Indigo Children #1 was the kind of indie comic a superhero fan dreams of. Gritty, realistic, and tightly plotted, Curt Pires, Rockwell White, and Alex Diotto introduced us to a believable world with a hefty mystery to unpack. Indigo Children #2 is out this week, and we get a glimpse at another super-powered kid who’s all grown up.
That kid is named Fred, and we learn in the opening of Indigo Children #2 he may not know he’s super. The issue opens on a dream that we learn doesn’t feel like a nightmare but a memory. We’re eased into their experience as we learn they work in Chicago and have an incredible gift for designing architecture. There’s a coverup afoot, and he needs to be freed.
In a key scene early on, Fred is with his therapist. All seems normal until we see what Fred sees. It’s like he sees the world as a sketch or schematic. It’s our first hint he may have abilities. Or maybe he’s crazy. Diotto and color artist Dee Cunniffe do well to capture a weird vibe with his point of view. It’s a cool, visually interesting idea, especially in a comic book.
There’s a stand-out page about visuals showing Fred’s memories over 40 panels. At the bottom right of the page, Fred screams as he realizes the truth. It’s a reminder these characters have a lot to work through, as they’ve been victims their whole lives. The opening dream sequence also hints at where they may be from. Are they alien or from the future? There are a few running theories.
Is it a dream or a memory?
Credit: Image
Much of the second half of the book is all-out action. Superhero powers, SWAT teams rushing in, and a thrilling chase. The pace might be almost too fast, with a flashback page that catches us up on how a few characters escaped soldiers. The mystery also feels a bit in the back seat of this issue since it focuses so much on Fred. That said, the character is set up very well here.
The epilogue also feels a bit stuffy, revealing some shadowy figures who are going after the Indigo Children no matter what. It’s the kind of scene we’ve seen many times before, primarily how it’s delivered.
Indigo Children #2 is an exciting second issue introducing a new key player in the good guy category. Paired with clever visuals depicting their superpowers, this issue continues to feel cutting-edge and gritty.
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