The supernatural drama Family Tree continues as eight year-old Meg comes to the point of no return in her transformation into a tree. Her mother Loretta can’t fully grasp what is happening to her little girl. We flash forward five years and see son and older brother Josh in a new role—trying to save the world, which is now mostly covered in vegetation. The rest of the volume switches back and forth between Josh’s present day and him remembering snippets of his past that led him to this point. Grandpa Judd continues to fight against the Arborists, but his efforts lead them straight to Loretta and Meg. Â
Volume One may have been better served having issue five as its ending, as the time jump starts to make the rest of this story make more sense. This is an adventure story of nature vs. man, and the concept of Josh being a sort of post-apocalyptic warrior is more interesting than him as an irritable teenager. This story is extremely fast paced and full of action, so there isn’t as much story or character development. Veteran comic writer Jeff Lemire omits the bits where Meg learns some important information, presumably to build suspense, but the effect is fewer opportunities to sympathize with the main characters. The only time Loretta adds anything to the overall story is in her flashback at the beginning of the story, where she isn’t really portrayed in the most positive, mom-of-the-year light, so her contribution is insignificant in this volume. Â
The art style for this series is jagged and gritty. The art team of Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur and Ryan Cody makes frequent use of heavy, dark shadowing across the page. Most of the coloring is grounded in earth tones and muted colors. The atmosphere established in the illustrations is perfect for this strange, tree-people battleground.
Violence and frequent language, as well as drug and alcohol use, makes Image’s rating of Teen+ appropriate.
Family Tree Vol. 2: SeedsÂ
By Jeff Lemire
Art by Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur and Ryan Cody
ISBN: 9781534316966
Image Comics, 2020
Publisher Age Rating: Teen Plus
Series ISBNS and Order
Title Details and Representation
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18)
