ROOK: EXODUS #2, by Image Comics on 5/22/24, makes Rook’s situation more “dire” when Dire Wolf arrives with bad news and Ursaw arrives to inflict pain.
Credits:
- Writer: Geoff Johns
- Artist: Jason Fabok
- Colorist: Brad Anderson
- Letterer: Rob Leigh
- Cover Artist: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics, Ghost Machine
- Release Date: May 22, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of ROOK: EXODUS #2:
Plot Analysis:
I’m still not sure I fully understand how Rook and his situation came about, but now that we’re in it and a little more grounded, you can feel yourself getting pulled in. That’s the primal power of ROOK: EXODUS #2 from Geoff Johns.
When last we left Rook in issue #1, readers received a loose introduction to a desperate situation already in progress. The world of Exodus is falling apart, and the rich or connected have already left. Those who remain fight to survive or scrounge for parts to build their escape rocket. Rook fell into the latter category and intended to bring his friend Swine along with him, but Swine met an untimely end at the claws of Ursaw and his overgrown bears.
In ROOK: EXODUS #2, we begin with a brief prologue introducing a warden called Dire Wolf, who finds Swine’s remains and what’s left of his camp. We learn later that Dire Wolf was responsible for training new Wardens before Exodus fell, and she’s a staunch advocate for fighting for their new home rather than fleeing.
Elsewhere, Rook sits in a small boat near another failed rocket crash site. The wreckage contains the last part he needs to complete his rocket and flee, but he won’t leave without Swine. Suddenly, his boat is attacked by a massive turtle. Rook leaps into the water to avoid becoming turtle food, retrieves the part, and frantically swims back to shore.
The turtle follows Rook, so he activates a remote sensor to activate his transport and sends it crashing into the turtle’s head.
Later, Rook drinks his stress away while waiting for Swine to return so they can leave on his completed rocket. Dire Wolf unexpectedly shows up to deliver the bad news – Swine is dead. She tries to convince Rook to stay and fight for his new home, but Rook believes Better-World is never coming back to repair the world engine.
Before their argument gets heated, an explosion rocks the streets nearby. Ursaw has arrived with his giant bears to kill and destroy. Rook urges Dire Wolf to leave now in the rocket. Dire Wolf urges Rook to fight. The fight is settled when Ursaw launches an RPG that destroys Rook’s rocket. Dire Wolf and Rook find an avenue of escape, but the quest for revenge has begun.
Character Development:
As the title suggests, this issue continues Rook’s story, but all eyes are on Dire Wolf to add context to Rook’s life before the downfall and act as a counterpoint to Rook’s single-minded quest to escape. Ursaw is the clear villain of the story, so it’s up to Dire Wolf, as the Warden expert, to guide Rook’s actions next. Plus, wolves are cool.
Artwork and Presentation:
Jason Fabok’s artwork is shockingly detailed for a $3.99 comic and *Chef’s Kiss* is gorgeous. As you can see from the preview pages below, this is Grade-A, high-quality, untouchable levels of art, so you’re getting your money’s worth for the cover price on visuals alone. Bonus points to Brad Anderson for the spectacular coloring.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Geoff Johns delivers a masterclass in pacing as Rook’s goal to escape becomes increasingly urgent. You can feel his anxiousness over Swine’s absence escalate with each page until the final battle with Ursaw destroys his hopes.
In terms of structure, the story takes shape through the energy and emotions of the players involved. We still don’t know why people are made Wardens, what a world engine does, why it failed and the implications thereof, or why Exodus was abandoned by Better-World. There’s a constant sense that you’re missing big chunks of the story, but at least you’re enjoying the comic in the moment.
Thematic Exploration:
Thematically, the story starts off in one direction and ends in another. Continuing from the first issue, Rook is laser-focused on survival by doing anything and everything to escape Exodus. Now, the story shifts to a simple revenge tale in its purest form.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Readers who’ve enjoyed the other Ghost Machine titles, such as Redcoat and Geiger, may wonder how Rook: Exodus fits into their interconnected story. For now, it doesn’t. There’s a hint in some of the Ghost Machine press information that timelines may converge at some future point, but there’s no connection for now.
Final Thoughts:
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ROOK: EXODUS #2 cranks up the emotion, drama, and action for a desperate tale of survival that evolves into a primal tale of revenge. Geoff Johns gives you oodles of action and drama in equal measure, albeit sorely lacking in the background details, and Jason Fabok’s art is next level.
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