Skyward #2 Review

Skyward #2

Writer: Joe Henderson
Artist: Lee Garbett
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Image

Review by Michael Farris, Jr.

In Skyward #2, Willa has learned that her father played a part in the reversal of gravity, along with a man named Roger Barrow. And while her father has been too afraid to step outside the door for twenty years, Barrow has gained fame and fortune thanks to G-Day. Willa seeks out the help of Barrow—after crashing a posh party and nearly being apprehended by the police—in order to inspire her father to employ the fix to gravity he claims he has. Barrow is pleased to learn that Willa’s dad is still alive, but it appears he has entirely different plans for their reunion.

The first chapter of this series introduced us to an exciting cast and unique world for them to play in, and Skyward #2 not only expands on that but also gets us deeper into the story. Willa is the typical wanderlust-hungry teenager being held back by circumstances she can’t control, but she’s drawn in such a way that makes her a fun, charismatic type that you can’t help but root for the whole time.

One idea that was introduced in this issue that was of particular interest to me is that the wealthy are on “the streets.” It takes a lot of money to be able to walk on the planet’s surface, and you know you’ve made it in life if you can drive a car. Gone are the high-rise apartments and rooftop parties; when gravity is gone, the world is literally flipped upside down.

Willa’s attempt to crash the glitzy party was one of the more enjoyable parts of the book, especially seeing the gangly teenager attempt to walk with magboots for the first time. The introduction of Roger Barrow also adds more intrigue to the story in that he and Willa’s father have a prior working relationship. And both lead very different lives as a result of no gravity.

The artwork of this series continues to impress. It’s able to match the well-balanced lightheartedness and dark undertones of the story. One of my favorite parts is the two-page spread that shows the grim ring that now surrounds Earth. I was also affected by the panel that shows us that Barrow is not the good guy in this story (I mean, come on, when are the wealthy not named Bruce Wayne ever the good guy in a story these days?) that completely darkens his face except for sinister-looking eyes.

Verdict: Buy it.

Joe Henderson has proven to be an excellent source of character development and storytelling (#SaveLucifer), and the Skyward series is no exception. If you haven’t started reading this story yet…what’s wrong with you?