Comic Review: Space Bandits #2

Space Bandits #2

Image Comics

Writer: Mark Millar

Artist: Matteo Scalera

Mark Millar’s newest story of Space Bandits features two women, Cody Blue and Thena Cole, who are both criminals on a risky mission to get revenge. The cover art for this series gave me outrun vibes and initially had me so excited because I love heists, space, the 80s, and a female lead. My original excitement faded a bit after reading, but the story still has the potential to become great.

Artist Matteo Scalera does an amazing job with Millar’s many characters, styles, and settings. Matteo uses thin lines, faded backgrounds, and tons of detail, which makes his panels rather busy. Although it’s not MY favorite style, it works for this story, and there were several panels in both the first installment and this issue that completely blew me away. My favorite panel by far was on the last page of this issue where Scalera gives us some Quentin Tarantino-style bloodshed. I hope in the future we can see more of that and more two-color panels of just red and white. It’s simple, but it made these panels really pop.

For the past few years, our culture has gone through a major 80s phase. One of the biggest testaments to this is the fact that our favorite shows and video games feature 80s art and culture. Netflix’s Stranger Things, the Black Mirror episode San Junipero, and games like Rocket League have all helped create and maintain this 80s obsession. With Space Bandits also being part of Netflix, it’s no surprise they’re also trying to capitalize on the 80s hype train. Unfortunately, this comic doesn’t always nail it. I love how Millar incorporated 80s fashion and used celebrity names like Molly Ringwald and Lionel Richie in various places, but the overall tone of the series does not carry the 80s vibe. The fashion and celebrity name dropping just come across as plug-ins, which feels forced.

We’re only in the second issue of the series and already so much has happened. It’s been so much that it feels incredibly rushed. I’m anxious to see where the story goes after such a quick start. If Millar and his team can maintain this pace, it could be a thrilling journey. Millar is beyond experienced, so I fully expect him to have a lot planned if he’s already introduced so much in this early stage.

I’m intrigued by both leading ladies but especially by Cody Blue. She’s smart, never gets her hands dirty, and seems to have a heart for someone with such a deep criminal background. I love the connection she has with her lizard Cosmo, who she shares a telepathic link with, and how she so easily becomes the alpha in every group situation she’s in. Thena Cole is a superior fighter, but her flaw seems to be how easily she’s convinced to do others’ dirty work. She has phenomenal fashion sense, and Maratto depicts her as confident in the physical realm and confused otherwise. I’ll be interested to see how Millar cultivates the relationship between Cole and Blue throughout the series.

Cole and Blue have three objectives and are well on their way to accomplishing those at the end of this issue. So far this series seems like it could be fun, but I’m not emotionally invested yet. I’d like to see more character development and emotion in the upcoming issues.