentes dioses terrenales trastoca toda esta jerarquía, ya sea por sentimientos fraternales, algunos más viscerales de verse vulnerables o, lo más importante: sus acólitos dejan de verles con esa temida divinidad iracunda. El poner tras las cuerdas a unos individuos así solo arroja más gasolina a un fuego que amenaza con volver a consumir más vidas como las de Hannah, de quien asistimos a esos amargos momentos de ausentarse de su familia y encontrarla masacrada junto a sus convecinos. El posterior tiempo en una institución mental y el salir de ella con ese plan de venganza sin otro objetivo en mente que matar o morir. Cullen Bunn lanza una idea algo más arraigada a la aún difusa mitología de La Quimera con una profecía y un encumbramiento oscuro de esa líder de La Quimera quien al conocer el secreto tras el asesinato de Manny, dejará de tener una mentalidad de sociedad para asumir sin complejos sus ambiciones divinas.
Jonás Scharf sigue insuflando un poderío gráfico que está dejando una serie más contundente de lo esperado.
Jonás Scharf sigue insuflando un poderío gráfico que está dejando una serie más contundente de lo esperado.
June 12, 2023
So, after reading BASILISK, VOLUME 1 and thinking, "What the hell is going on?" after I closed the book, I closed volume 2 asking asking, "What the hell is going on?", only more annoyed than anything.
I think BASILISK has a unique idea of superhumans with powers related to the five senses, but I couldn't tell you anything about the how and why of these superhumans known as the Chimera or the woman who's trying to kill them. There is no characterization to anyone, aside from most of said superhumans thinking they're the superior ones and kill everyone because, hell, they're superior. Regan, one of these Chimera, is remorseful and doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore...and, well, that's it. Hannah, the woman who wants revenge on the Chimera, is just a woman who wants revenge. There's killing and superiority complexes and revenge talk...and that's the gist of the series. Doesn't anyone here have any hobbies? Who are the Chimera? How did they get a following of people to do their bidding? Where is the back story? There is no connective tissue to be had in two volumes of BASILISK, only a furious rush to the end.
The major thing I really like about this series is the artwork. The color choices make for a dazzlingly gory read.
I think BASILISK has a unique idea of superhumans with powers related to the five senses, but I couldn't tell you anything about the how and why of these superhumans known as the Chimera or the woman who's trying to kill them. There is no characterization to anyone, aside from most of said superhumans thinking they're the superior ones and kill everyone because, hell, they're superior. Regan, one of these Chimera, is remorseful and doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore...and, well, that's it. Hannah, the woman who wants revenge on the Chimera, is just a woman who wants revenge. There's killing and superiority complexes and revenge talk...and that's the gist of the series. Doesn't anyone here have any hobbies? Who are the Chimera? How did they get a following of people to do their bidding? Where is the back story? There is no connective tissue to be had in two volumes of BASILISK, only a furious rush to the end.
The major thing I really like about this series is the artwork. The color choices make for a dazzlingly gory read.
May 20, 2025
3.5 rounded up. The end goal is made clear as it whittles down the Chimeras to decide who will inherit everyones powers and get ultimate power (or something). The dynamic between the powerful Chimera and lay people is interesting as most are fearful of them aside from the one scorned woman trying to tear them down. But that tenuous bond between the powerful and their worshippers has this great uneasiness to it with a thrilled conclusion to that dynamic by the end of the trade. The Chimeras themself have a wide range of how they act with the amount of power they can have over others though sadly it seems that the more ill intentioned ones take the jump as we end up with the touch-based one being the one left standing alongside the sight-based one.
The ending is a bit confusing as it's unclear if the touch-powered girl is hallucinating or went back to the source where it's some weird reincarnation commune. Or maybe it's the sight person's powers getting stronger and causing hallucinations? Who knows. Either way Cullen Bunn has spun a fair enough yarn here with substance about powerful people and weaker people which I'm down to continue reading into the final volume. I still think his other Boom work Bone Parish is stronger though.
The ending is a bit confusing as it's unclear if the touch-powered girl is hallucinating or went back to the source where it's some weird reincarnation commune. Or maybe it's the sight person's powers getting stronger and causing hallucinations? Who knows. Either way Cullen Bunn has spun a fair enough yarn here with substance about powerful people and weaker people which I'm down to continue reading into the final volume. I still think his other Boom work Bone Parish is stronger though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
Review for the entire run vol 1-3
A rare non-hit from Bunn. It's still entertaining; all of the aspects of horror are there, but the pieces don't quite fit, and I couldn't even say how to fix it easily. Itintroduces and establishes the majjor players, it build to a final fight, but it goes off the rails around the end of the 2nd volume and never recovers. It maybe should have never tried for an explanation, or started much earlier in laying the groundwork for the one it did offer. Third-acting one this way is disappointing.
A rare non-hit from Bunn. It's still entertaining; all of the aspects of horror are there, but the pieces don't quite fit, and I couldn't even say how to fix it easily. Itintroduces and establishes the majjor players, it build to a final fight, but it goes off the rails around the end of the 2nd volume and never recovers. It maybe should have never tried for an explanation, or started much earlier in laying the groundwork for the one it did offer. Third-acting one this way is disappointing.
November 18, 2022
Dianie chytilo tempo a obe strany konfliktu idú na doraz. Všetko pomaly ale isto smeruje k ultimátnemu koncu. Akcie je viac než dosť a nadprirodzené schopnosti pomaly odhaľujú svoj plný potenciál. Uctievači sa v prvom booku bavili, ale tu mi pripadali trochu mimo a celkovo prispeli k tomu, že záver trošku zaškrípal. Cliffhanger bol nečakaný, ale nie som príliš veľký optimista. Nemám rád smerovanie, ktoré naznačuje.
February 23, 2024
I am really liking this series! Cullen Bunn continues the tale of the Chimera and one woman's search for vengeance. The book is moving quickly as Hannah and Regan are on the move after the Chimera but now the Chimera go on the offensive. The tale bloody and violent but we learn more about Hannah's motivations and what the Chimera are. Very entertaining. The art by Jonas Scharf is wonderful. Overall, another very solid entry in this fast-paced horror tale.
March 27, 2023
la segunda Continuación de este Comic , sigue manteniendo un dibujo y colores muy buenos y que me sigue atrayendo para leerla, sigue la caza a los seres divinos o dioses, todo debido a la venganza de una madre , por que buena esposa no era, logrando en esta continuación verse la muerte de 2 de los seres de dioses.
esperare para el siguiente tomo
esperare para el siguiente tomo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
Cullen Bunn continues to deliver on his supernatural cult thriller. I'm looking forward to seeing how he wraps it up in vol. 3.
Bunn is the undisputed master of the modern horror comic miniseries. I found it refreshing to find out that he is still able to write longer books in adjacent genres that are every bit as exciting as the short-form horror that he has become known for.
Bunn is the undisputed master of the modern horror comic miniseries. I found it refreshing to find out that he is still able to write longer books in adjacent genres that are every bit as exciting as the short-form horror that he has become known for.
October 14, 2024
An intense volume filled with gore and backstabbing. Scharf delivers some impressive and beautifully detailed images in this story. This is an exciting story that will have you on the edge of your seat with immersive storytelling and graphic detail, would definitely recommend to any horror fan.
March 31, 2022
This series has some of the most gorgeous art on the shelves right now. Jonas Scharf is absolutely killing it!
July 18, 2022
Ups the ante from the first volume with some canny brutality and gore. Story begins to pick up as more interesting as well
September 11, 2022
Bunn and Scharf tell a tale of revenge. Of blood thirsty meta humans, their followers and a woman out to kill.
Basilisk gets better with this volume.
Basilisk gets better with this volume.
January 25, 2023
The drawings are so cool
April 12, 2023
I really dig the art in this book. And the twist at the end was nice!
April 2, 2024
Still enjoying the art. Several predictable story elements here and one fairly big one I didn't see coming towards the end. Looking forward to more.
October 10, 2024
4.1 stars
November 28, 2024
Oh my gosh I have to know what happens next!
March 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this continuation. The characters were interesting, and I liked getting to see them more. There were some twists there that I completely didn't expect. They had interesting motivations. The art was really lovely and detailed. I also liked that we got more of the backstories of the characters in this one.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews