Rook: Exodus is a sci-fi story set in a world where people control animals via helmets and the ground they step on, all fabricated by a giant corporation. The rich were able to live like it was the Garden of Eden, but it still took grunt workers to keep things running. Those wearing helmets are known as wardens, and one was mercilessly murdered in the first issue. Now Rook, with the ability to control crows, is all alone but has no idea of that fact when the second issue begins.
Rook: Exodus #2 opens with captions that remind us of what this dystopian wasteland of a planet was meant to be all about. Escaping the polluted crater that is Earth. Now, this planet is just as bad, if not worse, and we see a warden controlling wolves on the trail of where we left off. The opening is a nice way of catching up with new readers while setting up the fact that all is nearly lost.
Meanwhile, Rook is far away from the scene of a murder, preparing to dive into a lake for the final part, which he needs to complete a rocket. A rocket he was preparing to escape on with his dear friend, who had no idea he was dead. Writer Geoff Johns hammers home the real kinship Rook had with the pig-controlling warden as he waits just in case he calls in for help.
The wolf warden!
Credit: Image
This issue’s main conceit introduces the concept of animals lacking empathy. Captions reveal wardens lose empathetic qualities when using the helmets as they connect with animals, seemingly losing their humanity a touch. It can even linger. It’s an interesting concept, although I’m pretty sure animals mourn the dead just as much as humans.
As Rook ponders these thoughts and worries about losing his ability to wait for his friend, there’s plenty of action. For instance, a giant mutant animal tries to take a bite of him, which Jason Fabok renders exceptionally well. There’s also a climactic action scene at the end of the book, showing how powerful the villain is and dashing Rook’s hopes.
The visual feast will blow you away throughout, but the giant bears wearing lasers on their backs may take the cake. The scale of these beasts is nearly laugh-out-loud large, but it works, given the alien world and the many unknowns in the story. Fabok and color artist Brad Anderson are delivering big on highly detailed art with plenty of mood and atmosphere. The sci-fi elements are strong, and there’s no mistaking this environment as Earth.
As far as the characters, this issue feels quite thin. The warden controlling wolves is not much more than a possible love interest who holds many secrets. She has little development on the page. Rook continues to be fairly simple, likely because he’s the audience surrogate. The main villain also continues to be a complete mystery. By the end of the issue, there’s no new information to hang your hat on besides the wolf warden being introduced.
Rook: Exodus #2 continues to offer detailed and action-packed big blockbuster art. The story and character work could improve, though, as we wait for more in those categories.
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