By Cat Wyatt

If you loved the psychedelic artwork of the first issue of Prism Stalker, then you’ll be happy to hear about the release of the second issue! In the last issue of Prism Stalker, we got to see Vep travel around in her colony, only to find out at the end that she was forcibly relocated because her controllers think she may be a good fit on Eriatarka.

This issue starts off with Vep waking up inside a pod; my assumption is this is the organic version of a cryopod; something that would make longer space travel safer for weaker organic life forms such as Vep. Still, seeing tentacle-like things coming out of Vep’s nose and mouth was pretty disturbing, even knowing that they were likely what was keeping her alive. Just…uck.

Vep seems relatively calm about the whole process. In fact, she’s showing more of a reaction to her first sighting of Sveramad (what had been her home for ages; the place her family still resides) from a distance than what she just went through, so I’m guessing this is nothing new. Vep can still feel the connection to her family…but it’s very weak and muted. I hope she doesn’t end up losing the tie altogether, though maybe that would be best for her in the long run. It’s hard to be sure.

Vep is currently traveling inside a Therassen; it sort of looks like a large teal space squid, though that description truly doesn’t do it justice. Here she is transported to a general location, where other travelers are being kept. Apparently they’ll all be secured here, so they can safely make it to Eriatarka. She seemed rather calm about the news about being ‘secured’ so either Vep is rather dazed still, or this is again not a big deal for her. I’m not really sure which one is more likely to be the truth.

In the chamber with the others it quickly becomes apparent that there are multiple species being involved with this project, and the perceived bias towards bipeds (I don’t think I would have picked up on this, had one of the others not complained about it). There’s some fighting for dominance going on (or at least that is what I assume is occurring), which Vep finds herself in the middle of. Mostly because she won’t tolerate witnessing any bullying, which I respect.

Still, it’s interesting that Vep felt compelled to interfere, considering she appears to be one of the smallest and weakest of the group. While she may have teeth, they’re human teeth, and nothing compared to some of the claws and teeth being shown around this chamber. I guess that just goes to show just how brave Vep is (or stubborn).

When it comes time for Vep and the other travelers to get secured…well, things get a bit weird. It would appear that the Therassen literally absorbs them all. Which is an interesting concept, to say the least. You know all of those debates about teleportation, and how you can’t really prove if you’re the original you when you arrive at your destination? I feel like all of those concerns could apply here.

Though unlike teleportation, Vep appears to be fully conscious during her trip, receiving transmissions and thoughts from the Therassen, as well as being able to see and experience the same events simultaneously. Ironically this experience helps Vep better understand the mother of the colony she had once lived inside; why they exported their own eggs, as well as doing everything else they needed to survive.

Seeing Vep forming back into her own body was certainly an interesting sight. I personally loved the way the artist chose to represent it; it was evocative but not graphic, a difficult task considering what we were being shown.

This is the first time in who knows how long that Vep has been on actual land, as opposed to residing inside a colony. What an interesting (and possibly depressing) experience this must be for her. Though it likely just further reminded her of how far away she was from her home and family.

Immediately upon their arrival all of the travelers (minus one not healthy enough to continue) are rushed off to the academy, where they will be tested for their compatibility with this new home. The tests aren’t exactly grueling…but they’re not comfortable either. Actually, they seem pretty disturbing, on the whole. I personally would hope never to have to deal with something like that, but that’s just my personal preference.

Seeing this world gives Vep hope, perhaps this place could become her family’s new home. They are refugees after all, so their eventual goal would be to find a place of their own. I certainly don’t blame her for harboring that hope; I just hope it doesn’t end up getting her hurt.

It’ll be interesting to see how Vep fits in with this new structure. She certainly isn’t the only humanoid here, but she’s not one of many either. I wonder what use they’ll have for her, what potential they saw in her. Truly, I’m curious about everything that has to do with this world, both the planet itself and the story as a whole.

I love the bright, psychedelic colors used for this series. It really does suit the story being told, and it certainly wouldn’t fit with something more mundane. I hope we get to see more of the academy; I’m leaning towards it being an organic form as well, but I’m not entirely certain of that either. I’d love to see more of how they chose to represent it.

Score: 4/5

Prism Stalker #2
Image Comics