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Vermis
Vermis II: Mist & Mirrors
"Vermis II" is the second of an artbook series by the artist Plastiboo.
A pure act of world-building inspired by old dungeon crawler games.
It could be considered an official guide of a game that doesn't exist, since it's not a game at all!
Thy flesh doth not belong to thee.
A pure act of world-building inspired by old dungeon crawler games.
It could be considered an official guide of a game that doesn't exist, since it's not a game at all!
Thy flesh doth not belong to thee.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 29, 2024
In a way, I got what I wanted - it does seem that Plastiboo stepped up the writing for the sequel to this gloomy, murky adventure. The prose itself is considerably improved - even the occasional interesting and archaic word is thrown in. However, I think they then lean a little too far into this - now telling the 3rd person story of the Wayfarer instead of the 2nd person "You, the Adventurer," Vermis II is able to devote even more energy towards (comparatively) lengthy narrative paragraphs on a majority of pages here, describing the story and atmosphere, all of this of course supported, hell, carried by the fantastic, spooky, gritty artwork, just as good and creative as the first time around.
Despite the feeling of being a rickety, amateurish translation, I think the 2nd-person guide-book style of the narrative of the first Vermis was superior to this. Vermis II is more great artwork and good, creative ideas, but is bogged down by a lot of storytelling that doesn't elevate the setting, artwork or ideas very much at all. This book (and the previous) are at its strongest when introducing rosters of enemies or characters each with a brief description and accompanying artwork. That's when the creativity really flows, I think.
Despite the feeling of being a rickety, amateurish translation, I think the 2nd-person guide-book style of the narrative of the first Vermis was superior to this. Vermis II is more great artwork and good, creative ideas, but is bogged down by a lot of storytelling that doesn't elevate the setting, artwork or ideas very much at all. This book (and the previous) are at its strongest when introducing rosters of enemies or characters each with a brief description and accompanying artwork. That's when the creativity really flows, I think.
January 1, 2024
It's not as good as the first one, in my opinion. It felt more like a traditional story rather than a video game guide like the last one. That was the concept that got me to read the first book, then second was more linear and followed one character the whole way through. The art, as always, was incredible, however, and that alone deserves 5 stars, but at points, the lost concept holds the book back. The ending depicting the characters and artifacts the wayfarer came into contact with was a cool concept. On top of that, the wayfarer as a character was fascinating, and I loved reading about him, but the belief that this is a video game guide is shattered, unfortunately. The book also contained some spelling mistakes that brought me out of it but didn't ruin it for me. The Spotify Playlist Platiboo created added a lot while reading as well, so that was much appreciated. I still highly recommend Mist and Mirrors for the breathtaking art, amazing world concept, and a book that you won't forget. You will find out who stares back from the dark glass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2024
Vermis and Vermis II are incredible journeys through art and story telling in a surreal horrific world. I can't say enough nice things about the incredible books that Plastiboo has created. I think I personally prefer Vermis I between the two, but Vermis II is well worth the price.
July 15, 2024
This is amazing, so unique and you can really feel all the work that went into it. I enjoyed being thrust into a world that was well described but left plenty to the imagination.
April 28, 2024
Ohhhhhh I get it it was his mind all along
Read
June 29, 2024Sequels not matching the magic of the original is a truism, but what's shocking here is the specific open goal that's been missed. Sure, maybe the opening desert setting wouldn't have been as natural for the murky Vermis aesthetic as the first volume's marshes and caverns. Maybe having already attuned to the wavelength wouldt mean that new creations such as the Flying Effigy and Living Cage wouldn't have the same uncanny impact as the earlier horrors. But the big problem is that the writing appears somehow to have forgotten the entire conceit of being an official guide to a (nonexistent) game. Part of the previous installment's brilliance was the way it would address the player in the second person, and if somehow 'you' seemed to have minimal agency or chance of escape, that was part of the impact. Here, inexplicably, we're instead told in the third person what is happening to 'the Wayfarer', and regardless of the illustrations or boxing details out, now it's just a story, not a fake guide at all. In particular, I don't normally have much time for the writing advice which imperiously forbids adverbs, but "the Wayfarer slowly descends the stairs and carefully approaches the figure" sums up a book that has completely lost sight of its bit. Unless, I suppose, the goal here was to capture the spellbreaking annoyance of excessive cut scenes?
August 22, 2024
El arte de Plastiboo sigue evolucionando, este tomo es visualmente más potente. Sin embargo, da la sensación de que se pierde el rollo "guía de videojuego". Narrativamente es un desbarre. En la primera parte, a pesar de sus limitaciones y su abrupta resolución, había un viaje. Aquí las transiciones entre un escenario y otro son confusas e inconexas: sueños, reflejos, brumas... se hace cansino y monótono, puesto que no hay tanta variedad como en Vermis 1, manteniéndose casi de manera constante la misma atmósfera. Hay páginas muy buenas, como el ascenso al campanario o las extrañas criaturas en busca de iluminación, pero lo cierto es que me ha costado terminarlo. No tengo ni idea de cuántos más libros de Vermis tiene pensado publicar, lo que sí está claro es que mi paciencia va llegando a su límite.
May 19, 2024
Despite being about mirrors, I found this to be less reflective than the first book. The move from second person to a sort of detached third person made me feel much more disconnected as a reader.
The narrative and setting are still just as introspective, but less immersive. The conceit of it being a game book was also only loosely followed, with occasional mentions of possible loot, or enemy stats.
The art is the stand out of this sequel, with several pages I wish I could adorn my walls with.
Note on the Forsaken Edition: As I said in my review of Vermis I, the Forsaken Edition smells strangely like plywood or sawdust. I'm hoping it wears off over time, but they're both quite fragrant.
The narrative and setting are still just as introspective, but less immersive. The conceit of it being a game book was also only loosely followed, with occasional mentions of possible loot, or enemy stats.
The art is the stand out of this sequel, with several pages I wish I could adorn my walls with.
Note on the Forsaken Edition: As I said in my review of Vermis I, the Forsaken Edition smells strangely like plywood or sawdust. I'm hoping it wears off over time, but they're both quite fragrant.
April 22, 2024
One of my favorite books of all time. Like the first book there is wonderful atmosphere and art (though perhaps not as grounded in location as the first). However, these elements become more supportive to a stronger, improved narrative arc than the first book that I found extremely compelling. The twist at the end is particularly brilliant, one of the best I’ve ever read.
While many reviewers seem disappointed that this wasn’t the same as the last book (complaints that there’s more storytelling and the pretense of it being a guidebook isn’t as strong) I think this is mostly a case of people surprised that the book wasn’t quite what they expected it would be based on the first. I personally really like this new direction and hope to see more of it!
While many reviewers seem disappointed that this wasn’t the same as the last book (complaints that there’s more storytelling and the pretense of it being a guidebook isn’t as strong) I think this is mostly a case of people surprised that the book wasn’t quite what they expected it would be based on the first. I personally really like this new direction and hope to see more of it!
October 31, 2024
A masterpiece that delves into identity and acceptance of mortality.
Gorgeous art, and in somethings excels the original
Gorgeous art, and in somethings excels the original
January 21, 2024
Lacan edition 🪞
March 21, 2024
I hadn't even finished the first one, which I have previously praised, when I just ran to buy this second volume once I heard of its existence. Again, amazing art and concepts drawing inspiration from certain videogame artstyles (dungeon crawlers, conversational adventures...) but I think it also tries to adopt a more straightforward narrative, veering further from the more official guide style we saw in the first volume. Nothing to complain about the decision itself... but I think it just doesn't work as well as that first book did.
There's a certain loss of that game guide feels while it doesn't feel as a comic book of the adventures of this enigmatic Wayfarer but also, the dark and mysterious narrative can get rather murky here and it certainly doesn't help. All in all, I don't know if Plastiboo wanted to aim for something different and taking the risk didn't completely pay off but I'm still a devotee of the faith of Vermis and I'll count the days for a third volume.
There's a certain loss of that game guide feels while it doesn't feel as a comic book of the adventures of this enigmatic Wayfarer but also, the dark and mysterious narrative can get rather murky here and it certainly doesn't help. All in all, I don't know if Plastiboo wanted to aim for something different and taking the risk didn't completely pay off but I'm still a devotee of the faith of Vermis and I'll count the days for a third volume.
August 7, 2024
So to preface this, Vermis 2 maintains the incredible artwork and world-building that the first volume introduced. There are two simple reasons that I believe the first volume is stronger:
First, the perspective shift from First-person to Third. While the original volume made me feel like I was walking through my own Dark Souls playthrough, Vermis 2 made me feel like I was watching someone else play through it. Not an awful choice, but it leads into the second item
There is a lesser focus here on maintaining the video game facade. Vermis 2 does benefit from a more coherent narrative throughout, but I enjoyed the fake video game aspect a TON. I will say some sections do swing back to that original direction, but they are sporadic.
Overall, this book is awesome for anyone that enjoys dark fantasy and video games in general.
First, the perspective shift from First-person to Third. While the original volume made me feel like I was walking through my own Dark Souls playthrough, Vermis 2 made me feel like I was watching someone else play through it. Not an awful choice, but it leads into the second item
There is a lesser focus here on maintaining the video game facade. Vermis 2 does benefit from a more coherent narrative throughout, but I enjoyed the fake video game aspect a TON. I will say some sections do swing back to that original direction, but they are sporadic.
Overall, this book is awesome for anyone that enjoys dark fantasy and video games in general.
May 29, 2024
just as stunning as the first vermis book and developing the world even more
unfortunately i have 2 issues with this book, the first one being that its a different height and width to the first one, which is entirely a shelf aesthetic issue and doesn't detract from the art or story in the slightest, but it does frustrate me somewhat :']
the second is that, while the first book feels more like an actual long lost game strategy guide, this one is definitely more of a narrative. it follows a singular character, not us the reader, and in a way i felt like it detracted from some of the horror that id otherwise feel while reading
these are only minor issues, and i still greatly enjoyed this one, however i still prefer the first book by a mile :]
unfortunately i have 2 issues with this book, the first one being that its a different height and width to the first one, which is entirely a shelf aesthetic issue and doesn't detract from the art or story in the slightest, but it does frustrate me somewhat :']
the second is that, while the first book feels more like an actual long lost game strategy guide, this one is definitely more of a narrative. it follows a singular character, not us the reader, and in a way i felt like it detracted from some of the horror that id otherwise feel while reading
these are only minor issues, and i still greatly enjoyed this one, however i still prefer the first book by a mile :]
January 23, 2024
This is basically the same deal as the first Vermis, but imo it's worse. The first book felt like a video game guide that was weirdly vague and unhelpful at times, but this one is like. idk. i can't even figure out what the game portion of this one would be. it feels like it can't decide if its a fake video game guide or more of a graphic novel, which is probably in part bc the fake game Vermis II seems to have more of a linear story than the first, but it leads to the thing being a bit confused. The art is still great, and the snippets of worldbuilding and disconnected info are all still really cool, but it's not doing it for me in the same way as the original
May 14, 2024
Loved the way this volume expounded on some of the minor tidbits of lore found in the first book. I was really fascinated by the way it plays with identity of the protagonist. My one issue is that the atmosphere of the book didn’t quite hit as hard as the first one. At times it felt like the lore took precedence over the protagonist’s journey, and one of the things I liked the most about Vermis I is that it ultimately centered on the hero’s journey, occasionally giving glimpses into the darkness of the world they inhabit. Overall still a great book filled with fantastic art (as expected), and I hope that the story of Vermis can continue, even for just one more volume.
April 13, 2024
Bigger and bolder to its slight detriment :( gone are the mysterious janky italian to english translations. This is a wordier journey with more of an attempt at a straightforward narrative. Unfortunately it's a half commitment which ends up making certain sections a bit taxing to read. I still think this concept holds an amazing traditional story that can be told one day, this just isn't it.
And that's totally fine. This is still gorgeous, chilling, delightfully gothic and liminal, a feast of pixels and lore and rust and blood. I will gladly slop up another five of these things, thank you
And that's totally fine. This is still gorgeous, chilling, delightfully gothic and liminal, a feast of pixels and lore and rust and blood. I will gladly slop up another five of these things, thank you
May 11, 2024
I had to use all the willpower I could muster to not read Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 back to back… I was able to wait one day before opening up this one after the first one.
I can’t say if I liked this one better than the first one, but this one reminded me a lot about the Nausicaä manga with all of it’s apocalyptic desert imagery. The Nausicaä manga is one of my favorites, so although I love the forest/swamp setting from the first volume, I really liked the setting in this one as well.
The art is magnificent and the story is very intriguing. I highly recommend Vermis to all eldritch horror fans!
I can’t say if I liked this one better than the first one, but this one reminded me a lot about the Nausicaä manga with all of it’s apocalyptic desert imagery. The Nausicaä manga is one of my favorites, so although I love the forest/swamp setting from the first volume, I really liked the setting in this one as well.
The art is magnificent and the story is very intriguing. I highly recommend Vermis to all eldritch horror fans!
June 25, 2024
While it's not a true "guide book" like the first Vermis, Vermis II: Mist & Mirrors is still a fantastic entry in the series.
Vermis II manages to improve upon the immaculate aesthetics and writing of Vermis I, and is nearly 50 pages longer. The graphic design and page composition seems to be more varied as well.
Despite being more of a standard graphic novel than a strategy guide for a retro video game (which is what made the first Vermis so unique and memorable), Vermis II is an atmospheric dark fantasy masterpiece.
Vermis II manages to improve upon the immaculate aesthetics and writing of Vermis I, and is nearly 50 pages longer. The graphic design and page composition seems to be more varied as well.
Despite being more of a standard graphic novel than a strategy guide for a retro video game (which is what made the first Vermis so unique and memorable), Vermis II is an atmospheric dark fantasy masterpiece.
June 27, 2024
Vermis II is a more of a straight forward book that the first, and I think that makes it worse.
Where the first book and it's video game elements inspired me to imagine a video game world around the scraps provided, Vermis II provides a whole plot and many scenes as is. It just doesn't provoke the imagination in the same way, but also doesn't provide enough in the way of character or ideas to chew on.
The art and aesthetic is still great.
Vermis was art by obfuscation and subtraction.
Vermis II is art by addition, but not enough of it.
I look forward to the author's next work.
Where the first book and it's video game elements inspired me to imagine a video game world around the scraps provided, Vermis II provides a whole plot and many scenes as is. It just doesn't provoke the imagination in the same way, but also doesn't provide enough in the way of character or ideas to chew on.
The art and aesthetic is still great.
Vermis was art by obfuscation and subtraction.
Vermis II is art by addition, but not enough of it.
I look forward to the author's next work.
January 2, 2024
The character-centered present tense writing creates more of a narrative than what was found in Vermis 1, which makes this seem somewhat less like a strategy guide for a lost video game. For better or (in my opinion) for worse. But otherwise, it's more Vermis, and probably more consistently imaginative than the first. Still occasionally uneven, but a unique "reading" experience that makes me long for such games, a hiraeth of gaming.
January 31, 2024
When I began I thought that perhaps the well had run dry but I finished liking this perhaps more than the first. It has more of an illusion of story. Feels like a memory or a dream about a very intense computer game played intensively through the summer of some early teenage year, the kind of relentless play I can't manage any more, until the shape, form and aesthetic of the game become a suprareal armature for the subconsious.
October 23, 2024
Did not enjoy this one as much as the first. It’s apparent that the author attempted to build upon the lore of the world but this one is less “guide for a game that never was” and is more of a narrative adventure, and the author really struggled with that. Whatever complaints people had about the first book should actually be directed at this one instead of the first. The art though is top tier. Worth the buy only for the deepest of fantasy fans.
January 22, 2024
Tight and eerie narrative paired with imagery that maybe is even more haunting than "Vermis I"
But together they both didn't resonate as well as in the first volume, maybe owing a lot to the shift from the second person perspective to the third person, which took some of the "lost game"/dungeon walkthrough of the previous book.
Even so, a wonderful mix of dark fantasy/lofi/pixel art.
But together they both didn't resonate as well as in the first volume, maybe owing a lot to the shift from the second person perspective to the third person, which took some of the "lost game"/dungeon walkthrough of the previous book.
Even so, a wonderful mix of dark fantasy/lofi/pixel art.
August 29, 2024
I liked this one more than Vermis I (which I loved.) a lot of people enjoy the original guidebook format but I really appreciated this books commitment to a more character based focus and how the world of mirrors unfolds. The ending is so well executed and the art is a bit more colorful and distinctly formed compared to the first. Yet another unique and wonderful experience from plastiboo
December 31, 2023
Another deliciously dank dive into a world of dark deities, deceptive dungeons, and doomed desperados! I didn’t anticipate anything beating out the first installment, but this felt more expansive and immersive than the last book, as wonderful as Vermis 1 was. :)
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
May 24, 2024
Un peu dommage d'avoir perdu la narration à la deuxième personne qui donne moins l'impression d'un jeu vidéo comme le premier, mais l'histoire est plus aboutie et c'est toujours aussi joli avec un univers incroyable.
October 30, 2024
The art was incredible as always, Plastiboo will forever be my favorite horror artist. I always read this series while listening to Dungeonsynth music. Some parts felt repetitive, but there were also very creative and ominous parts. I'm very excited to read Godhusk!
January 5, 2024
Vermis 2 was a f*cking banger. Better than the first. If you grew up reading video game manuals imagining a game that never existed this is the book series for you. Trade your valuables for them.
January 29, 2024
L'aspetto ludico e l'impostazione da finta guida vengono un po' meno a favore di una maggiore attenzione all'aspetto narrativo, a me questo l'ha fatto apprezzare anche più di Vermis.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews