One of the best anthologies launched in 2024 is back this week with Cruel Universe 2 #1. To make things even more special, Oni Press has packaged an EC Comics classic with the new tales, making it not just compelling, but historical! This latest issue is also stacked with incredible comics talent that includes Greg Pak, Ann Nocenti, J. Holtham, Charlie Adlard, David Rubin, and Kano. If Oni wanted this sequel anthology to come out with a bang, they’re surely going to blow up everyone’s hearts and minds.
Kicking things off is “In a Strange Land” by J. Holtham and David Rubin, which hits with a quiet, devastating power. On the surface, it’s a classic sci-fi setup: peaceful alien beings arrive on Earth, offering knowledge and advancement beyond our imagination. But the narrative takes a sharp, uncomfortable turn when the ambassador, who adopts the form of a human, encounters humans who treat him terribly.
What makes this story so good, and so poignant, is how it weaponizes the optimism of first contact against us. We’re conditioned to expect wonder or perhaps fear in these tales, but instead, the emotional gut punch comes from humanity’s ignorance and bigotry. It’s not an invasion story; it’s a rejection story. I won’t spoil the twist, but it’s a smart one.
The art by Rubin is clean and pleasing, with his cartooning style adding to the endearing peaceful nature of the alien race. The space backgrounds are cool with a CGI look that elevates the story.
Oni Press
Next up is “Catch & Kill” by Ann Nocenti and Kano, which deals with cutting-edge technology so that humans can understand animals. Leading the charge on this tech are podcasters, who realize their dog may be able to understand a dolphin that’s being tortured on TV. The story takes a dark turn, though Kano makes it somewhat comedic when violence and pain take effect. Ultimately, it’s a lesson that we need to be careful what we wish for.
Compared to the other tales, this one feels a little padded and long. It takes its time to get to the gruesomeness, and it leans heavily on the violent twist more than saying something truly profound.
Greg Pak and Charlie Adlard wrap up the new tales with “The Fittest.” The story focuses on the leader of a spaceship that’s fleeing Earth. His empathy for those dying from a gooey virus is limited at best, and soon we see his care for anyone is at absolute zero. Elon Musk references and killer robots play things out in a way that even this billionaire couldn’t expect.
The art really sells the story, with great action and story structure that’ll have you on the edge of your seat. Designs are unique and functional, from the robots to the space suits. It also probably helps that the jerk leader has a reminiscent look to Adlard’s Negan in The Walking Dead.
Closing out the collection is the classic tale “Derelict Ship” by William M. Gaines, Al Feldstein and Bernard Krigstein. This story will really take you back, from the heavy use of dialogue and captions to the visual style that’s limited in color tones. What’s particularly cool about this tale is how it most obviously inspired much of the EC Comics revolution at Oni, from the twist to the social commentary.
Cruel Universe 2 #1 is a stunning return for one of 2024’s best anthologies, delivering a trio of deeply thematic sci-fi stories that challenge, entertain, and provoke. With top-tier creators bringing their A-game, and a nod to the past with an EC Comics reprint, this issue reaffirms Oni Press’ bold, socially-conscious vision for the series. It’s the kind of comic that dares to say something, and actually means it.
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