The first issue of No/One got the series off to an intriguing start. Having a world were major events happened and you as the reader were getting invested into the story that is in the middle of happening was a risky choice. But it is a choice that paid off with the debut issue of No/One. There are a lot of questions not only for the title character but those closely tied to the mysterious character. How does the team of Kyle Higgings, Brian Buccellato, and Geraldo Borges follow-up? Find out with our advance review of No/One #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Brian Buccellato and Kyle Higgins
Artist: Geraldo Borges
Colorist: Mark Englert
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
SOLICITATION
“As the “Who is No/One” podcast begins to spark national interest, the eye of the public turns on Julia. And when yet another body shows up with four bullets in its chest, Ben’s investigation leads him to a personal crossroads—and a new suspect.” – Image Comics
REVIEW
Quickly the mystery of who is No/One and their motivation becomes about how it facilitates other events to happen. What makes the direction No/One #2 take work is that nothing is funneled through the perspective of one character. This isn’t a story just about the title character. Rather how Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato the events tied to the title character impact the choices that various characters make.
We get the best example of the choices characters must make with Ben Kern, the Assistant Chief of Operations for Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Julia, reporter at the Pittsburgh Ledger. No matter how respectable of a career he has being the father of the Accountability Killer, Aaron Kern, follows him. Even in following up the assassination attempt that No/One saved him at the end of first issue his son’s actions is what comes to mind to the public. Throughout No/One #2 Higgins and Buccellato make sure that every interaction Ben has gets you to understand the decision he ultimately makes. The decision made leaves you with wondering what it means for Ben’s part in the story next.
While Ben Kern is certainly treated as the lead character for No/One #2 we see how others are impacted by the events tied to the title character. Specifically with Julia, while she isn’t in as much of No/One #2 her story is just as fascinating as Ben. With her narrative we see that Julia is very much trying to maintain a Lois Lane-type journalistic integrity. That clashes with not only her editors desire to headline chase with the “Who Is No/One” podcast but also how the police deal with the attention the murder case is getting from the public.
Both Ben and Julia’s character journeys extend to other characters that appear throughout this issue. Each person clearly has their own stake in how they are using the No/One and Accountability Killer case to make their own choices. Whether it’s for career survival or furthering certain initiatives. It is certainly a “sharks smell blood in the water” situation with the choices made by various characters.
All of this is elevated by Geraldo Borges artwork, which is enhanced by the coloring by Mark Englert. The artwork is able to blend a grounded murder mystery story in a superhero world very well. Borges certainly nails how to make sure the emotions on characters faces elevate the dialogue being spoken in each panel. Adding an entire action chase sequence helped to add variety of what Borges got to do and show off his talents as an artist.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Kyle Higgings, Brian Buccellato, and Geraldo Borges do not miss with another excellent comic book in No/One #2. With strong character work the creative team make everything revolving the murder-mystery story leaves you wanting to find out what happens next.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10