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Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2
DC Comics

Comic Books

‘Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong’ #2 is a beautiful hymn of relationship building

Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 is constructed on finely tuned characterization.

In a desperate bid to silence the Voidsong before it renders the entire planet inert, Aquaman and The Flash travel to Atlantis’s Central Core with the hope of finally understanding this threat. But, when a terrible secret surfaces, will our heroes be able to put aside their differences and save the world? Or will their dissonant ideologies condemn our planet to the Void?

SPOILERS AHEAD for Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2!

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“… I know exactly what to do.”

DC Preview: Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #2

DC Comics

Constructed on finely tuned characterization, Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 is a beautiful hymn of relationship building. Whereas the first entry spent most of its pages decelerating to explore each character and their relationships, this issue puts the pedal to the metal to drive this narrative forward. With all the setup complete, Kelly and Lanzing wisely allow the relationship between these two heroes to propel the plot. As a result, Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 strikes the perfect balance between narrative progression and character exploration. However, none of this would be possible without Vasco Georgiev’s artwork, Rain Beredo’s colors, and Troy Peteri’s letters.

Opening with one of my favorite elements of The CW’s Arrowverse shows, Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 picks up immediately after the first issue’s conclusion. In the opening pages, we find our heroes in a fight for the planet with the Void. Not content to settle for a contest of fisticuffs with an extraterrestrial threat, Flash abandons Aquaman twice during battle to obtain Captain Cold’s gun and the Atom’s belt. His hope: beat the Void with science. Kelly and Lanzing’s character work and dialogue are exemplary throughout this sequence. Their work expertly conveys the banter between these unlikely allies, as Arthur’s reaction to Barry’s multiple disappearances and reappearances left me smiling from ear to ear.

Moreover, I love how the characters’ opening narration begins and ends the same but highlights the differences in their personalities. This narration drives home the first issue’s notion that these disparate characters have more in common than meets the eye. Their goals mirror one another, and this issue’s artwork goes a long way in visually representing this idea. The two-page spread of Barry and Arthur’s attacks on the invader is perfection. Georgiev’s artwork illustrates how their strategies are different, but the punchline of this sequence is a haymaker from both heroes. In an issue full of outstanding artwork, these pages are my favorite.

Following Barry’s failure to defeat the Void using temperature and gravity, our heroes travel to Atlantis’s Central Core to use Mera’s analysis unit to learn more about this threat. In this sequence, we learn the truth behind the invader’s presence: they hunt and eat the Speed Force. I love how Barry’s narration is both analytical and fast-paced throughout this sequence. As a result, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing have perfectly captured his characterization. Additionally, Troy Peteri’s letters on Flash’s dialogue expertly convey the character’s cadence and personality.

After learning the Voidsong’s secret, Aquaman and The Flash confront one of the Void’s ships above Atlantis. Despite their success in freeing Atlantis from the Voidsong’s horrific harmony, something is eating away at the Scarlet Speedster. Instead of pursuing the Fastest Man Alive, the Void’s ships went straight for the heart of Atlantis. It is during this moment that we learn Aquaman’s horrible secret. Stealing Barry’s personal data, he has constructed Typhon, a spaceship powered by the Speed Force. Arthur’s dream is for his people to travel to the final frontier.

This goal makes sense, I suppose, because space is an ocean of stars. With this reveal, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing have done an excellent job grounding the conflict in the strained relationship between these two characters. Although I find the Void scientifically fascinating, I am wholly invested in reading the fallout from this revelation and hopeful for the duo’s reconciliation.

“What did you do?”

DC Preview: Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #2

DC Comics

Although I have previously discussed Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2’s artwork, I would be remiss if I did not mention Rain Beredo’s colors. Beredo’s colors perfectly capture the balance between our heroes’ bright colors and the Void’s darkness. It’s a juxtaposition necessary for contrasting our heroes’ hope with the invader’s dark desires. One sequence depicts Aquaman and the Flash going to the Void’s church. Beredo’s work gives this corrupt cathedral an ethereal, stained glass appearance. These panels are hauntingly beautiful.

If I had to nitpick with this issue, one of my only complaints is with Flash’s appearance in a few panels. At times, the Fastest Man Alive’s cowl has a shape that feels off. As a result, the top of his head feels disproportionate to his face. This gripe is minor, however, and it does not hurt the overall story.

Constructed on finely tuned characterization, Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 is a beautiful hymn of relationship building and betrayal. Kelly and Lanzing wisely allow the relationship between these two heroes to propel the plot. As a result, Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 strikes the perfect balance between narrative progression and character exploration. Georgiev’s artwork does an excellent job illustrating how the heroes’ strategies are different, but their punchline remains the same. Additionally, Beredo’s colors perfectly capture the balance between our heroes’ bright colors and the Void’s darkness.

Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2
‘Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong’ #2 is a beautiful hymn of relationship building
Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2
Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #2 strikes the perfect balance between narrative progression and character exploration. Georgiev’s artwork does an excellent job illustrating how the heroes' strategies are different, but their punchline remains the same. Additionally, Beredo's colors perfectly capture the balance between our heroes' bright colors and the Void's darkness.
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Kelly and Lanzing wisely allow the relationship between these two heroes to propel the plot.
Georgiev’s artwork does an excellent job illustrating how the heroes' strategies are different but their goals are the same.
Beredo's colors perfectly capture the balance between our heroes' bright colors and the Void's darkness.
I am excited to see how this issue's reveal plays out in the next installment.
This is a nitpick, but the Flash's cowl makes his head look disproportionate in a few panels.
9
Great
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