Shrugged vol.2 #2 Review

Back into the world of Shrugged. The issue picks up where the first left off; reintroducing characters from the first season and introducing new ones. Theo's guardian angels are at it again with their appropriately stereotypical behavior. Dev (a demon like guardian) continues to be the wild man, while Ange (you guessed it, an angel like guardian) continues to be polite and proper; putting him in his place.

The overall story moves forward through the events happening in the realm of Perspecta, home of the guardians. An unseen assailant, presumably the villain witnessed at the end of issue #1, is murdering and terrorizing the citizens of Perspecta. But it's what happens with Theo back on Earth that gets the most attention in this issue. Our main character has gotten himself caught in a sort of love rectangle. Dev seems to think it's good news. But we'll have to keep reading to see if it's the contrary.

The art is solid as it was before. Each realm is distinct and different. You can easily distinguish Earth from Perspecta. My only qualm was during the football game. I got the two cheerleader love interests confused. Theo had just bumped into one and then another popped up and said "Hey you made it." I thought, "What the hell? Didn't we just speak with you broad?" After flipping back I realized they were two separate characters; blonde and brunette. Would be nice to have a stronger distinction, as rhe blonde's hair is kind of a dirty blonde.They both so easily fit the 'popular cheerleader' motif. But maybe that was the point. And what's up with Kiori wearing a shirt that says 'Joey'? Something I missed from the first series run?

Shrugged vol. 2 #2 gets a 4 out of 5.

Shrugged 2 #1 Review

SHRUGGED 2 #1 REVIEW

Script| Frank Mastromauro
Art| Jonathan Marks & Micah Gunnell
Colors| Beth Sotelo
Letters| Josh Reed

Aspen Comics' ten year anniversary continues with the release of Shrugged 2 #1. Shrugged 2 is a continuation of the original Shrugged released back in 2006. Fans can rejoice as the story still follows the exploits of teenager Theo and the chips on his shoulder/alternate dimensional consciences; Devonshire and Angelia. The two effectively serve as an influence on Theo's decisions and the source of the powers he wields.

Shrugged 2 does a good job of recapping the events of the original within the first 5 pages, making it easier for newcomers, like myself, to ease into the series. The first issue is spends most of its time setting up for the story arcs to come (as expected), introducing potential love interests, friends and the current social climate in Theo's life on Earth and on Perspecta (Devonshire and Angelia's homeworld). It ends with a nice bang introducing what presumably is an old villain.

Shrugged 2 was a good quick read. I didn't have any trouble getting through it once I picked it up. The artwork is solid. There are some awesome border illustrations, but the colors are what really worked for me. So, kudos to Beth Sotelo there. Some of the panels do a great job of describing internal thoughts or emotions, particularly the ones revolved around Devonshire. Devonshire, won this book for me. He's hilarious and truly captures some of the inner thoughts of a straight male teenager. Pick it up and see for yourself.

4 out of 5