Reviews

Crossed Volume 2: Family Values by David Lapham

linda_psl's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

angethology's review against another edition

3.25

"I sold my soul cheap."

Having found out that this inspired the gory "The Sadness" (2021) film, I thought I would check it out, and it's just as cracked and gruesome. 

Initially thought that this might have a slight Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibe to it with the theme and cover, but it's much darker than that.

Family values are definitely lacking here. 

sjj169's review against another edition

4.0

So my friend : Jeff owes me a case of mind bleach after this one.


I like horror. I don't mind some gore. This damn book though.
It's like Garth Ennis took the Walking Dead idea and put it in a room and fed it Meth for 6 years and then released it.


This is not a zombie book. It's a damn I don't know what the fuck book. There is something spreading throughout people. It turns them into demons, evil demons. They rape, eat people, kill, maim and one of them carries around a frigging HORSECOCK! Yes, a horsecock. Why? Who the hell knows.


It's spread through any bodily fluids and makes your face have this "crossed" thing on it. No one is safe. You can't just hide from these creatures. They are smart enough to hunt you.


I learned things reading this book that I don't think I ever needed to know. BISCUIT GAME!!!!!!! Jeff/Hulk Boy I owe you.

Why then am I giving it 4 stars. Because I couldn't frigging look away from this train wreck. And for Garth Ennis throwing in that

Spoiler

little weirdo serial killer guy

Don't read before eating.
Yes, I'll be reading the next one too.

geofroggatt's review against another edition

3.0

Lots of incest, lots of dead babies. After the first volume, I went into this fully knowing that it would be just as depraved and edgy. In this volume, we follow the Pratt family. Bonded together by generations of working, living, and learning together, they rely on Joe, the family patriarch, to see them through the apocalypse. But the Pratt family has a deep, dark secret, one that threatens to tear them apart, even under the constant threat of the murderous hordes. I admit that I found the anthology format to be a bit disappointing. The reason why people were so obsessed with apocalypse stories like The Walking Dead was because you got to follow these characters through the years and see them harden and change throughout the apocalypse. I admit that the characters in the last volume weren’t exactly my favourite, but I was invested in them and their story, and I wanted to see where it went from here, so it was a bit hard to adjust to this new setting and perspective. It’s are introduced to the Pratt family and their idyllic farm lifestyle, and once that peaceful setting is established, it is instantly subverted when we find out the father has been sexually abusing the daughters. I was surprised that the writers were exploring the idea of “humans are the real monsters” this early, then I remembered how that was also introduced in the previous volume with the serial killer character, so I understood that this was going to be a recurring theme. This story immediately established how awful it would be to be a woman or a child in this world. There were so many horrific things that were implied even if it wasn’t always shown, especially about the fate of kids and babies in this world. When we were introduced to a large set of characters and a family, I knew where this was going, but it was disturbing nonetheless. Despite all the typical Crossed madness, I grew to love this cast of survivors, especially the protagonist Adaline, she was a good leader. I admired how this group of survivors insisted on retaining hope and indulging in relaxing as a family whenever they found shelter, it showed how that despite everything that they were still a family. I liked all the survivors at the end, and the ending with Adaline finding a new hope was promising. I ended up liking this story far more than the previous one, and I hope that the survivors of this volume and the previous one return in future instalment. Or maybe it’s better if they don’t, then I can pretend that they found some sort of happily ever after.

jenadillo's review against another edition

2.0

So much incest. So much rape. So much gore. So much fecal matter. So many dead babies. I feel gross. I won’t even let the comics stay in the house. Mostly because I have a small child and I think finding it would be extremely damaging.

That said, I did like the main character. And it definitely made me feel things (mostly disgust) which I’m pretty sure is what the author was going for.... Now I need to go watch some mindless comedy before I try to fall asleep. 😳

babybabayaga's review against another edition

2.0

I can honestly say that this is one of the most fucked up graphic novels I've ever read. I thought that the first trade of Crossed was dark, but Family Values made me feel like I should take a long, hot shower after reading it. You should probably avoid this comic if you're triggered by depictions of rape, incest, or excessive violence.

leelah's review against another edition

2.0

There is this place where god-awful and amazing intersect.
When you are 100% aware that stuff is cheesy and campy, but you are still having fun and it's kind of amazing.
Think...From Dusk Till Dawn.
Or Tremors.
I am guilty of having soft spot for these which is why Garth Ennis totally works for me.
The thing is, that's a veeery thin line of awesome and story can easily go in wrong direction.
This is exactly what happened with Crossed in Vol.2.
Vol. 1 had this perfect balance of ridiculous depravity that never fails to entertain, but vol. 2 was aiming to out-shock.
No Ennis, no fun. (-_-)

What I did like was awesome take on covers. :D
Very clever.

Oh, and this volume had a scene that's in my top ten Crossed fucked up moments.

drakaina16's review against another edition

2.0

The art was good, but David Lapham is no Garth Ennis.

liamunderwood's review against another edition

2.5

I rather enjoyed Crossed when I re-read it a few years ago, and I recall really liking Crossed, Vol. 2: Family Values. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to re-reading this.

This time around we focus on an entirely new situation, although still set within the universe of the Crossed. I must confess I'm not sure why I remember enjoying it so much the first time I read it - this just didn't quite land for me in the same way this time. The artwork isn't as good, and the story seems a little too desperate to shock and offend. The result is a book which ultimately lacks sufficient impact, as events are escalated ridiculously. I found myself rolling my eyes more than I was expecting to, and with subject matter like this, that's not exactly the reaction I was anticipating.

There's a couple of interesting elements and likeable characters, so it's not totally devoid of merit. You just have to look really hard and wade through some stuff which feels almost immature in its execution. A shame as I love the concept of the Crossed.

2.5/5

bstratton's review against another edition

2.0

Disappointing, shallow storytelling from a writer who proved he has much stronger chops in STRAY BULLETS.