Alex Segura and Cian Tormey’s second issue of The Question: All Along the Watchtower is much more of a mixed-bag than the series’ initial issue. Now that the novelty of the premise and the new All-In status quo aren’t enough to dominate one’s reading experience, some of the writing comes more into focus for better and for worse. There’s a reliance on common tropes which most readers will recognize and likely not enjoy, but there’s also still a palpable joy at getting to play in this sandbox which will probably be enough to bring folks back for the third issue.
There is still a lot of the fleshing out of the watchtower and its supporting cast which longtime readers are likely to enjoy. Whether it’s finding out who’s in charge of the Watchtower’s inventory, or who runs the satellite’s bar, new characters and details abound. They also, thankfully, never feel forced or confused. On the other hand, the issue’s choice of villain is a bit confusing, and while as a mystery readers should allow it time to plead its case, it is initially jarring.
Where the book begins to feel less fun is in the characterization of Renee Montoya and her relationships. Segura leans into a gambit of noir and detective story tropes in their writing which often feel as if they’re coming earlier than they’re earned, or feel out of place altogether. It’s this sort of thing, such as Montoya’s forced anxiety around the primary suspect identified in their investigation, that fuels a feeling of manufactured conflict within the book and between the characters.
It’s a shame that this feeling pervades the investigation segments in this issue because if not for that, playing with these tropes in the Watchtower setting could be a lot of fun.
This is doubly true because of all things to get right, the mystery is compelling so far. Not only is it unpredictable, but it incorporates so many different areas of the DC Universe that readers will undoubtedly be dying to know what could be tying this all together. While I doubt many are biting on the first suspect which has been presented in this issue, there isn’t another clear option at this point which would make it feel silly to suggest someone else.
It’s also just bolstered by the characters that readers are going on this journey with. Ted Kord, Animal Man, Talking Tawny, Bulleteer and more make the book feel like a creative team’s legitimate love letter to DC Comics. The feeling of that can’t help but shine through the books numerous flaws.
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Tormey’s art helps facilitate much of this fun, as they’re able seamlessly balance a wide swath of the DC universe, which don’t usually share the page. Their simple and classic style clearly and simply communicates the way this book exists at the heart of a superhero universe. No bright color, crazy design or otherworldly power feels out of place within this book.
This further roots this story alongside each of the other DC All-In books, especially those built around Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Justice League Unlimited. Much of the success of this new status quo stems from the believability that everything going on in this book, Black Lightning, The Atom Project and Challengers of the Unknown are all happening in proximity to each other. Each creates depth at the center of the DC Universe which encourages readers to keep exploring and keep up to date with the ongoing exploits of the watchtower.
It’s ultimately this element that is the strongest pull back to this series for a third issue in time. The book is fun enough, and it’s well-depicted, but more than anything I think readers will want to be a part of this universe unfolding. What are all these active threats to the Watchtower? What are the jobs of all these random characters on the Watchtower? How will a random character you’ve not seen since 2003 somehow pop up in this mystery?
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