Eve #2: Jump on This Zombie Rollercoaster, We’re Just Getting Started!

We start the issue in near-Earth space. Eve’s father and the other scientists that escaped the Earth have developed a way to fix the devastating climate change that flooded the world.  Their next problem is how to distribute the solution. Eve’s father has a way, but the other scientists aren’t going to like it.

Eve and Wexler depart the island and are almost immediately attacked by the virus-changed humans.  Wexler runs defense while Eve makes it to the remains of Manhattan.

Subplot

We learn the history of the virus.  It was frozen in ancient ice that melted as the world warmed.  Once free, the virus gave any living organism an unquenchable hunger.  The ravenous humans consumed everything organic, and, when there was nothing left, they ate inorganic things and exploded.  But, if it’s been at least eleven years since the virus emerged, how are there new infected attempting to eat Eve?

Themes

We have some of science-fiction’s greatest themes at work in Eve #2:

• climate change
• viruses
• children in power
• mythology
• dystopian America
• and self-aware androids.

LaValle uses these well-known themes to jumpstart the story.  After years of zombie and apocalypse stories in main stream media, we immediately understand the general plot — save the world.  What we’re looking for in Eve #3 is how does LaValle change it up to give us a fresh story?  Fans of Blade Runner, The 100, or The Walking Dead (or any number of sci-fi movies with these themes) won’t be disappointed by Eve #2.

The Words

The dialogue fits the world, but I’m not sure any of the characters sound significantly different than another.  This is a plot driven story, and there’s a lot of establishing details that need to be covered. LaValle does a great job of providing those details while moving the story forward.

The Art

It’s solid.  Wexler’s design works regardless of the form the Android is wearing.  The background visuals are being used to tell us story elements without having to talk about them (dinosaurs, ice melting, locations).  The action scenes are dynamic.  Mi-gyeong provides everything you’d expect from a modern comic with a generally toon style.

Questions

We are presented with a lot of plot threads in Eve #2. What happened to Eve’s mother? Why is Eve on Earth and her father in space?  Has the virus already started turning Eve (“I’m hungry. I’m scared. I’m hungry and scared.”).  How long has it been since the world ended (ten years, twenty years, twodays)?  Like many zombie future tales, it’s difficult to tell how much time has passed.  I have no doubt we’ll learn more details (and develop more questions) as the series progresses.