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The first issue of Ragman dropped readers into a new character’s world and then blew it up with confusion and chaos. An ex-soldier, Rory was given powers connected to an Egyptian deity but now those seeking that power have attacked his father. Time to figure out this whole Ragman power thing or die, I guess!
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
When a pair of demons attack Rory’s father in order to get to the Suit of Souls, Rory jumps into battle head-on. But with little practice using the suit, Rory gets tangled in a web of nightmares. As Rory is forced to face his own inner demons he must fight his way out, both physically and mentally, in order to save his father.
Why does this matter?
From the design of the character to his New 52 origin, Ray Fawkes and Inaki Miranda have introduced one of the lesser known supernatural characters and made him relevant. After speaking to them it’s clear their passion for this miniseries is great (they want him in the Justice League after all) so we’re in for a wild ride indeed.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Hmmm, curious.
This issue opens with 6 wide panels with fairly cryptic captions. The visuals foreshadow symbolic meaning and then we cut to Rory sitting in a room with what appears to be a psychologist. It’s not until the next page we realize one of these demonic beasts is toying with his mind. This issue is all about Rory beginning to grasp hold of the Ragman powers and then kick some butt so as to save his father and himself. It’s a fly by your pants action fest with strong character work for the demons in particular.
The issue holds up very well due to the art, which is sharp and dynamite. Miranda uses some interesting montages to convey the impossible speed of Ragman in one scene and then a wicked double page layout to convey all the tendrils of Ragman shooting about. I really dig the use of blur in the backgrounds, which helps draw your eye to the action and the main characters. There’s also an interesting character design going on with these demons. The use of color by Eva De La Cruz is quite nice too, in particular one scene where Randy sees bloody compatriots on the wall and an eerie green hue taking over him and the psychiatrist. A panel then switches the psychiatrist’s skin from red to purple, which helps give the effect of a quick and shocking change to which Randy reacts.
That ain’t good.
It can’t be perfect can it?
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After a slightly wonky pacing of the first issue this issue is all out action and well rendered internal conflict scenes. Since it is mostly action it zips by rather quickly.
Is It Good?
An action packed second issue ends with some closure, but a promise to have Ragman rise up from his beginnings. Bring on issue #3!
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