Last month, the first issue of this mini-series was my best book of the month. How did the second issue fare? Find out below!
Written by Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Conner
Illustrated by Amanda ConnerLaurie Juspeczyk has made the break from her suffocating mother, the original Silk Spectre, and has taken off for San Francisco–with her first love in tow. She may think she’s ready to be a hero, but does she have the first clue what she’s in for? Or was her mother right all along?
1. Again, Amanda Conner Crushes It
Say anything you want about most of these Before Watchmen books so far, but they have been absolutely brilliantly illustrated. Amanda Conner was arguably the best of the first run (which is saying something considering the competition from Darwyn Cooke and Jae Lee), and this issue was no different. You get more of her quick asides into Laurie’s head, plus you have the fun addition of psychedelia into the equation. The storytelling and diversity in art is spectacular, and it was another great one from Conner.
2. The Dr. Manhattan Ties Keep Coming
The thematic consistency across Before Watchmen art is pretty damn awesome, and in this issue, that kept going, as Dr. Manhattan was again referenced in a subtle way only artistically. I won’t spoil it for you, but look for it. It’s one of the more clever things going on in this book.
3. Cooke & Conner spin a nice origin yarn
I think part of the reason why Silk Spectre was such an achievement in my book is because the character of Silk Spectre was the least developed of anyone in the original Watchmen cast. Now, she’s getting depth installed retroactively, and what incredible work by Cooke and Conner. She already feels so much more full of life, like a young girl really trying to find her way, but with so much piss and vinegar in her that you can see the woman she becomes. This is the Silk Spectre I wish was present in Watchmen.
4. But…ugh
While the first issue did not struggle with anything really, this issue’s open was rough. It depicted Silk Spectre taking out some bad guys in costume as the letter she was writing Hollis Mason was overlaid on top of it. The two elements playfully acted off of each other, and what came out was overly goofy, terribly cutesy shenanigans. Honestly, I had a hard time making it through the intro, which soured my experience overall.
5. Where to next?
This issue left with Laurie in a really tough spot and with the villain officially revealed. Ideally, the next issue gets back on track entirely. Odds are, this will have her take on her first big bust and start getting noticed by others. I figure by the end of this mini-series, they’ll have everyone positioned together at the point where we meet them. But who knows, it would be a KICK to find out I’m wrong.
Final Verdict: 6.5 – Browse
