Alienated #2: Breakfast of Champions

Alienated #2 turns away from the split narrative of the first issue. This time the story is told exclusively from Samuel’s perspective. After the last issue, he was my least favorite of the Sams, and this story proves that it was intentional. Simon Spurrier does an excellent job of highlighting Samuel’s hypocrisy enough to make it clear, without going so far as to beat the reader over the head with it. While the time in Samuel’s perspective was likely necessary, I’m more excited for Samantha and Samir to have a chance to shine in future issues.

While the theme of misunderstood teens was present in the first issue, and if I’m honest, something that made me enjoy it more, this time, I found the lean on that to be a bit even heavier. It adds layers and depths to the supporting characters beyond the three Sams, but as of now, it relies on the concept that all any teen wants is peer approval. However, it does provide a path for our Sams to question the morality of what they are willing to do in order to get that approval.

The art of the issue remains great. Chris Wildgoose’s art continues to portray the emotions of the characters clear on their faces, most noticeable being, Chelsea. Her expressions display the emotions for what they are, trying too hard for it not to be fake. Andre May’s colors provide for a surreal take on their experiment and a sharp contrast between what is occurring around our characters and what is taking place in their heads.