Liked it lots. Some of the story telling fell off for me in this lot. But it was still cool. Love Cassie. 4 and a half stars. ( )

Although it doesn't offer much more than what was in the first volume, Hack/Slash is still an enjoyable read. The relationship between Cassie and Vlad continues to be the book's strongest selling point (aside from sex, of course), and the introduction of a potential third wheel in the form of Georgia is handled quite well. By keeping her separate from Cassie and Vlad, the comic manages to turn her into a constant undercurrent of tension between the two without having to force the issue.

The return of Cassie's parents seemed inevitable, but again, the pacing and development of that story kept it from seeming excessively forced. Were I familiar with the Re-animator movies, I might have gotten more out of it.

The only thing I really don't care for are the recurring appearances of Cassie's friends in Indiana (whose names I can't be bothered to look up). They don't really add anything to the story aside from a slightly more plausible explanation for how Cassie learns about potential slashers (which really isn't necessary). Aside from that, however, their story doesn't really seem to fit in the book outside of the possibility that they'll be future friends-in-trouble bait in a later story arc. ( )