Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast.

For this entry, we’re checking up the next installment of a brand new series on the Comixology Originals line. Grammaton Punch #2 by Miles Gunter, Briane Andan, Lee Loughridge, Taylor Esposito, Dee Cunniffe and Ed Dukeshire welcomed readers into the mysterious life of Van Nguyen. Coming off the heels of an impressive debut, the supernatural saga left readers with quite the cliffhanger. Let’s take a closer look and see where things shape up now, shall we?

Grammaton Punch #2
Creative:Miles Gunter, Briane Andan, Lee Loughridge, Taylor Esposito, Dee Cunniffe and Ed Dukeshire
Credit: Comixology Originals

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Van Nguyen’s life is anything but normal. Being born during a solar eclipse, Van developed an uncanny ability to see ghosts. Unfortunately, Van discovered this ability while being the power source for energy to an evil spirit he referred to as “Eye face.” For his first five years of his life, Van spent time in an out of the hospital while his hair turned “Ghost” white due to Eye Face’s feeding off his energy. This all changed when Van discovered another that not only could he SEE ghosts, but if they could physically touch him, Van could physically fight it back!

With a knockout punch Deontay Wilder would be proud of, Van knocked Eye Face into oblivion (or so he thought). Each time Eye Face came back, Van became stronger in fighting back. This seemed to be starting a new age for Van assuming a (somewhat) normal life. However, like most best laid plans, this doesn’t go over well as a trip to see his mom in a power-lifting contest turns into something else as more ghosts have arrived. Van learns very quickly that Eye Face was the least of his problems.

After a harsh defeat, Van leaves home while his mom is asleep to take down more ghosts. Walking by a haunted house, Van runs into someone who might be able to relate to his issues.

This issue opens up with a man named Rick Wallace telling Van how he knew Van was born on an eclipse. Puzzled by his insight, Van starts digging into Rick’s knowledge of the house they are at. Rick tells Van (and the readers) about serial killer Dalton Wyngard and what he did with his victims’ bodies. This persuades Van to back off on his initial plan of dealing with the inhabitant ghosts of the house and follows Rick for more knowledge. After revealing he’s a witch, Rick breaks about how other kids haven’t been as fortunate as Van involving their gifts due to being medicated.

Rick has more to show Van concerning their world but Van is skeptical. What does Rick want to show Van? Readers hop on-board as Rick shows Van a whole new aspect in the land of the apparitions. How does the young hero handle this information? What other reveals does Rick have in store? Is there a big change in the story after? Readers will have a lot to process heading into the final page which is guaranteed to have fans talking about what they just witnessed!

BREAKDOWN: Gunter keeps readers on their toes with some solid reveals mixed in the overall story. The mystery behind Rick was an interesting dynamic to throw into the young hero’s world but played a noteworthy role in expanding the landscape they’re currently in. Van’s an emerging character at this age and has no idea what he’s not become involved with. Gunter doesn’t shy away from this and it made for some interactions that should play out bigger with the story’s progression. The big surprise in the final act brings up a huge shift in the story, but one that never loses focus on the main theme at hand.

Andan and Loughridge brings Van’s supernatural world a few different looks this issue. The panel sequence involving Dalton Wyngard jumps out with its’ use of colors and details on the victims. Another great panel sequence involves Van, Rick and a police officer in pursuit. The set-up (along with Dukeshire’s lettering) gave a dose of intrigue to a brief scene. This was followed by an excellent full page showcasing more facts about the ghosts that lurk in Van’s world. When the action hits, the pages feel fluid and never ease up on delivering on the importance factor. The final act is shadowed well enough until the very end, where it adds a big close to a packed issue.

FINAL POINT: The life and Times of Van Nguyen continues to capture the imagination of comic readers with a grand follow-up to its’ thrilling debut. Gunter, Andan and the team dive deeper into the questions surrounding Van’s abilities and what challenges lie ahead. Definitely keep an eye out for this issue and series on New Comic Book Day on Comixology.

Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know what you thought of Grammaton Punch #2. Thanks for reading!

GRAMMATON PUNCH #2 (COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS)

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