Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Kick-Ass 2 #1
Icon Comics (Marvel Comics)
Millar & Romita Jr
The sequel to the hit comic book turned movie begins with a different vibe from the original. This issue is definitely slower than the opener for the first series and really doesn't provide any 'wow!" factors that you found in the first series or from what you would expect in a Mark Millar comic. That doesn't mean this issue isn't any good. Quite the contrary, this issue is very entertaining but it's just very different from the first series.
Kick-Ass is training with Hit Girl. Actually I guess you could say Hit Girl is training Kick-Ass much like how Hit Girl's father had trained her; ruthlessly. As Hit Girl still struggles to become some sort of normal girl, free of the violence she is also having a tough time adjusting to life with her mom and step-dad.
When not getting beaten to a pulp by Hit Girl it seems Kick-Ass is making more super hero friends. Kick-Ass manages to synch up with a guy named Doctor Gravity. Eventually the team up helps introduce Kick-Ass to his first super hero team.
The comic book has plenty of fun moments, such as Kick-Ass getting beaten on by Hit Girl or just a couple of regular street thugs. Additionally there are a few one off laughs, like Kick-Ass sleeping on the subway or Doctor Gravity's explanation of the gravity pole he carries around.
The issue doesn't have a ton of action and it certainly isn't as adult themed as the first series as the language and the violence is toned down. Still, the writing is good and there are still enough laughs to make the issue sail by.
The issue has a team of artists working on the book as Romita Jr only provides the breakdowns. The comic book is still very good artistically and presents a very good visual story but it just is not a Romita Jr book as was the case with the first series.
Millar is taking a slower approach to Kick-Ass this time around. He can afford that luxury because he's already got himself a core audience as does the book. It's hard to say where this story is going but the first issue presents a good story with a good setup of many of the major characters. I'm sure Millar has plenty of surprises for the reader in the coming issues.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
