Perhaps not as mysterious or compelling as the first volume, but with a more cohesive narrative and a satisfying end to the tale. ( )

Fatale: Deluxe Edition, Volume 2 is a stunningly beautiful piece of cosmic horror meets noir.

This one has two essays at the end, like the first one did, both by Jess Nevins. This time around the subjects are H.P. Lovecraft, (again), and Aleister Crowley. I found both to be interesting and informative.

In this volume we learn more about where Josephine has been and where she's going and of course there are a few sexy times in between, most especially when she does a video for the rock band Amsterdam. As always happens with Jo, the good times start rolling into dark times at the flick of a switch, and they keep on rolling right down to the depths of hell.



I can't recommend these enough-especially if you enjoy classic tropes turned on their heads and lots of tentacles in your artwork.
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More film noir with supernatural events from Brubaker
Volume 2 continues with more short stories set in the 1940s onwards which blend elements of film noir with the supernatural. All of them centre around our irresistible femme fatale, Josephine, who no man can refuse and is sought by the police and the Bishop, another immortal. Lovecraftian creatures also abound.
Each story tells us how Josephine’s influence ruins the men around her as they seek her out, even after she is the cause of the ruin of their lives.
Yet again, the writing and artwork are clear and well-conceived. Lots of gore and violence and sex but ultimately, along with the storyline, it all gets quite repetitive.
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