Review: Stranger Things: The Treasure of Ybwen #2

Stranger Things Tomb of Ybwen is a wonderful addition to the Stranger Things canon with true emotional resonance, character building and a simple solid adventure. Writing a great Stranger Things comic is much tougher than it appears. Too often the creators ignore characters in favor of plot and try to expand on the mythos rather than just allowing us to fill in the gaps and feel the characters emotions.

Greg Pak has a strong understanding of what makes Stranger Things work as a concept. This should always be a story about facing the unknown and a right of passage. Similarly the art by Diego Galindo finds that perfect balance where all the characters are well rendered without losing the emotion and movement needed for a great comic story.

This arc deals with Will coping with the emotional fallout of Bob Newby’s death. This is something we definitely needed more of as Bob was clearly a beloved father and a story like this allows the characters and the fans a bit of reconciliation and grieving. This is also a solid tribute to Goonies as Bob leaves a map that starts off a treasure quest clearly referencing that film in many ways. Of course Sean Astin played Bob and the main character Mikey in Goonies so the reference is perfect.

Will first sets off on his own before Mike, Dustin and Lucas realize where he’s gone and spend much of the issue following his trail. This is all made deadlier by a massive winter storm which has cut off most forms of communication and power among the adults. The exception is their teacher Mr Clarke who the kids reach by walkie talkie and eventually sets off to help them. This is a nice juxtaposition of another father figure working to help the kids as they manage the challenge of finding the Tomb of Ybwen.

The quest is of course just Bob giving Will one last gift as evidenced by the fact that Ybwen is Newby spelled backwards. But it is a great romp through the world of Stranger Things at a moment where the storm of emotions are reflected by the blizzard endangering them all. Pak and Galindo are a fantastic team and here’s hoping they continue on in this world for many books to come.

Writing: 4.5 of 5 stars
Art: 4.3 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.4 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.4 of 5 stars

Writer: Greg Pak
Art: Diego Galindo
Colors: Francesco Segala
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.