What really impressed me about the first issue of Cyrus Perkins is that, and yes this is a spoiler if you didn’t read the first issue, the concept of the series didn’t play out until the last page. The concept if you didn’t figure it out from the cover and the title, is that a kid that died in Cyrus’ cab is now haunting it. It was the perfect lead up because it left you wanting more, but it didn’t feel like a cheap cliffhanger. What’s even better is this issue. Seriously. Because we don’t just pick up from that scene. Instead we move forward a bit. Cyrus isn’t as shocked anymore. He’s talking with Michael and that’s who kicks off the issue. Michael.
He tells us that he doesn’t remember his life and that he basically only remembers Cyrus. He’s apparently tethered to the car and can’t leave it which leads Cyrus to think that he has to solve the kid’s murder to help him move on. From there we see Cyrus look into Michael’s life. We also see Michael begin to have fun because only Cyrus can see him. It’s a great bit of writing as Cyrus figures out how to engage in conversation with Michael and the person in the taxi at the same time. But like the first issue, things get serious as a man with a gun enters the car and Cyrus feels compelled to do something about the man… you could say he’s feeling compelled by a spirit.
Dave Dwonch’s pacing for this story is absolutely perfect. Anytime you can wrap a reader up in your story so much that they don’t realize the comic is coming to a close, that’s good thing. I got lost in this issue I was that emerged in the story. Dwonch creates a balance between the two characters. They each have a unique voice and their dynamic is used to balance each other out. Otherwise I liked the side events of this issue along with the incredibly strong narration. Particularly the last couple of pages had narration that you really want to pay attention to.
The art is a huge driving force for this series. Anna Lencioni is producing some visuals that are just perfect for the story. It really is the complete package. The writing is great and structured wonderfully, but it needs the art. The art is fantastic and being pushed to meet or beat the writing and so there’s this great back and forth where the end result is just a great comic on both fronts. Dwonch adds to the artwork with his coloring which definitely elevates the story and art.
It’s rare to have the second issue be better or in this case just shine a bit brighter than the first issue, but it does happen. This is the first example I can think of this year, but it happens. If you missed the first issue, then you should go back and grab it. This is actually a standout series this year and though it’s a mini-series I’m enjoying it and I’m glad that such a unique comic is being published. I’ll be back for more and in the meantime you should get caught up on what’s proving to be one of the best breakouts of 2015.
Score: 5/5
Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab #2 Writer/Letterer/Colorist: Dave Dwonch Artist/Tones: Anna Lencioni Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment Price: $3.99 Release Date: 11/25/15 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital