Star-Crossed #2 Review – Mercenary Madness and Mortal Maladies

Star-Crossed #2 (Dark Horse Comics, 8/26/26): Writer Mark Millar & Artist Corrado Mastantuono send Sharkey and Extra-Billy to visit Sharey’s father, while Cody and Thena share unfortunate health news. This second issue brings the hunted a wee bit closer together, even if it takes the scenic route to get there. Verdict: A breezy issue that’s light on drama.

• Writer: Mark Millar
• Artist: Corrado Mastantuono
• Colorist: Corrado Mastantuono, Niso Mastantuono
• Letterer: Clem Robins
• Cover Artist: Stuart Immonen, Giovanna Niro (cover A)
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Release Date: August 26, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Star-Crossed #2:

First Impressions:

I like the world, characters, charm, and tone of this sophomore issue, primarily due to the personality of the characters. That said, the lack of punch leaves me a little cold.

Recap:

In Star-Crossed #1, the issue began with the Queen of Enough ruthlessly punishing her daughter, the Princess of Most, for allowing the thieves Cody Blue and Thena Khole to escape, and ordered her men to capture them. Meanwhile, Cody and Thena enjoyed their stolen wealth among the rich and gluttonous until a team of mercenaries interrupted their night out, forcing them to barely escape. Elsewhere, Mr. Sharkey and his sidekick, Extra-Billy, waited near a dying Sun, convinced that his sixth sense had led them to the biggest payday of their lives.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

The issue begins with Sharkey and Extra-Billy paying a visit to Sharkey’s father, who lives on a world where the artificially run Sun is about to be shut down due to expense. Most of the able-bodied have left to find work elsewhere. Only the sick, poor, and elderly remain. When Sharkey is ambushed by a rival pair of mercenaries intent on stealing his latest bounty, the visit turns into chaos. After the mess is cleaned up, Sharkey gets a psychic vision of Thena and Cody’s location.

Elsewhere, a pair of soldiers beholden to the Queen of Enough enter a seedy gambling bar. Using a strange psychic ability, they switch bodies with two thugs with enough cash and resources to track down Cody and Thena.

Meanwhile, Cody and Thena arrive on a sunny world where many of their safehouses are guarded and stocked. Cody breaks down in tears when she divulges she has a deadly disease that she contracted from eating infected meat. Thena realizes she has the same disease, so the friends agree to live their remaining months to the hilt.

How is the story in Star-Crossed #2?

Mark Millar’s very loose chase story has all the right ingredients to get you engaged. You have whimsical space settings, colorful characters, and surprising moments. However, can you really call it a chase story when the prey doesn’t know they’re being hunted?

Therein lies the downside that goes with the positives. Everyone and everything is colorfully interesting, but the journey and plot don’t have any sense of urgency or stakes. With the revelation that Cody and Thena are dying, does it even matter if they get caught? With those questions in mind, Millar has painted himself into a drama-less corner.

How is the art in Star-Crossed #2?

The artwork from Corrado Mastantuono is what makes this galactic journey worth the trip. Mastantuono’s eclectic mix of neo-80s-inspired costumes, ships, and locales is a treat to behold. The linework is deceptively refined and detailed, giving you the impression that everything looks simple when it probably took days worth of work on every page.

What makes the art all the more interesting is Corrado Mastantuono’s composition style, which reminds you of adult-themed comic strips like Modesty Blaise and Brenda Starr, which hits the nostalgia button perfectly.

Characters

Millar’s character work splits on two fronts, on two levels. Sharkey and Extra-Billy are all about the action. You learn about Sharkey’s heart and history through the sweet treatment of his father, which gives a good handle on his moral compass. By contrast, Cody and Thena expose their hearts to each other through the mutual understanding that they’re both dying, giving the issue some emotional weight. That’s all positive, but admittedly, Thena and Cody’s grief would hit harder if we had more time to get to know them better.

Originality & Concept Execution

Beyond the retro sci-fi aesthetic and despite the criticisms of the plot, the concept feels largely fresh and original. At this point, it’s impossible to predict where the story is headed, so readers who buy into the tale will have more to keep them going in this issue.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Fantastic art
• Thoroughly charming characters
• Intriguing surprises

Room for Improvement

• The issue lacks dramatic teeth
• The plot meanders a bit too much
• Cody’s revelation doesn’t hit as hard as it should

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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Star-Crossed #2 sends Sharkey and Extra-Billy on a side quest, while Cody and Thena wrestle with mortality. Mark Millar’s script brims with charming characters and eclectic worlds, but the forward momentum of the tale could use a little more gusto.

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