Review – The Few #2 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Sean Lewis
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Release Date: 22nd February, 2017

I said in my review of issue one that it would be an injustice to The Few if you compared it to a generic Mad Max-type story. Boy was I right. The world opens out in this issue and we get to understand this environ a little better. I have to say I wasn’t expecting what writer Sean Lewis has delivered here. It turns out The Few, after two issues, is shaping up to be a dystopian revenge story with a political war theme.

I’m still trying to piece it all together, but from what I understand the world is setup like this; There is the Republic (also known as Palace) that evolved out the former US. Palace seems to have a ‘Big Brother’ system in place that measures people in term of worth. i.e. is this person’s contribution to society valuable enough that he (or she) will receive medical care? Then we have Herrod. You see, Palace used up the resources of what is now The Badlands for its own end. He blames the Republic for destroying his land and he and his followers have sworn revenge. Raised and forced to live in The Badlands where the air and water quality is poor he is a bit, well, insane I guess.

Finally there is the Remainder States (also known collectively – I think – as The Few). These are people who have left Palace and its totalitarian regime. Think of them as The Republic struggling against The Empire. Although to be honest I’m still not completely sure who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. All you have to understand is that Sean has delivered a huge dose of world-building awesomeness. I love this stuff. Add into this mix Private Hale, an agent for Palace sent to infiltrate The Few, a baby/McGuffin, and two brothers that just want to help, while not knowing they are being used. I repeat: I love this stuff, props to Sean Lewis.

The art continues to be impressive. There are several double page panels this issue that look great. The simplicity of the opening pages I thought were brilliant. The snow-covered Montana backdrop let’s Hayden Sherman use the white page as a backdrop. At first it can be a little strange to discern, but you soon adjust and it works well. I love his scratchy composition on the monochromatic background. His use of red is significant and helps to attract your eye to elements of the story that are relevant at that point. It’s a different style, and different in this case is most definitely a good thing.

I’m delighted that issue two has emboldened the potential that was hinted at in the debut of The Few. Leaking out elements of this survivalist future and slowly fleshing out this world has made issue two significant. This one will grab you and lock you in if you were perhaps a bit undecided before. It’s the type of story-telling I love, or at least it appears to be, and if the surprises keep on coming then who knows where The Few will end up! Regardless, I’m fully confident that this’ll be a fun journey.

Rating: 4/5.

If you want to find out more about THE FEW, make sure to check out our interview with series writer Sean Lewis by CLICKING HERE.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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