Derek Landy effectively kicked off a new superhero team made up of Infinity Stone bearers with Infinity Watch #1. He also ended the issue with major deaths and a universe-ending high-stakes cliffhanger. That made the extra month of waiting for Inifity Watch #2 all the harder, but it’s here this week, and it comes with a massive twist.
This second issue will seriously make you question if you’re reading the second issue of a comic series. Infinity Watch #2 opens with an alternate-reality stone bearer named Avery Zavala killing the Infinity Watch members left and right. And, it’s brutal. He’s jamming a massive sword through people’s chests, lopping off heads, and generally doing it all with ease. That’s because he has gained the powers of one Infinity Watch member after the other.
The art is split between Ruairi Coleman, who continues the present-day events from the last issue. Coleman delivers on the violence, making you feel for these heroes. They have no chance, and Coleman makes it look painful. The villain’s facial expressions also help convey that he’s not evil but thinks he’s doing the right thing.
Just as things get even more intense, the issue cuts to white, and…everything changes.
That’s gotta hurt.
Credit: Marvel
Enid Balam takes over about halfway through the issue when a massive shakeup happens. It’s so massive that you might think there was a misprint. Not only does Balam’s art style drastically look different, but the story also picks up with Colleen Wing and Harry Osborn. From there, Balam delivers an excellent take on Spider-Man with a more grounded, homemade feel to the costume.
Feeling disoriented is the point halfway through the issue as you try to get your bearings and understand what is happening. It’s the kind of thing only comic books can do, and it’s a major risk. Sure, it’s a bit frustrating as the reader seems to be starting over, but it’s also exciting.
Landy keeps you entertained in this disorienting section, with things like Colson insulting Dr. Doom to his face and Spider-Man offering up some fun quips. The cliffhanger could have used a bit more to hint at where we go from here, but there’s a lot to unpack in a good way, so likely, most will be back for issue #3.
Infinity Watch #2 takes a massive narrative risk that pays off with an intense and disorienting shift, making for an exhilarating and unpredictable read. The dual artists help sell the jarring transition, and while it may frustrate some readers, it highlights the unique storytelling possibilities of comics. With brutal action, intriguing character work, and a shocking reset midway, this issue keeps you on edge, even if the cliffhanger could have been stronger.
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