In VERGE #2, available from Red 5 Comics on October 20th, 2021, Det. Connie Liu comes face-to-face with Jack Curious within the Verge. In exchange for her freedom, Det. Liu must tell Jack her story.
The Details
- Written By: Bryce McLellan
- Art By: Sylvio dB
- Colors By: Louie Joyce
- Letters By: Sean Rinehart
- Cover Art By: Dexter Wee
- Cover Price: $3.95
- Release Date: October 20, 2021
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Was It Good?
Okay, I’m intrigued. We praised the first issue for its unique take on time travel wrapped in a murder mystery through the lens of a culture clash. The science-fiction elements are original, and the mysteries surrounding the murder, as well as the nature of the Verge, are fairly compelling. What I like most about this issue is the natural way it answers some questions from the first issue while simultaneously introducing new mysteries to keep the reader engaged.
The big takeaway here is how well McLellan dumps a LOT of information on the reader, but it’s paired so well with the action from Sylvio dB that you don’t feel like you’re reading a scientific thesis or boring memoir. This issue is an excellent example of words and art working together to communicate a story.
Speaking of art, it’s very good. The only fantastical element is the depiction of the Verge and you don’t get a good look at it except within a couple of panels, so the art is entirely focused on people and costumes. The characters are well done, each with a distinctive look that you could pick out of a crowd. But where the art excels is in terms of unique costume designs. Vikings in modern-day New York would, of course, mix casual wear with their armor to come up with some bizarrely original yet oddly familiar looks. What self-respecting Viking wouldn’t trade up his leather boots for standard-issue US Army boots or sneakers for running comfort?
The second high point in the art goes to Louie Joyce’s coloring. There’s a lot of timeline hopping to tell pieces of this story, and Joyce uses the colors to set the mood, especially the flashbacks, to great effect. The linework is average, but Joyce’s coloring elevates the visuals.
In all, the sophomore issue in this series keeps up the momentum and intrigue, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Before you dive right in, check out our VERGE #1 review first to get caught up.
When last we left Det. Connie Liu, she had been kidnapped. When she woke up, the only person present was the wanted criminal, Jack Curious. He explained they were in what he called the Verge, a nexus of infinite moments in time.
Curious knew Liu was not who she said she was, and he makes a simple offer – explain her story and he’ll send her back home. Liu tells the story of her childhood growing up in feudal Japan when Genghis Khan’s forces ravaged her country. Escaping certain death with the remains of her family and villagers, they made their way to a mountain temple containing a rift to present-day NY. Her story confirms that the Verge is not the only instance of time travel. Liu secretly integrated into modern life, keeping her true identity a secret.
Curious keeps his word and pushes Liu through a portal before she can arrest him. She arrives back on the dock where she first appeared to find other officers on the scene treating her injured partner. After examining the murder scene, the police confirm a local Viking tribe is responsible. We conclude the issue with a violent mead hall raid, an arrest that looks too good to be true, and an escalating riot.
Final Thoughts
VERGE #2 continues the mystery and intrigue by answering some questions while asking others. McLellan’s writing integrates seamlessly with the art to give readers a lot of information to hold the readers’ attention without slowing the pace. The art excels in terms of unique costume designs, blending classic garb with modern accessories, and the coloring elevates the average linework.
Score: 8.5/10
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