Review: Skybreaker #2
What I really like about this series is that you can see all of the cogs in place moving, but even though you know what’s there you still have no idea what’s coming and that’s what’s so entertaining. There are very few Western’s in comics, which is a damn shame since it’s a genre that has a rich history in the medium. If executed properly is an easy sell, at least to anyone that’s looking for a good story. I’ll be clear right now, Skybreaker is an easy sell.
The story kicks off with the main character the self-dubbed “Skybreaker” as his life flashes before his eyes and thus walks the reader through his past ever so briefly. In the present he’s laid out bleeding and asks for the man that’s helping him to tell a woman named Talutah that he didn’t mean for any of it to happen, but the man tells him to say it himself as he begins working on the bullet hole in his gut.
The story then skips over to a character named Barek who’s buying some supplies when three soldiers roll into the general store. They know one another and one soldier tells Barek that his presence has been requested by General Taylor dead or alive style. A shoot out ensues and Barek makes quick work of the men, but leaves the chatty one alive likely so he can report back to the General.
The story continues from there, but it’s far too good to spoil for you. The third act is definitely the pick of the litter though. The opening was a little awkward and while I got what was going on, it wasn’t as stunning as I expected compared to how the last issue began. The writing is still very good and the dialog is top notch. It’s believable and builds the different characters with each page. Frankly, there are a couple of characters I’m hoping catch a bullet at some point in the series.
I was really sold on the black & white in the last issue, but after seeing the amazing cover for this issue I’m curious to see it colored. Since that’s not going to happen though, the art is still very enjoyable and the right fit for the series. There’s a decent amount of action in this issue which is nice and entertaining, but there is also a variety of settings and additional one-off characters that Zucker handles very well.
You shouldn’t be surprised by how good this issue is, especially not after the first one. I’m looking forward to seeing it continue as I was very pleased with the developing plots within this issue. Again, you can see all the cogs in play, but the larger machine has yet to be revealed. You can bet that I’ll be here to check it out when it is and in the meantime pick up this issue and the first if you missed it.
Score: 4/5
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Drew Zucker
Publisher: Monkey Brain Comics
Price: $ .99
Release Date: 5/1/13