The Question: All Along the Watchtower #2 – Alex Segura, Writer; Cian Tormey, Artist; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: This book sort of slipped under the radar for a lot of people, but it actually seems like it’s going to be the second unofficial JLU book. While Waid and Mora are telling the huge-scale stories of the new League, Segura and Tormey are taking us into its underbelly as Renee Montoya runs the security team. That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of action here – this book is chaotic in the best way. When we last left off, Challenger of the Unknown Kenn Kawa was horribly wounded and on the brink of death. An investigation reveals that he was attacked by an alien leopard – who seems to have been released by Batwoman, captured on video. Now, in the DCU just because someone’s face is there doesn’t mean its them – but that still means Renee’s ex is suspect #1, and the confrontation that ensues between them is incredibly awkward and likely puts any reunion on the back burner.
But that’s just the start of what’s going on in this chaotic issue, as the Kryptonian intelligence known as the Eradicator has broken containment, stolen one of the League’s most powerful artifacts, and is getting ready to assimilate once again. Eradicator is one of Superman’s most unpredictable villains, frequently seesawing between uneasy ally and one of the hero’s deadliest enemies. Here, though, it doesn’t seem like he’s fully in control of himself and may playing into a larger plan – one that pulls in just about every division on the Watchtower. I love how many obscure deep cuts Segura is pulling in here, even giving Bulleteer her own division in the weapons department. This series makes the Watchtower seem positively huge, and that goes a long way towards creating a compelling story. And just like any mystery, the story is just ramping up and the suspect list is getting longer and longer.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
