Darick Robertson Cover B Variant
The Dirt Beneath the Devil #2
Writer: Dan Panosian
Artist: David Ferracci
Cover Artists: Becky Cloonan, Dan Panosian, Darick Robertson
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
The Dirt Beneath the Devil #2 continues to build on the mystery and tension established in the first issue, while giving its characters more room to breathe. Dan Panosian once again finds a strong balance between the darker elements of the story and the more human moments scattered throughout it, particularly as June finds herself caught in the aftermath of August's death.
David Ferracci’s artwork and Lee Loughridge's colors also continue to give the series a striking visual identity, capturing both the beauty of the Old West and the uneasiness lurking beneath its surface. The mystery surrounding Hendido remains one of the book's biggest hooks, but it's the growing relationships between these characters that make this issue such an enjoyable ride.
The Devil's Favorite Suspect
After the shocking discovery of Mrs. Buckley's son, August, June and the rest of the benefactors are thrown into a whirlwind. Inconsolable, Mrs. Buckley takes out her grief by lashing out at everyone, especially June, the outsider who, in her eyes, managed to escape her father, Mr. Buckley's wrath, without ever understanding just how wretched a man he truly was.
The wounds that August succumbed to appear consistent with a bear mauling, and Temple and June seem to accept that explanation. The rest of the group, however, aren't buying it, instead pointing the finger at June's horse, the all-black and ever-mysterious Hendido, as the one responsible for August's death.
Is Hendido really the culprit? Will he be able to clear his name in the eyes of the Buckley benefactors? Or will June have to sleep with one eye open, courtesy of that devil horse gifted to her by her dead father?
Nobody's an Angel
There is nothing inherently likable about Mrs. Buckley or her deceased son, August. Both have snubbed their noses at June while making sly, racially charged anti-Indigenous comments toward Kima and Billy. And somehow, despite all of that, I can still empathize with Mrs. Buckley over the loss of her child.
That's where Dan Panosian really shines for me as a writer. These characters don't feel like generic caricatures; he gives them layers. You can feel the grief and pain behind Mrs. Buckley's monologue about just how horrible a man June's father was. Despite how awful both Mrs. Buckley and August are, you still feel a sense of empathy toward her because, at the end of the day, she is a mother who has just lost her son. June, being the kind-hearted woman she is, might not have cared much for either of them, but still offers Mrs. Buckley her sympathies in her time of need.
You might not necessarily agree with the vitriol she throws June's way. June is an innocent bystander who had no real understanding of who her father was beyond the stories she'd been told. At the same time, you understand where Mrs. Buckley is coming from. And, again, that's what I've discovered I love about Panosian's writing. Not everything is always black and white in the world of The Dirt Beneath the Devil. Sometimes, at the right measure, you can throw a little grey in there.
A Horse to Lean On
Temple asks June to keep watch overnight in case they run into the same band of presumed cowboys on horseback they spotted earlier in the day. This leads to a small but meaningful bonding moment between June and Hendido. As June walks around the camp, she notices that Hendido is awake, almost as if he were waiting for her.
She gently holds onto him as they walk around the perimeter of the camp, and it's in that moment that June realizes she feels protected. She begins talking to Hendido, building on the sense of trust they've developed over the past day. It's a very sweet and touching moment, especially considering how brief it is. Hendido truly assumes the role of June's guardian, silently making sure that no one crosses her path.
Beauty in the Badlands
David Ferracci is once again fantastic in his depiction of the Old West, and he is greatly complemented by colorist Lee Loughridge's work. There is a gorgeous golden-hour hue to several panels as the benefactors travel on horseback and eventually settle in for the night. The sunset that follows is equally striking, with the warm colors giving the landscape a sense of beauty and calm that contrasts nicely with the uneasiness surrounding the group.
Ferracci also does a fantastic job conveying the emotional weight of the issue through his characters. Mrs. Buckley runs the entire gamut of emotions, and Ferracci gives her facial expressions enough nuance that you can practically feel the grief coming off the page. Her anger, sadness and desperation never feel exaggerated just for the sake of selling the moment. There's a genuine sense of pain behind her expressions that makes her scenes hit harder.
And, of course, there's Hendido. Our good boy is drawn as beautifully as ever, with his piercing red eyes and silky black mane. Ferracci gives him an almost supernatural presence without ever needing to outright explain what makes him so unusual. He can look calm and comforting in one panel and downright ominous in the next, which only adds to the mystery surrounding him.
He might be mysterious. Hell, he might not even be a horse. But I love him just the same.
Who's a Good Horse?
The Dirt Beneath the Devil #2 is another fantastic issue. It greatly saddens me to think that this is a limited series and that we won’t be getting at the very least, a year’s worth of material.
On the other hand, I am thoroughly enjoying this ride and immensely appreciative of it. Wherever Dan Panosian and Mad Cave Studios want to take me, I'll be waiting for them at Mr. Buckley’s ranch, arms wide open and my jeans tucked firmly into my cowboy boots.