NYX: No Way Home #2
Posted: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
By: Joey Davidson
Marjorie Liu
Kalman Andrasofski
Marvel Comics
Well, that was relatively badass. This issue of NYX comes in feeling much better than the first. While the initial issue felt loosely directed and a bit sporadic, the storyline in issue two reads tight and quick. The direction is distinct and clear from start to finish, and the entire issue reads well.
We pick up our four mutant societal castaways as they discover their apartment left in a bloody mess and their caregiver nowhere to be found. The story in the second issue is told through the eyes of Tatiana as she struggles with the presence of blood throughout the book. Her power as a mutant is to turn into any animal whose blood she comes in contact with: animals, people, anything alive. She touches the blood and, blam, she's changed. It's her mutant ability that puts one scenario into the realm of doubt; at the beginning of the issue her apartment is covered in blood. She walks around the entire dwelling, nothing happens. Why is it that she doesn't change then? I don't know. She does later as she touches someone else's blood. There she changes immediately.
The gang struggles with a rescue plan. Some want to rescue their pseudo-parent while others would rather make a clean getaway. The complications that arise between the members of this family throw into question the possibility that runaway mutants will always be alone, no matter how much company they keep. It's a strange concept, and it's one that will certainly drive this series to new points as these mutants fight obstacles to stay far away from lonely.
The art in the book is great. It's simplistic in shape but detailed in color and motion. The book carries with it a cartoon look with realistic vibes to deliver the world of a struggling child. While everyday interactions seem toony and light-hearted, intense and bloody moments come across as tense and paranoid. Plus, the costumes for the girls in the series look wonderful. They aren't the standard slutty fare; they are girls on the move and in the streets. Completely covered and unique, the look is urban and playful… I know it may be a silly thing to delve into when looking harder at a work, but the tone the costumes set for this story work to show the childishness within.
This issue is a nice point for new readers to jump-on. The first page provides an efficient recap of the story so far. The writing is good enough to hook you in, and the art will make you think twice about advancing pages. NYX: No Way Home has a bright future, and it's just starting.
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