Star #2: Stomping Through the Fabric of Reality

Thompson and company do a lot really well in Star #2 from the intense plotting to the stunning visuals, but the most intriguing aspect is just how much the issue pulls the reader in and makes them care for Ripley’s dire situation.

There is a developing dynamic happening with Star and the Scarlet Witch that really puts this issue over the top, helping it to reach the same levels of emotional outpouring as the first issue. Star is immediately one of the strongest heroes or otherwise in the Marvel Universe but instead of simply focusing on showing off that strength, the creative team instead puts the character drama in the forefront and the issue is all the better for it.

The visually awesome fight against the shadow demons is a lot of fun, but it ultimately serves as a catalyst to explore Ripley’s situation from a much larger perspective in the Marvel Universe and just what her very existence means going forward. We don’t need more context on the powers of the Reality Infinity Stone or those who seek it, but we do need a lot of insight into Ripley and her struggle with this new power, and that’s what we get! The artwork captures this approach magnificently, giving us perfect expressions from both Ripley and Wanda. It’s simply a beautiful book to look at.

While I am certainly a big fan of the character work happening in this series so far, I still can’t help but ask, why does this series exist? Thompson is surely enjoying exploring this original and incredibly powerful new woman lead in the Marvel Universe, but narratively, where will this journey take us? I’m hoping for a bit more direction now that we’ve seen just who is really coming after her with this issue’s cliffhanger.

Ultimately, this issue won’t disappoint any fan of Star. It’s a powerful issue that has a fundamental understanding of this character and the depth of emotion she can portray, but where will this journey take us?

That’s the big question.