Review of Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf: Volume Two by Patricia Briggs, et al.

Publisher: InkLit
Writers: Patricia Briggs, David Lawrence
Illustrators: Todd Herman, Jenny Frison
Series: Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf
Format Read: Hardcover Graphic Novel
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon  Barnes & Noble  The Book Depository


Blurb from Amazon:
 A world of shapeshifting wolves comes vividly to life in this collection of four comics based on Cry Wolf, the first book in Patricia Briggs’s #1 New York Times bestselling Alpha and Omega series.

Charles and Anna are on the hunt for a rogue werewolf in the Montana mountains. The creature has morphed into something so dark that it kills everything in its path: deer, elk, grizzlies…humans.

But the wolf is the creature of something far more powerful. One of Charles and Anna’s own pack harbors a centuries-old secret that has come back to haunt him—and wreak vengeance on those around him.

Charles and Anna—unaware of the truth—are two innocents who stand in the way. But even as members of their pack rally around them, Anna’s rare power comes into its own—and is unleashed…

Bea's Thoughts: 

I gobbled this up as soon as I got it then I pulled out volume 1 and re-read them both, back to back. I reviewed volume 1 back in October. I'm still not thrilled with the art but at least in volume 1, Charles looked like an American Indian while in volume two he looks white. It's the same illustrator so I don't know why his look would change so dramatically but it was disappointing. Additionally, his wolf looks drastically different and Anna's freckles disappeared. As before, the facial expressions are someties odd and Anna's arms have a tendency to be extra-long and skinny, like a Gumby doll. Despite that, the art as a whole works with the text and moves the story along. The colors are gorgeous and the shading is at times exquisite. 

The story moves along quickly and is a good adaptation of the novel. As always, there have been cuts. I particularly miss the scene back at Charles's house where Charles and Bran are talking and we don't get Anna's family at the wedding nor do we get the hunt after the bonding ceremony. But, the story ends with a nice tribute to Walter, who was one of my favorite characters. We also get a brief flashback scene of Bran's mother who is one mean-looking, and just plain mean, woman. 

There a a few panels where, if you haven't read the original book, you may be confused but overall, this volume and its predecessor work well as a cohesive story that can be read independently of the book. I enjoyed reading, and re-reading it.

Review of Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf Vol.1

Publisher: InkLit
Writers: Patricia Briggs, David Lawrence
Illustrators: Todd Herman, Jenny Frison
Series: Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Buying Links:  Penguin US **As of when I wrote this post none of the major book vendors had updated their information to reflect this new edition.


Book Blurb (from goodreads):

The long-awaited collection-the first four issues of the graphic novel adaptation of the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author's novel "Cry Wolf".

"Cry Wolf" is Patricia Briggs' "New York Times" bestselling novel about the werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham. Now, these characters come alive in full-color graphic novels. 

Anne never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack...and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. 

Then Charles Cornick-the son of the leader of the North American werewolves-came into her life. He insists that not only is Anne his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And Anna may be the key to stopping a rogue werewolf that threatens the entire pack.

This is a re-issue of Ace's compilation of the Dynamite Entertainment Cry Wolf graphic series. It contains new artwork and a never-before published version of issue #1. It is NOT identical to the Ace edition though it does have the same ISBN.

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

I love Anna and Charles' romance. From the novella that started it all to the newest book, Fair Game", I think they are a wonderful pair. When this series was first issued I waited too long and it sold out. Then I waited too long for the original compilation. But now, now I have it!

Briggs was involved with adapting the story and, while necessarily condensed due to the different format, it's well done, with nothing crucial missing, and some of my favorite lines and scenes remained intact. The story flows and makes sense, though if this is your introduction to the series, there might be some mild confusion.

The artwork, I'm not so in love with. Mostly, it has to do with how the characters look. Sam and Charles fit the descriptions given in the original books AND they pretty well match my mental images of them. Bran, in my opinion, does not match. He is repeatedly described as slender, pleasant looking, and nondescript in the books but here he's muscled, and gives off a bad ass vibe. Anna fits the book description but I think I've been strongly influenced by the book covers; she looks different from those and to my mind, looks wrong. Obviously, that and the others are a matter of personal taste and your opinion may vary wildly. Additionally, some of the facial expressions on Anna and Charles are just plain weird. As far as supporting the text and working with it to tell the story, the art does that very well.

In all, it's a well done adaptation and I'm looking forward to the second volume.

I received this hardcover from the publisher.