Review: Brass Sun #2
To say that Brass Sun began auspiciously in issue 1 feels like an understatement. Despite my own reservations, the issue made a huge splash critically, and sold out of it’s first print. Great news considering, as pointed out in my review, this is a rare venture for 2000 AD to try and worm into the American comic market in a greater way. Now, with issue 2, it’s somewhat make or break time for the series. A firm foundation has been set, and the basic plot, as far as whose who and who has to do what is concerned, has been established. Now it’s time for the adventure to truly begin, and begin it does.
Much like the previous issue, the book begins with a narration focused on the mystical land the story is set in. The history and different lands and peoples of the ‘wheel of worlds’ is explained as our heroine, Wren, learns of her place within said world. A well-paced layout gives this opening monologue a smooth feel as the lore is both progressed further in context but also focused to provide reason to why the current civil climate is what it is. Any fear that the story would be small or unfulfilling to a greater scale is dispensed with quickly as just how important, and dangerous, Wren’s mission is becomes apparent. What also becomes apparent is the crude ruthlessness that is so commonly found among protagonists written in 2000 AD; very rarely is anyone actually all that trustworthy, and this is no different. We meet likeable characters, and they are likeable, but not one that we meet is actually to be trusted, possibly despite the protagonist’s better judgement. A suspenseful tone is set early on.
But this is just merely discourse for the main attraction of this parade – the exploration of another world. An abandoned world. Gotten to by traversing the ‘wheel of worlds’. The land explored is ancient and forgotten to everyone but those who still reside in it, and Culbard’s minimalistic art-style, which heavily echoes that of cartoons like Samurai Jack, very much works to accentuate the imaginative setting. Using a color palette that switches for each setting, the tone is firmly switched as needs without feeling like any contrast is too severe or, worse, there is a lack of definition and the art feels muddled. Over the course of the book there are several places visited, and each gains it’s own identity, and we are given a sense of that identity without needing to be told, because of these shifting colors.
This greatly compliments Ian Edginton’s writing style for sculpting and expanding the cast of characters, too. His shaping of characters through relevant exposition is a pleasure to read, as not a word feels wasted. Very little time is spent on bashfully droning on to tell us why the people in charge are in 
charge, instead we get well-timed conversation that is cohesive, feels correct and most importantly, builds each character. The issue demonstrates the alien mentality adopted by those who have been cut off from any other life for an extended period of time, and ever so lightly touches on how volatile the reactions could be when tested. I was left wanting to learn more about the characters more than the setting by the end, a testament to a well-written and diverse cast.
As far as second issues go, Brass Sun’s is a good one. Capitalizing on some of the failures of the first, curiosity ultimately wins out as a great fantasy world is slowly being built for the reader, and an adventure is being had by characters who are likeable, and who are complimented by a swiftly growing group of supporting players who are, for now at least, incredibly intriguing. Throw in some very clever comparisons drawn between sci-fi, fantasy and spiritualism and these 30-odd pages are a memorable read. Edginton and Culbard’s obvious creative chemistry is starting to ooze out of the pages and what felt like a good, but somewhat standard first issue has a necessity for your pull list. Should this quality remain at this level, or improve, this will be quite the essential title to have in your collection.
Brass Sun #2 is available now.
[easyreview cat1title=”The Arcade Verdict” cat1detail=”Fixes the problems of the first issue and provides an intriguing read.” cat1rating=”9″]
