Comic Review: Sea of Stars #2

Sea of Stars #2

Image Comics

Writers: Jason Aaron and Dennis Hallum

Artists: Stephen Green and Rico Renzi

Sea of Stars #1 was a strong first issue. The premise has me hooked right from the get-go and the art was amazing. On top of that, the creative team screams potential. With the second issue, I was hoping to see some more character depth and overall direction. I’m hooked by the premise, but the second issue needs to keep reeling. Sea of Stars #2 is a fun issue with some outstanding art and character building.

To start with the issue’s strongest feature, Stephen Green’s art is killer. Green majorly contributes to the character and backstory of Gil that’s heavily showcased in this issue. His facial acting is so strong that it tends to lend a specificity of tone to Aaron and Hallum’s dialogue. The words are ink just on a page, but through Green’s storytelling, the feeling and weight behind those words reveal themselves. In the future, though I hope he adds more distinctive features to the locations that Gil visits, as so far he’s mostly stood on big space rocks. Well-drawn space rocks, but just space rocks nonetheless.

I also especially like the decision made by Rico Renzi to color space in pinks, purples and occasionally blues rather than the black we tend to expect. It gives the book a feeling of uniqueness. While space is already full of unknowns, the color pallet makes it feel even more foreign.

In terms of plot, there’s not really much progression in this issue. Gil fights some creatures and continues to search all of space for his son. On paper, that’s not a great sign. However, the real strength of it lies in what the book reveals about Gil’s character. It makes the story feel as if it’s progressing when really, we’re not much further than we were at the end of the last one. I don’t always need major twists and breakthroughs, as long as the journey to get there is compelling.

Kadyn’s character takes a back seat this time around, only appearing in a few pages towards the end. I suppose this was intentional, to allow the reader to feel what Gil is feeling. However, I really do want to get more of his side of things next time around. His strange new companions are, for the most part, what I actively want to see more of going forward. I mean, other than the obvious reuniting of father and son. That’s a more primal reason though because really, I’m more here for the space monkeys.

Sea of Stars #2 is another pretty fun issue. Stephen Green’s art is spectacular. Aaron and Hallum’s character work is expectedly effective. While I would like to see more plot progression next time, it didn’t bother me during the read. There’s just too much to enjoy.

At the end of the day, this is an inherently compelling tale of a father looking for his son. He soars out of his comfort zone and searches the vast unknown to find him. He faces so many obstacles but he never loses sight of that goal, no matter how afraid he is. What I’m saying is this; I really like Finding Nemo In Space.

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