The debut issue of Fireborn more than delivered, crafting a superhero origin that felt truly fresh while also fitting into the world of Lost Fantasy and managing to stand on its own two feet. So the question remains: how does the second issue hold up? Pretty well, if I’m being honest. Following his transformation into an armored dragon-powered hero, Aaron Hillburg finds himself being questioned by his mother, hounded by a dogged NYPD detective, and attacked by a legion of mystical forces that want to take the dragon egg that’s bonded to him.
That’s a lot to pack into one comic, but thankfully, Fireborn #2 keeps the same “Giant-Size” format that the first issue and Lost Fantasy have utilized to great effect. This allows the story to truly breathe, and for Aaron to come to grips with his new powers. It also delves deep into the mysterious man who was carrying the egg before Aaron, whose name is Edgard; he’s lived a life of vice that’s brought him to his lowest point, and ends up working with the people hunting Aaron. The best superhero/fantasy stories give every character depth, and Fireborn is no different.
Fireborn also boasts a creative team that’s willing to push the envelope in so many ways. Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, and Patrick Mulholland introduce a legion of shapeshifting monkeys with martial arts skills, a massive man who can grow back his limbs that are chopped off, and a mysterious monk. And that’s only scratching the surface, as the backup story “Ignition” brings in the Knights of Edge from Lost Fantasy (and Lost Fantasy artist Luca Casalanguida, to boot).
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This lets Mulholland go all out with the artwork, resulting in some truly glorious fight scenes. Whenever Aaron unleashes the full force of his new dragon powers, there’s an explosion of bright violet energy that fills the page. The kung-fu monkeys also bear a strong resemblance to Sun Wukong from Journey to the West, and have anime-inspired attacks that wouldn’t feel out of place in Dragon Ball Z. Perhaps my favorite scene features Aaron scaling a building and standing on the roof, basking in the brilliant sunlight. Mulholland bathes the page in glowing golden sunlight, creating a rare peaceful moment before Aaron’s life is once again upended by magical mayhem.
Perhaps the biggest plot twist in Fireborn #2 doesn’t involve Kung Fu monkeys or mysterious cults, but the fact that the dragon trailing Aaron can actually speak to him. Pires and Jonas craft a strange bond between Aaron and the dragon, as they aren’t fully in sync but slowly learn to work with each other. In “Ignition”, they join forces with Timmy Heague to reveal more about the dragon’s nature and why everyone wants it, hinting at apocalyptic stakes. It’s definitely enough to keep readers intrigued, as the dragon is poised to be a force for salvation or Armageddon.
Fireborn #2 delivers an action-packed and layered sophomore installment, continuing to flesh out its world of dragons and magic. This is one of those rare comics that definitely lives up to the hype.
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