By Garrett Hanneken
The second issue of a comic is usually a pretty important one. The reason being is because if you are reading the second issue, then you decided to continue with the story, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are hooked. Which begs the question if the second issue of The Terrifics is able to hook the reader or not.
The issue begins where the first left off, with the discovery of a distress beacon from Tom Strong in the dark multiverse. We still have our unofficial team composed of Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, Metamorpho, and Phantom Girl. The main focus of the issue is the quartet interacting with one another as they learn how Phantom Girl got stuck on a giant corpse floating in space. As we learn about Phantom Girl, we also learn about the other characters through their voices and actions. With The Terrifics being a team book the issue allows the reader to easily differentiate between each character and their corresponding roles.
Writer Jeff Lemire gives a personal voice to each member as we see the team work together when the giant floating corpse awakens. It becomes clear that Mister Terrific is trying to play the leader as he gives orders, Metamorpho is the muscle of the group while also a gentle giant as he shows sympathy, Phantom Girl seems to be the outsider as she is not from the same world as the other heroes, and Plastic Man is easily the comedic relief while also proving to be a versatile attribute with his shapeshifting abilities. It is important to give each character a role and I believe Lemire will continue to do this throughout his story.
Not only is each character given their own voice, but the art reinforces their personalities. We see Mister Terrific throughout the comic with a stern confident face, Metamorpho may have a hulking body, but we see his empathetic features when he tries to comfort Phantom Girl and her forlorn body gestures, and then we see Plastic Man’s goofy facial expressions and body movements.
Both the art and dialogue advance the team as we become fond of each character. However, the issue fails in respect to story substance. The issue felt a bit short as the characters make their way out of the dark multiverse and then next thing I know it is over. Luckily, the issue ended on an interesting note as we discover that the characters are bonded to one another due to their time spent trying to take the probe off of Tom Strong’s distress signal.
With that said, this comic still has me hooked and although I enjoyed the character moments, I wish the issue lasted longer.
SCORE: 4/5
The Terrifics #2
DC Comics