The Black Order #2: This is How You Start a War

The narrative shifts from Glave to Proxima Midnight as her inner monologue guides the reader through the events of issue #2.

As with the first issue, the scene opens with a fierce battle in which the Order sets their sites on their second objective. A fantastic method in which author Derek Landy propels the characters into the next phase of his engaging story. Landy holds out still on the true goal of the Order and the Gamemasters’ promise, securing peaked interest in future events and the true summit of the overarching storyline. I applaud Landy on his use of the characters themselves, shifting perspective from one to the next in each issue. The dark chaotic encounters serve as real tangible battles of desperation in which you’re not quite sure who you’re rooting for, but you love the savage nature of these opponents nonetheless. The dialog makes use of wicked humor and intricate nuances that breathe life and individuality to each character who up until now has been a singular identity used for the means of one story or another’s an overall plot device.

The team of Philip Tan and Harvey Tolibao injects pure adrenaline in every combat sequence and true inflection to moments of dialog and stillness. From page to page there’s a real taste of power in every action and development. Without question Tan and Tolibao rival creative teams throughout Marvel’s other current offerings.