Fans of superspies will be delighted to know The Vigil exists and is a worthy pickup at their comics shop. Written by Ram V, it introduces readers to spies with very particular and special skills doing work that could save lives internationally with a narrower focus in India. The first issue established the team and premise, and in The Vigil #2, Arclight gets the main focus.
Arclight is a hero who lost his wife and child and seeks to chase the truth. The truth is an underlying theme in this issue, with major players being questioned by others and hidden superpowered folks being uncovered. After a brief flashback that ties into his main mission, one can understand this man’s humanity and why he’d work for a mysterious operation. The issue dives into a mission involving weather-controlling technology.
The Vigil continues to be good at skimming the surface between superpowered characters and ordinary people trying to do their best. It makes you believe there could be a guy in another room who can punch a hole through you, but regular folks are walking amongst them none the wiser. This issue leans into super-powered characters showing off what they can do, but it’s still special and not the main point.
The fantastical paired with detectives doing their job and nefarious secrets being hidden is what makes this series’ secret sauce work. It lives in a world of superheroes, but being sneaky and getting intel is as important as moving the moon with your mind. Given the cliffhanger, we are likely in for a brand new level of superpower used in an espionage way, which is quite exciting.
Ram V makes you like this character.
Credit: DC Comics
The story also cuts back to the heroes we saw in the first issue, who seem to be onto something. Like any good spy drama, there are multiple threads at work, and it’s all relatively easy to keep track of. I can’t say I understand who the main villain is or where it’s all going, but it’s still early in the story.
Art by Lalit Kumar Sharma captures the ordinary quite well, be it soldiers milling about and Arclight looking on to the average suit and tie worn by the folks giving Arclight intel. It’s a rougher style that suits the more realistic tone the series is going for. Superpowers look good, and the reveal of El Nino is quite a sight. The general design of these super-powered folks is intriguing and borders on realistic. Sometimes the art can feel a little too rough and unfinished, though, particularly with facial expressions.
The Vigil continues to walk the line of superheroes and super spies in an intriguing second issue. It’s unclear where it’s all going, but the weird and mysterious are laid on thick enough to make you want more. There’s something special here, blending The Manchurian Candidate with superheroes.
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