Wynd vol. 2: The Secret of the Wings (2022) by James Tynion IV & Michael Dialynas (BOOM!)

I first took notice of this book prominently displayed at a Coliseum of Comics in Orlando, FL. It later went on to be nominated for a 2022 Eisner award for “Best Publication for Teens”. Tynion has been red hot sweeping the Eisner and Ringo awards for “Best Writer” in both 2021 and 2022. I checked my collection and actually had a couple of Dialynas’ TMNT stuff. However, I missed their previous collaboration on the 2017 “the Woods” series (also by BOOM!). I regularly try to emphasize continuing creator collaborations.

Initially, I gave the first volume four stars, however, the story really stuck with me. Over the next couple of days I found that it simmered as one of the most enjoyable books I had read in a while. I went back and gave the first volume five stars and began recommending the book to friends. The second volume is consistent with the first and has received a 4.3 on Goodreads, 4.8 on Amazon, and a 8.2 Critic Rating on Comic Round Up.

The series was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award as it depicts the struggle of a boy with both his sexuality and his mystic heritage. Tynion is an open member of the LGTBQ community and does a strong job of capturing our protagonist’s internal conflict and place in the world. I found the story appropriate for both the category it was nominated for Teens (ages 13-17) and even the ages 9-12 category.