Review – Skybourne #2 (of 5) (BOOM! Studios)

Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer/Art: Frank Cho
Colours: Marcio Menyz
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Release Date: 26th October, 2016

If you read issue one, then you will know that it was Frank Cho at his finest, beautifully drawn with some pretty damn good action. You’ll also know that it didn’t answer very many questions. So, does issue two help you out on the answer front? Well yes, it actually does, but still leaves plenty in the “to be continued” pile.

In this issue we meet Thomas Skybourne and Swiggy, the priest who comes to tell him of his immortal sister Grace’s death. We learn of the organisation that she worked for and that Thomas left behind almost three decades previously. It’s a truly interesting tale for sure.

Where issue one was action heavy, dialogue light, this second installment is the other way around, but it doesn’t suffer for it. Most of the exposition is done with snappy dialogue between Thomas and Swiggy as they catch up on 29 years of absence, and Cho deftly avoids many of the pitfalls of a dialogue-heavy second issue by keeping the chat natural and fluid throughout.

As for the art, well… it’s Frank Cho. ‘Nuff said.

I built this book up quite strongly when I reviewed the first issue, and I gave it 5 stars. That was for an action-heavy beast of a debut. This is a more reflective and dialogue driven follow up, and it’s no less impactful or impressive because of that. I always knew that Cho could draw a pretty picture or two. Now I’m beginning to understand that he has a fine touch for what goes inside the speech bubbles too. And not a wench in sight to make me twitch either (please see my review of the first issue review).

I’m absolutely delighted that Cho has managed to keep the considerable momentum going from the first issue whilst slowing the pace of delivery. You can count me in for the rest of this series, that’s for sure.

Rating: 5/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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