What do you think?
Rate this book
Copperhead #2
Copperhead, Vol. 2
What starts out as just another Friday night in Copperhead quickly escalates into a rip-roaring adventure featuring a botched date, a band of outlaws, and a desperate chase across the desert.
Collecting: Copperhead 6-10
Collecting: Copperhead 6-10
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
October 9, 2015
Sheriff Clara Bronson’s enjoying a night off at the local saloon until her drinkin’s interrupted by a scumbag beating up a woman. Tossing him in jail, Clara inadvertently sets off a chain reaction that’ll see her deputy, Boo, kidnapped by the scumbag’s older brother’s gang leading to a chase across the alien prairie and ending at an outlaw stronghold. Saddle up!
The second volume of this western/sci-fi/police procedural series has a fast-moving action plot that keeps the pages turning quickly. Clara is Action Woman, here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and she’s all outta Roddy Piper. Bar fights, home invasions, snipers, car chases, it’s got all the bang bang goodness you could ask for!
The problem is when you slow down and start to actually think about what’s happening you realise the plotting is actually mega-shitty. The villain busts his idiotic little brother outta dodge but instead of leaving, they decide to kidnap Deputy Boo (if you can’t remember his character, think Batman as an 8 foot hamster) - why? Why not just execute him in Copperhead - why take him with them? Some vague drivel about him being a good “human shield” though he’s not human and he shields them from nothing - they still get shot at by Clara’s sniper artie (artificial human), Ishmael.
Then we get to the final chapter (I promise this isn’t a spoiler) and the main villain says Boo’s good leverage as a hostage, another moronic statement backed up by nothing. Then in the next panel a different character mentions that if anyone finds out they’ve taken a cop hostage, they’re all dead. Then in the next panel the main villain decides, duh, they’re right - we gotta kill the cop and burn any evidence he wuz here. What?! Some blockhead points out the bleeding obvious and it’s “leverage” one minute and then “death” the next? Truly appalling writing, Jay Faerber.
I really dig Scott Godlewski’s art which has a terrific classic sci-fi look to it: lots of open sky, often a burnished colour, simple backgrounds with detail on the characters. The panels are so sparse at times it almost looks zen - Copperhead has a very stylish look overall. I also really liked Thomas Mauer lettering which is a really cool font - I almost never mention the lettering but this comic’s stood out positively!
If all you’re after is a brainless action story with a sci-fi veneer to it, Copperhead is for you. This second volume though turned me off the series as it shows Faerber’s severe shortcomings as a writer, regardless of the rest of the creative team’s quality work.
The second volume of this western/sci-fi/police procedural series has a fast-moving action plot that keeps the pages turning quickly. Clara is Action Woman, here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and she’s all outta Roddy Piper. Bar fights, home invasions, snipers, car chases, it’s got all the bang bang goodness you could ask for!
The problem is when you slow down and start to actually think about what’s happening you realise the plotting is actually mega-shitty. The villain busts his idiotic little brother outta dodge but instead of leaving, they decide to kidnap Deputy Boo (if you can’t remember his character, think Batman as an 8 foot hamster) - why? Why not just execute him in Copperhead - why take him with them? Some vague drivel about him being a good “human shield” though he’s not human and he shields them from nothing - they still get shot at by Clara’s sniper artie (artificial human), Ishmael.
Then we get to the final chapter (I promise this isn’t a spoiler) and the main villain says Boo’s good leverage as a hostage, another moronic statement backed up by nothing. Then in the next panel a different character mentions that if anyone finds out they’ve taken a cop hostage, they’re all dead. Then in the next panel the main villain decides, duh, they’re right - we gotta kill the cop and burn any evidence he wuz here. What?! Some blockhead points out the bleeding obvious and it’s “leverage” one minute and then “death” the next? Truly appalling writing, Jay Faerber.
I really dig Scott Godlewski’s art which has a terrific classic sci-fi look to it: lots of open sky, often a burnished colour, simple backgrounds with detail on the characters. The panels are so sparse at times it almost looks zen - Copperhead has a very stylish look overall. I also really liked Thomas Mauer lettering which is a really cool font - I almost never mention the lettering but this comic’s stood out positively!
If all you’re after is a brainless action story with a sci-fi veneer to it, Copperhead is for you. This second volume though turned me off the series as it shows Faerber’s severe shortcomings as a writer, regardless of the rest of the creative team’s quality work.
November 30, 2015
I snatched this baby up as soon as I saw it was available at NetGalley.
I really liked the first volume and I was looking forward to reading this to find out more about Clara. And, yes it was entertaining and action filled and you did get to know more about Clara, well a little more, but just as it was getting really interesting it ended with a cliffhanger.
The main story about a low life punk trying to settle a score with Clara was just not that interesting. I was more interested in her life before she became a sheriff in Copperhead and what the hell happened to make her live that life and what will happen when the past catches up with her. In this volume at least she tries to get out a bit more, be a little bit more social and btw she will hook up with one of the guys in this pic.
Thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really liked the first volume and I was looking forward to reading this to find out more about Clara. And, yes it was entertaining and action filled and you did get to know more about Clara, well a little more, but just as it was getting really interesting it ended with a cliffhanger.
The main story about a low life punk trying to settle a score with Clara was just not that interesting. I was more interested in her life before she became a sheriff in Copperhead and what the hell happened to make her live that life and what will happen when the past catches up with her. In this volume at least she tries to get out a bit more, be a little bit more social and btw she will hook up with one of the guys in this pic.
Thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 8, 2018
Damn just not as good as Volume 1. The story which forms the crux of the novel about criminal brothers who take Boo is just not that interesting and fun. Its too simple and cliched in a way. Even some of the dialogue is a little predictable. The ending though finished on a cliffhanger which has intrigued me. Claras past seems the more logical choice for a better story but it was barely touched here.
December 7, 2015
My girlfriend and I were at the comic shop last night, milling around, when she asked if another volume of Copperhead had ever been made. I said I didn't know, checked the phone internet, saw it had been released a few weeks back, and then walked twenty feet to the Image shelf (which I could have done first, I guess, but this is the future), and here we are.
I really liked Volume 1 until the last few pages, which seemed to be a solemn set up for a reboot of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman that killed my buzz. So I mainly picked up Vol 2 for my girlfriend, but wound up liking it quite a bit. For a book that doesn't come out that often, you'd figure that each chapter of Copperhead would deliver some kind of Western sc-fi epic, but this collection is simply an action brawler with tons of aliens, speeder chases, laser shootouts and alien stampedes. I really can't complain at all.
I think at this point that the only people who would consider picking this up in the first place are Firefly fans (who I'm pretty sure only like things about Firefly) and Bravestarr fans, which is totally me. But if you really like the old west with aliens and spaceships, this is absoultely 100% obviously your book and you probably already own it anyway. If you like solid, non-edgy but incredibly well-done adventure comics, then yeah, go for this! It's even got a female protagonist and makes some very mild gender and political commentary! But mostly old west and aliens and spaceships. Remember that.
I really liked Volume 1 until the last few pages, which seemed to be a solemn set up for a reboot of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman that killed my buzz. So I mainly picked up Vol 2 for my girlfriend, but wound up liking it quite a bit. For a book that doesn't come out that often, you'd figure that each chapter of Copperhead would deliver some kind of Western sc-fi epic, but this collection is simply an action brawler with tons of aliens, speeder chases, laser shootouts and alien stampedes. I really can't complain at all.
I think at this point that the only people who would consider picking this up in the first place are Firefly fans (who I'm pretty sure only like things about Firefly) and Bravestarr fans, which is totally me. But if you really like the old west with aliens and spaceships, this is absoultely 100% obviously your book and you probably already own it anyway. If you like solid, non-edgy but incredibly well-done adventure comics, then yeah, go for this! It's even got a female protagonist and makes some very mild gender and political commentary! But mostly old west and aliens and spaceships. Remember that.
November 14, 2016
Fantastic follow up to the first volume.
May 29, 2017
Enjoyed this a lot. Hoping my library gets the next trade soon
February 26, 2016
This gets all the stars,love this series.
May 11, 2023
It`s a pitty that the artwork is very well made, but the story definitely lacks in depth and ideeas.
March 9, 2020
It was ok, but the villains' actions made no sense.
April 25, 2016
Great story. Recommend highly.
March 24, 2015
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Copperhead Part 2 continues right into the story begun in the first book, completing the Sewell family story arc. The ending leaves us with a teaser that trouble is coming for Clara Bronson and the massacre of the Sewell family is a tame opening salvo for a much more complex plot. I would have preferred to see both parts 1 and 2 together in one volume since they do complete that arc - and we'd have a normal graphic novel book length. However, the story is engaging enough that I'm glad to see it in print - any way they can get it out to us.Story: Clara is tasked with tracking down the person(s) who murdered the Sewell clan - but her investigation is going to take a dramatic turn when her own son ends up missing and presumably lost in the wilds.
The plot winds up nicely here, with a decent but not clean resolution. Of course, this is part of a wider plot and I am greatly looking forward to seeing where this goes. The writing is excellent - creating heroes/antiheroes with pathos and nuance. The story is both familiar and distinct, taking so many Western cliches and extracting the essence of what makes them so popular and then imagining them in a sci fi setting.
The designs are excellent and the art propels the story well. The artistry effectively conveyed the most subtle of emotions and very smart decision were made from stylistic and layout choices.
The end of Part 2 comes with some extras: plot outline, character design, and development correspondence between the writer and illustrator.
Copperhead is turning into one of the best graphic novel reads I've had this year. I am looking forward to continuing the story. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
April 2, 2016
'Copperhead, Vol. 2' by Jay Faerber continues the adventures of Sheriff Clara Bronson on the remote space outpost town of Copperhead. I liked it just as much as the first volume.
The story seems like it's going to start slow with a drama to get to know the characters better, but that's just to lull you into a false sense of security. Clara and Boo attempt a little downtime since things are slow. Clara goes on a date that goes completely wrong. Boo has it worse, as his night ends up in a situation involving snipers and a posse. Perhaps the lesson here is not to take a night off.
Along the way, we do get to know the characters better. From Clara's past to a bit more about Boo and also the mysterious stranger who lives out in the desert away from everyone else. It's such a good book, and I love the space western combination. It works well here. The aliens are interesting and alien. The bad guys are driven by greed or revenge. There are unexpected motivations and heroes.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The story seems like it's going to start slow with a drama to get to know the characters better, but that's just to lull you into a false sense of security. Clara and Boo attempt a little downtime since things are slow. Clara goes on a date that goes completely wrong. Boo has it worse, as his night ends up in a situation involving snipers and a posse. Perhaps the lesson here is not to take a night off.
Along the way, we do get to know the characters better. From Clara's past to a bit more about Boo and also the mysterious stranger who lives out in the desert away from everyone else. It's such a good book, and I love the space western combination. It works well here. The aliens are interesting and alien. The bad guys are driven by greed or revenge. There are unexpected motivations and heroes.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
October 9, 2015
Really not much is happening in this series so far. It is disappointing, considering it is already the second volume and I still struggle to make an emotional connection with any of the characters. And I don't think I care anymore. Art is still pretty, but it is the only thing I remember about this comic after two volumes.
Read
March 26, 2016As with so many Image books, the second volume is much more engaging than the elevator-pitch first, putting more meat on the space-Western setting and the characters. Some beautifully laid-out spreads, too.
December 2, 2015
I think that your reaction is going to depend on your personal relationship to westerns.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2015/1...
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2015/1...
April 25, 2018
Action packed and full of witty banter. The only downside is that it's too short!
September 8, 2023
The first cover from the second volume features the main character drinking in a bar. She sure looks strong and independent, doesn't she? That looks like equality to me. It's tough to take the pig out of the man, so why not join him? Nice, healthy logic there. But in all seriousness, I still like Clara's character. The dialogue is still fun, the events make sense, are believable and entertaining. It's an easy 5 stars.
Hickory tries to appeal to Boo to get rid of Clara. He offers to use his influence to make Boo sheriff instead. Clara tries to socialise (wink, wink) with the schoolteacher Thaddeus Luken. It goes well, but they get interrupted by a troublemaker who didn't fully appreciate the services at the local brothel. He gets thrown in jail, which prompts his gang of outlaws led by his brother to break him out.
Hickory tries to appeal to Boo to get rid of Clara. He offers to use his influence to make Boo sheriff instead. Clara tries to socialise (wink, wink) with the schoolteacher Thaddeus Luken. It goes well, but they get interrupted by a troublemaker who didn't fully appreciate the services at the local brothel. He gets thrown in jail, which prompts his gang of outlaws led by his brother to break him out.
March 6, 2018
Copperhead continues to offer eminently satisfying sci-fi/western thrills ala Firefly in this second volume. Toss in a dose of Mad Max and you've got a rollicking good time as Sheriff Clara chases a band of outlaws across the desert after they kidnap her deputy. Alongside this full-throttle storyline, the world of Copperhead continues to develop as we get to know more characters in this backwater town. Again, cliches abound (like the schoolteacher with a heart of gold), but it's still extremely satisfying. I get that the story is playing right into my expectations, but that's sometimes what you want, you know?
I don't think I mentioned the art in my review for volume one, so I absolutely have to rectify that here: Scott Godlewski's work in Copperhead is some of the best art I've seen in a long time. Crisp, detailed linework combined with expert paneling leads to clear, rock-solid action that keeps the pages flipping. When you're drawing aliens, it's sometimes tempting to go full weird (see Saga) and end up with a host of unlikely bodies that just seem too strange to be real. Godlewski holds back in this regard, skillfully placing this western world far from our own without making it unrecognizable.
I don't think I mentioned the art in my review for volume one, so I absolutely have to rectify that here: Scott Godlewski's work in Copperhead is some of the best art I've seen in a long time. Crisp, detailed linework combined with expert paneling leads to clear, rock-solid action that keeps the pages flipping. When you're drawing aliens, it's sometimes tempting to go full weird (see Saga) and end up with a host of unlikely bodies that just seem too strange to be real. Godlewski holds back in this regard, skillfully placing this western world far from our own without making it unrecognizable.
July 17, 2017
This one definitely wasn't as good as the first volume, because that was a full story and this was more of an in-between book. Here's all the things that were brought up and never looked into further: There was definitely a lot less real world issues that were being explored through aliens and I think that's why it wasn't as effective. It would've been really cool to go into the psyche of the bad guy brothers and go more into their story and find out why they're so rotten, but it just never happened. I guess we didn't gain anything from this volume is the long and short of it.
June 18, 2017
Hardened veteran of war, sheriff in a desolate mining town, single mom. This is Sheriff Clara Bronson of Copperhead, a town on a planet called Jasper in the 24th century. A product of a war generation, Clara is tied up in misconceptions that are unraveled quickly in this town of many species, all of which used to be adversaries. That environment sets the stage for unapologetic commentary on race, as well as the psychological ramifications of war. This title is great for fans of Firefly, Saga, cop shows, westerns, mysteries, that edgey thing Image has been perfecting and above all, a strong female lead.
Trade 2 was full tilt space western badassery. Boo, already my favorite character, gets even more depth and action. Ends in a delicious cliffhanger. Will be dying until the release of the 3rd trade in September. Or I'll get off my ass and get some single issues cause DAMN this shit is readable and beautiful.
Trade 2 was full tilt space western badassery. Boo, already my favorite character, gets even more depth and action. Ends in a delicious cliffhanger. Will be dying until the release of the 3rd trade in September. Or I'll get off my ass and get some single issues cause DAMN this shit is readable and beautiful.
September 30, 2018
The continuing story of a new sheriff in town. The planet of Jasper is in need of a sheriff and she arrived just a few days ago. A backwater planet with a non-existent Mayor and a mining boss who controls much of what goes on. Sounds like a mixture of Have Gun Will Travel and Firefly, don't it. You wouldn't be wrong in assuming that. It is an amazing read and the characters, though strange and alien, strike true. This is a western basically, in space. The story here continues with the troubles the new sheriff has to deal with and the problems she faces. She is a tough one and people notice. She is also raising a young boy and has a deputy that feels like he should have had her job. Lots of drama and solid storytelling here. Can't go wrong with this one, Folks!
Danny
Danny
May 12, 2019
2.5/5
I SO want to like this series because it has so many tropes I love, but the writing is killing me. This volume in particular was just a big bag of nothing because the villain's motivations and actions made no sense whatsoever. The villain's entire story was just an excuse to have a chase scene. In fact, most of the writing in this series just seems like an excuse to have a certain scene play out.
The ONLY reasons why this isn't in 1 star territory are the main characters and the art.
After peeking ahead at reviews of the other volumes to see if the writing improves (it doesn't), I'm dropping this one.
I SO want to like this series because it has so many tropes I love, but the writing is killing me. This volume in particular was just a big bag of nothing because the villain's motivations and actions made no sense whatsoever. The villain's entire story was just an excuse to have a chase scene. In fact, most of the writing in this series just seems like an excuse to have a certain scene play out.
The ONLY reasons why this isn't in 1 star territory are the main characters and the art.
After peeking ahead at reviews of the other volumes to see if the writing improves (it doesn't), I'm dropping this one.
February 21, 2020
Most sci-fi Western noirs (a testament to genre fiction in the graphic novel world that I can think of several) have a fairly tedious pace as they lay out a universe, and then get into the intricacies of characters. Copperhead has been all character and all plot since the opening scene. The world unfolds around the action, which I'm really enjoying.
I reread volume one so it was still fresh in my mind for volume two, and I'm glad I did. While this volume would also make a fun introduction, i also does a nice jo of building off the events of the previous volume.
I'm very intrigued to see where this series goes.
I reread volume one so it was still fresh in my mind for volume two, and I'm glad I did. While this volume would also make a fun introduction, i also does a nice jo of building off the events of the previous volume.
I'm very intrigued to see where this series goes.
July 19, 2017
Easily my least Favorite book written by Jay Faerber.....
There is a catch, though.
Jay Faerber has written some of my favorite comics, however. His superhero work is better than most stuff put out by the big two.
This book is all about the worldbuilding, setting up a believable western town in outerspace. it works. The main character and her partner are enjoyable to follow. there are definitely some suspenseful parts, wondering if one of them is going to die. I just can't rank it as high as Secret Identities or Noble Causes, or even Dynamo 5.
There is a catch, though.
Jay Faerber has written some of my favorite comics, however. His superhero work is better than most stuff put out by the big two.
This book is all about the worldbuilding, setting up a believable western town in outerspace. it works. The main character and her partner are enjoyable to follow. there are definitely some suspenseful parts, wondering if one of them is going to die. I just can't rank it as high as Secret Identities or Noble Causes, or even Dynamo 5.
August 9, 2017
I am going to start of by saying that one of my co-workers recommended this comic book series to me. I have read the first one and I really liked it. This second volume has lived up to par with the first one.
It has lots of punching, blood, and action. Also, it is a Sci-Fi, Western vibe to it. (Which gives it an added bonus.) I love this series and the characters are interesting.
All in all, it is a recommended read.
It has lots of punching, blood, and action. Also, it is a Sci-Fi, Western vibe to it. (Which gives it an added bonus.) I love this series and the characters are interesting.
All in all, it is a recommended read.
September 14, 2017
Just as strong as the first volume, Copperhead retains its compelling universe and side characters and art. My main complaint in the first volume was the lack of protagonist development, but after this volume it seems like a blessing since she's honestly pretty unlikable. This sets up a ton of threads for future volumes as well, which is a bit of a double edged sword but it's all written well enough to still be worth picking up.
March 13, 2021
Copperhead continues to impress. Jay Faerber builds on last volume's success and tells a fun action packed story with some added mystery. This world that is created reminds me of Firefly in a way but the good guys are the law. Clara unwinds for the first time and it doesn't go well. The art by Scott Godlewski is still a perfect fit for this book. Drawing/creating aliens isn't an easy task and he handles it well. Overall, another very fun read.
June 24, 2020
Not bad, but the whole tough working mom with a ruthless dedication and heart of good is a bit too much. Characters need flaws. The sheriff has a few, but she is a bit too much of a superwoman in a world that seems full of rejects. Either she needs to be a little less together or some of the others need to be more on the ball.
April 14, 2022
I enjoyed this little slice of frontier Sci-Fi. There's good art and a solid story. Plenty of action.
Good stuff. Science Fiction and Westerns have mixed well many times and this is a good one for sure.
This volume ends on a bit of a cliffhanger...which makes not having the next volume annoying. Maybe I'll try to get a copy next time I'm at a comic shop.
Good stuff. Science Fiction and Westerns have mixed well many times and this is a good one for sure.
This volume ends on a bit of a cliffhanger...which makes not having the next volume annoying. Maybe I'll try to get a copy next time I'm at a comic shop.
March 15, 2017
Solid. This is a good scifi western with a fun cast of characters. I'll really enjoyed the story arc here in Vol. 2 & i was happy to see the series starting back up, issue #11 hit the stands earlier this month & it's supposed to pick up right where Vol. 2 ended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews