Review by Ian Keogh

Undone by Blood’s writing team of Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson and artist Sami Kivelä return for a second combination of period crime drama and Western. The Shadow of a Wanted Man set a template, but instead of the present day being 1971, it’s 1934 as the USA pulls out of the depression, and the reader of Sol Eaton’s exploits is Silvano, characterised by his love of reading despite having to count the pennies to buy a book. He has a plan, though…

Kivelä’s great art elevated The Shadow of a Wanted Man, but The Other Side of Eden is so much better, not least for there being a connection between Sol’s fictional circumstances and Silvano’s ‘reality’. Nadler and Thompson connect them via the theme of opposites. An American commits a robbery in Mexico accompanied by idiot locals is contrasted by a Mexican committing a robbery in the USA with an idiot American partner, and the leading characters plan opposite journeys, while also experiencing tragedy. Both plots use the confidence of a foolproof plan failing spectacularly, leaving the lead characters with one hell of a mess to sort out, and the weather plays a significant role in both narratives.

Once again, Kivelä’s art is first rate. He nails the characters, ensures what they’re doing looks dynamic and there’s no problem following the story despite some clever techniques, one seen on the sample page. Nadler and Thompson also supply clever moments, one about shadows a visual gift for Kivelä, another is the fourth chapter’s puzzling opening until it’s revealed to be the impressions of a man who can’t read well, and there’s the meeting of characters who had a sad departure last time.

Given the fundamentally flawed previous story, it’s pleasing that Nadler and Thompson get it right here, compelling with both narratives and supplying an unpredictable and polished ending.