THE FADE OUT continues to be an example of Brubaker and Phillips doing what they do best -- telling a timeless crime story smartly and deliberately. 1940s Hollywood drips with glamour, grit, and the overwhelming sense that everyone is deeply flawed and selfish; it's an incredible setting for a masterfully-executed story. Read Full Review

I don't think I have to sell you on it if you've read the first issue already, but if you are still not convinced...look down at the score. ;-) Read Full Review

The Fade Out #2 is a perfect execution in comic book making. The writing is intriguing and envelopes the reader in the world of The Fade Out, and the art's realism creates emotional beats that elevate the book to an entirely new level of greatness. Read Full Review

We learn a lot about Charlie and Gil's relationship for the most part though. These two guys seem pretty messed up, but somehow working together gets them through the day. The comic is full of backstory about the two and current blow ups between them as well. I don't know if they will soon start to investigate Val's death or if they will just deal with it along the way. Maybe neither, but the mystery of Val and specifically why she was killed haunts the reader. You don't want to care knowing that you will not know soon enough, but it is always in the back of your mind. That is just what Brubaker and Phillips are capable of. They capture the readers with each conflict in the narrative. Read Full Review

The Fade Out is only on its second issue, but already continues Brubaker and Phillips' tradition of excellence. Even though they chose not to follow up with the mystery setup int he first issue (I assume they will come back to that), they still managed to tell a compelling story that I want to read more of. I'm already looking forward to the next issue. Read Full Review

The masters of noir comics have done it again with this master piece, whilst as Brubaker himself has said it was not his most marketable idea it is certainly one of his and Phillips greatest comics. Plenty of drama, mystery and intrigue keep you on the edge of your seat when reading this book and you are sad when every issue is over as you simply want to read more of this amazing tale they are crafting. Read Full Review

I like that this issue puts Read Full Review

This book is somewhat review-proof at the end of the day. Either you like noir, you like the past work of Brubaker and Phillips and what they're doing here, or it's not for you. But if you like noir as I do, then you'll see the moral complexity and skilful handling of character here leading to something special. Read Full Review

As I said earlier, its really hard to follow up on such a great debut issue, but Brubaker and Phillips seem to have done it. The Fade Out continues to be one of the most intriguing and tense titles of the year, and with each new chapter we make our way deeper into the mystery of Charlies role in the murder of Valeria Sommers. Each panel builds upon the depth of the world that has been created, and each character demonstrates they are not mere bystanders to be ignored. While a pleasure to read, it may be argued that the success in this issue comes from its ability to make us want so much more. I cant wait. Read Full Review

The characters' complications make them difficult to understand, even unsympathetic, but also enormously compelling. Read Full Review

The Fade Out continues to be a must read with the creative team of Brubaker and Phillips once again producing a fabulous concept. Between the mysterious tale and character depth this issue proves more gripping than the first, coming highly recommended. Read Full Review

In any other story, leaving the lead battered and bruised in the final panels would be a shocking cliffhanger. Instead, here it is a kind of catharsis for both Charlie and Gil, albeit one that leaves both characters and readers on a downer. That itself is indicative of where this series is headed. "It's another betrayal to add to the pile," notes Charlie, projecting Gil's thoughts. "He's sure it won't be the last." The Fade Out hasn't taken us all the way down the rabbit hole yet, but we're only just desperately clinging onto the edges of it. Read Full Review

Still, "The Fade Out" is simply the best at what it does. It's a clear creative statement that any fans of noir shouldn't miss. Read Full Review

I'm going to go so far as to say that The Fade Out is Phillips and Brubaker's best work yet. The story is mesmerizing, packing emotion and mystery throughout. The Hollywood setting is brilliantly used and Brubaker mixes in historical events, lending a realism to the book. Sean Phillips provides beautifully dirty looking work, wonderfully colored by Elizabeth Breitweiser, and feels like a noir film. Issue one hooked me but The Fade Out #2 has persuaded me to stay around. This is plain good comics and I highly suggest you go buy this book. Read Full Review

"The Fade Out" #2 is an equal issue in quality to the first. Brubaker, Phillips and Breitweiser are already settled into a groove and are giving us nothing short of greatness. This is a series that cannot be missed. Read Full Review

An established creative team like Brubaker and Phillips accrues faith from its readers, and lesser creators might have spent that currency on minor efforts. This team is at their peak, a long peak really starting back with the comics mentioned earlier. What they've accomplished in their history together is to have readers attend to their work at the micro level. They operate in these early issues, on the plain of psychological realism where we not only sense the character, but their vulnerability. They build this tension with steady pressure, until we seamlessly sever our ties with the world we know and float away on unknown currents. Read Full Review

In the afterward of The Fade Out issue #2, writer Ed Brubaker comments on the first issue's surprising success given the series' less than commercial premise. Reading the issue, it's made abundantly clear that the series doesn't need to be commercial to succeed, so fully committed are Brubaker and collaborator Sean Phillips in delivering the best story possible. Read Full Review

But really, everything about this comic should interest you. It's a comic by two creators at the pinnacle of their game, telling a story which is clearly important to them. With so much detail and information already available in this issue, I can't wait to see where the story goes. I've read a lot of Brubaker comics, and I know that he doesn't include information which doesn't directly inform the story, even if I don't yet know how. And I can't wait to see what happens next. Read Full Review

A good backstory to be read, even better backstory to be seen. Read Full Review

In the review for last issue, I noted that any time Charlie was on his own, everything was green, this remains for this issue too but something else drew my attention. While most of the flashbacks shown are always tinted with a certain color, an exchange between Charlie and Valeria dont follow the trend. Its unclear whether this is a flashback or a fantasy on Charlies part, but it really makes you pay attention to whats going on. There relationship could have been more important than weve seen already. It does seem like that might not really be the case, but it shows the importance of color in this series, and storytelling in general. Read Full Review

The Fade Out is a fun new take on the period crime mystery by a couple of experts doing what they do best: making great stories. Its great watching The Fade Out story slowly take shape, just two issues in. Time to kick back and enjoy the ride, there is still plenty more to come. Read Full Review

Ed Brubaker on another noir book is a no brainer in itself, but the inclusion of Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweiser on art make The Fade Out a sure fire hit for fans and collectors alike. A creative team that works this well is a welcome change from the dominate singular personalities that make up the industry. Of course, most comics are collaborative efforts between all parties involved, but singular creative visions and statements from a creative team are as rare as some the variants they are covered in. Thankfully, Image Comics seem wholly committed to delivering this singular creative statements on a monthly basis and The Fade Out #2 is just one of many. Hollywood was a tough town in the 1940's, but with guides like Brubaker, Phillips, and Breitweiser, we just may come out ahead in the end. Read Full Review

Amazing.

Pure quality

Loved it.

Another solid issue in this new series. We get some good backstory and meet a few more players in this mystery. (I love the character glossary at the beginning) And a really cool extra is a report on "Fatty" Arbuckle added to the end of the comic. This series has serious potential. Hop on board now and soak it in.

Good issue, but still nothing THAT special. Also, the comment about early cinema and Edison is dumb af.