Innards #1 combined the horrors of oligarchy with sci-fi mining into the depths of the Earth for an unnerving fresh start. Innards #2 further fleshes out the human element, as our main character must face the reality of becoming a dad just when he gets good at something. The second issue forces Roy to make a choice, but is it a choice that’ll get him killed?
Innards #2 opens on a montage of moments that take place in this issue while Mr. Wright narrates from a rather dark place. As we saw in the last issue, he sees things in the dark, and apparently, he’s taking his disturbed behavior to the surface by bothering his neighbors. Pale and sickly looking, his apartment manager comes calling to kick him out, not knowing that Mr. Wright wants to discuss things, which really means a murderous end to their conversation.
From there, writer Rob Guillory and artist Sam Lotfi flesh out Roy’s time working over seven months. We see him bonding with his coworkers and enjoying the hard work. It may be a job so dangerous that most don’t take it, but Roy is thriving. Throw in a funny duct tape joke, and it’s a lighthearted look at why Roy would dig this job so much.
Deep down, though, he’s hiding from his wife and unborn daughter. It’s here that Guillory digs into the very real scenario many face. The timing seems perfect for a baby, as we soon learn that an area they’ve been mining is nearly depleted. In the realm of sci-fi drama, however, it also means things are going to get scarier and more dangerous. Roy’s behavior may be relatable, but he’s also a bit flat emotionally and in the depth that the story plumbs his psychology. In this story, he’s more reactive and less contemplative, which keeps him at a distance from the reader.
On the art side, Lotfi’s general style and layout structure feel lighter and more tuned for the weird and the funny. The deeper emotional beats don’t land quite as hard due to the cartoony style. Lofti’s best work comes when a radioactive storm hits, with exceptional colors by the great Jean-Francois Beaulieu. Roy and his teammate, Mr. Wright, must survive a twister, and there’s some exciting quick thinking that ramps up the thrilling scene.
But wait, there’s more. This issue feels quite packed, as the clear mental health issues Mr. Wright is having reveal a dark truth. This leads to a rather dangerous cliffhanger and an exceptional full-page splash to end the issue.
Innards #2 successfully expands the world and emotional stakes established in the debut issue while continuing to escalate the horror. Rob Guillory grounds the story in relatable fears about family, work, and purpose, even as the increasingly bizarre and terrifying events threaten to overwhelm the characters. While Roy’s internal struggles could benefit from deeper exploration, the supporting cast, mounting tension, and memorable set pieces keep the pages turning. Combined with Sam Lotfi’s expressive artwork and Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s atmospheric colors, the result is a second issue that leaves readers eager, and perhaps a little nervous, to descend even further into the unknown.
