Waller vs. Wildstorm #2 continues the vibes and intrigue established in the debut issue but with a bit of timeline backtracking. While issue #1 introduced all the players in this story, issue #2 rewinds a bit to establish more context with a particular focus on Amanda Waller and Jackson King.
The issue is largely about conversations until the final handful of pages, which is appropriate for the story Akerman and Narcisse are telling, but makes pacing difficult. While the last issue opened with Lois Lane interviewing the leader of a rebel group this one opens with Amanda Waller speaking with the newly elected president, establishing the other side of the conflict.
The juxtaposition of what the characters are saying and what the panels are portraying is truly using the medium of comics to its fullest. The way flashbacks to horrific acts are bookended by a stoic Waller denying any involvement is chilling. Another uniquely comic book aspect of this series is how Waller’s dialogue is presented in a box with a literal section of brick wall whenever she is speaking off-panel. This is both effective and very funny.
The team on this book does good work making a largely conversational issue visually dynamic. This is achieved by making good use of framing and flashback to keep things moving while giving special attention to character details. The way Waller can’t be troubled to put down her whisky once it’s in her hand is amusing and effective in demonstrating the nonverbal way she can wield power.
The indirect body horror of the cybernetics introduced early in the issue is truly upsetting without anything explicit; the pieces are slightly bloody, but the way it also appears to be wet because it was shipped on ice for reasons left to the imagination is exceptionally unsettling and this is achieved entirely through the art.
The vibe of the whole package is still solid. The cover and title pages retain the era-appropriate typeface with a worn look of an old mass-market paperback. It’s as if the physical book itself is from the era being depicted.
With the political stakes and the medium through which these opposing factions within Checkmate will go to battle established, next issue is shaping up to be a big one.
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