Regression, Vol. 2: Disciples

Regression #2

by Cullen Bunn, Danny Luckert (Artist), Marie Enger (Artist)

Adrian thought he was free of the vile past life that was tormenting him. Now, though, he finds himself prisoner of a strange cult--a cult that believes Adrian's past life is the key to a demon-haunted future. Meanwhile, as Molly and Detective Graymercy race to find this sect of insect-worshipping zealots, they discover that their own past lives might be intertwined with the horrors Adrian is experiencing.

Collecting issues 6 through 10 of the harrowing horror series by CULLEN BUNN, DANNY LUCKERT, and MARIE ENGER.

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Comic Book, Cults

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2018

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cultists have kidnapped Adrian believing he’s their reincarnated leader Sutter – but is there truth to that? Molly and Detective Graymercy hit the trail to save him.

Regression’s already-shaky quality unfortunately regresses further with Volume 2: Disciples. Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert’s horror story turns out to be a dull Rosemary’s Baby clone. In place of anything happening, the second book is bursting with dreary exposition, ping-ponging between info dumps from the cultists to info dumps during Molly/Graymercy’s search, and it’s such a drag to read as none of it is at all interesting. Bunn’s writing is uninspired and reads like the grind it must’ve been to get out.

Luckert’s art is still very swish. It’s obvious that he’s using Tom Hiddleston and Eva Green’s likenesses as models for Adrian and Temperence, which is a bit unimaginative, but I didn’t mind as the book looks great. The body horror is morbidly eye-catching and as detailed and gruesome as it was in the first book.

Some of the flashbacks are mildly compelling and the art is decent but the sheer amount of boring exposition and lack of story made Regression, Volume 2: Disciples an utterly crap read.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1: Way Down Deep ★★★★★
Vol 2: Disciples ★★★

Judging by the average star rating of the first volume (which is currently at a 3.3 average on GR, compared to my 5-star review), I feel like I enjoyed Regression, Vol. 1 much more than most people did, which made me assume that I would love Volume 2 as well. Unfortunately, I figured out pretty quickly into this volume that the story lost some of its spark very suddenly for me, which is a total bummer.

It's not that there's anything wrong with Vol 2, I just didn't find it nearly as engaging as the first one. I'm very intrigued to see where the story goes next, so I definitely plan to continue the series, but it's not as high on my priority list as it may have been before.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Yolanda Sfetsos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I was hoping the second volume was going to get interesting, but it's pretty much more of the same.

Adrian has been kidnapped by a demonic cult who torture and keep him locked up until he accepts who/what he really is. Molly and Detective Graymercy are trying to find out what happened to Adrian and discover a lot more than they expected...

I just can't get excited about this story. It should be right up my alley, but the execution is all wrong. The story's all over the place and I can't connect with any of the characters. And after finding out the truth about Molly, it just disappoints me all over again.

Might as well read the final volume to get some closure.

[Jamie Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable. Creepy and good concept. 4 stars.

[Shell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly don't think I will continue with this one. Loved the first volume, but this just didn't do it for me.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the same as the last, the art is a little better. The story is creepy. I hate bugs so this creeps me out big time!
An adults only horror tale for sure.

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter raises many more questions than it answers. It's clear that the cult-like order has great power and a long history, so it feels unstoppable. Secondary characters are given a link to the order as well. I expect the final chapter will reveal everything. This story deserves a spectacular ending.

Two weeks later detective Anton is still on the case with no news from Adrian. He is helped by Molly. The ones who kidnapped Adrian are torturing his body and mind. It's a slow, discouraging process that eventually leads to him meeting the kidnappers' leader Wilson. Their cult named Valgeroti worships demons that have inhabited humans throughout history. The leader Wilson has the soul of Temperance Roan, a woman from Gregory's time who is regarded as the first of the order.

Adrian is desirable for the Valgeroti because he has Gregory's essence inside him. He's finding it difficult to accept the order's orgies, so he gets more torture until he finally gives up. He allows Gregory to take control.

Carmen reveals more details of Gregory's life in the order by hypnotizing Anton and Molly who opposed the order in a past life. Anton investigated the order like he does now and Molly was used as a sacrificial offering during all of her previous lives.

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is certainly!! Interesting!! I guess that’s a word!!!

I did not expect the others to also decide to regress. As someone who doesn’t believe in reincarnation, this shit is scary. I can’t imagine how much worse it would be if you did. The horror from the first volume has been amplified as Adrian is tortured to the point of giving in, and past-life crimes come to light.

The pieces are slowly coming together but there are just a few questions left for the final volume to answer. I honestly have no idea who I’d recommend this series to at this point. This is so far outside even my own usual tastes!

[Paul Allard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Development of this horror comic collection - characters and plot. Quite good.

Although I find this series quite interesting, I’m not a big fan of the story about a variety of characters whose past lives impact on the present. The story develops well but slowly and there’s more to come. The characters are well-developed and I’m sure that many lovers of horror comics will enjoy it.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Severely gross and so intriguing. Cullen Bunn isn't a name when I think of for horror books but this is really good. The second volume doesn't lose any steam and even ramps up the regressions. The series is a hit. Some mysteries are solved here and more arise. The artwork continues to impress. Overall, this was a very good book.

[Jessaca Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really just enjoying this! Dark, gory, gripping—there's not much more I need from a graphic novel! If you're into cultish GN's with horror themes, and you can handle grotesquely detailed (yet beautifully-crafted) artwork, give Regression a shot.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I figured the second volume of this would make or break it for me. There weren't as many proper answers here as I would have liked and it jumped around enough that I never felt quite settled into any of the plot lines being introduced or continued. The art was still quite good!

[Imogene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving deeper into the mythology, as well as the “regression” part of the title, this one definitely required a stuffed toy to get through. The last issue had some massive moments and quite the cliffhanger.

Gulp

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

RTC

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the premise of this series, but an evil cult that worships insects is maybe too much.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues to be a seriously creepy story with superb art.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vol. 2 is just as good as Vol. 1. It was nice to be introduced so some more characters and take a trip in the past lives of the main characters.

[Corri Parsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I am learning more, it is still a strange story line. Graphic images of insects and people. Which is creepy as H***

[Mariano · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit meh

[frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love bunns writing and combines with luckert and engers art ? Impeccable. I can’t recommend this series enough!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Individual issue reviews: #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10

Total review score: 2

[Alex Sarll]

"Creepy, disgusting, and awesome", says Jeff Lemire's blurb, which is about right. Not flawless, by any means – the two supporting characters on adjacent pages who look identical but for the sides of their beards were needlessly confusing. But very good at tangling up supernatural and eminently natural horrors, then finding a plausible explanation for the synthesis. And, having seen In The Mouth of Madness since I read the first volume, I now get why the dead-except-is-he cult leader might be named Sutter.