Genre Horror
Age Rating For Older Teen
Price $9.99
Kurôzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. But the spirit that haunts it does not have a name or a body, only a shape: uzumaki, the spiral, the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It posessed the father of teenage Kirie's withdrawn boyfriend Shuichi, compelling him to end his life by remaking himself in its image. It grows in ferns, in seashells, in curls of hair, and in the twisting folds of the human brain. As events unfold, giant snails are sighted near the high school, an eerie glow shines from the abandoned lighthouse, mosquitoes seeking blood fly in drowsy circles, and babies seek to return to the womb. The very smoke from the crematorium hangs in an ominous spiral over the town, reminding everyone that even in death there is no escape...
What's great about the second volume of Uzumaki is that while the events that take place are connected to the previous volume, one doesn't need to have read it to appreciate this manga. Much like Uzumaki Vol. 1, this title is comprised of several stand-alone stories that involve horrifying stories that deal with spirals. Personally, I found this to be more disgusting and gross, although there is definitely something terrifying in the fourth chapter entitled "Mosquitoes". The secret to several mysterious hospital murders is one reason why Ito is one of the premiere horror manga creators. The art, as can be expected from Ito, is quite detailed and I think it is his attention to detail that makes the images come to life and gives it a sense of foreboding. Also, there are several events in this book that sets the seeds for the third volume yet they're not apparent at this point and all the events that have been happening in the town seem random so far. The black embossed cover is sleek and stylistic while the $9.99 makes this an affordable comic for any horror aficionado. If you haven't read Uzumaki yet, irregardless of whether you've read the first volume or not, give this manga a try and you won't be disappointed.
10