The epic fantasy adventure continues this week detailing a much more imaginative afterlife you never knew about. Mark Millar and Greg Capullo are putting Heaven and Hell on lock, but is it good?
Reborn #2 (Image Comics)
So what’s it about? The full summary reads:
MILLAR and CAPULLO’s epic sci-fi fantasy story continues. After her death, Bonnie is reborn in Adystria and has a sword thrust into her hand. As the evils within the Dark Lands get stronger, she is Adystria’s only hope: their savior.
Why does this book matter?
Capullo is crushing it on art per usual and Millar is offering up a brand new story that – if it’s anything like his previous work – offers up an original and fascinating tale. Millar understands the hero’s journey, but also people, so you know his stories are good for genuine character work.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Speechless…wow.
This issue is the perfect answer to the last as it fleshes out the magical world Bonnie has entered since dying of old age. Millar reveals details on how some things work but reserves plenty for later giving you just enough to satiate your imagination (so that it can run wilder later on). The issue sets up Bonnie’s acceptance and understanding of this place, but also dangles the mystery of the “Dark Lands” where presumably those who were bad in real life go.
New mysteries certainly sprout up too, but the general gist of how you get powers or even end up in the good area of this world are explained more or less. It’s very clear that Millar has an incredibly imaginative and fascinating world on his hands; I could imagine him daydreaming about how Heaven in the Bible doesn’t sound so appealing, but a world where – if you’re good – you get super abilities and talents? Hell yes. Much like us, Bonnie is amazed, in a state of shock, and trying to soak it all in — which gives the book a sense of wonderment that’s infectious.
The art by Capullo is without a doubt gorgeous. There are amazing vistas, city centers, and beautiful landscapes to soak in. The environments are truly epic and – like a warm blanket – allow you to get comfortable and accept this world. Clothing, faces, weapons…it all looks detailed with a conscious care. FCO Plascencia (and inker Jonathan Glapion) have joined Capullo delivering a book that rivals most books you’ll see this week or this month. Keep in mind, there is no action in this comic, and yet the art is delectably detailed and inventive in every panel making you wonder why fighting in comics even needs to exist. Bottom line: Reborn #2 is beautiful and wonderful all at once.
It can’t be perfect can it?
I did wonder why Bonnie wasn’t more curious about the whole war thing. Chock it up to the character going with the flow so the plot can push forward, but it seems slightly bizarre that aspect is just accepted. Other unanswered elements might bother you too, like why some animals are humanoid and others aren’t. Best to let a comic series do its thing though as the ideas are so damn fun.
Hmmm, interesting.
Is It Good?
If you like storytelling and the act of telling epic stories then read Reborn because it will expand your mind. The concept is compelling and feels utterly unique, with art that’s gorgeous enough to taste.
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