Review: A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance #2

By Will Holden

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: André Lima Araújo
Colours: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

Issue #2 of A Righteous Thirst For Vengeance picks up immediately from the events of the first one and continues the theme of art lead storytelling, at least for the first nine pages or so, where we pick up with the still unnamed protagonist (until a little later).

The plot begins to thicken here as it becomes clear that our character has more insight into the brutal deaths from the previous issue, than we were led to believe. After digging out a flash drive from a secret spot in his apartment, our unnamed character logs into a dark web site that references the murders from issue #1, how is he involved in all of this? Did he go to the house in the first issue to kill those people or to try and warn them? He accepts a new job, but whether he is hero or villain is still not known.

We then switch to the crime scene where we see the police and forensics combing over the house in the woods. Here we get some names at last: Detective Curro, Isaac and Cindy. Undoubtedly, some of these characters will feature in important ways as the story progresses. The bloody footprint left by our nameless protagonist, does not go unnoticed.

The protagonist visits his mother in an old people’s home, and we discover he is called Mr. Wen, at least this is how he is referred to. Based on the previous nefarious activities it is unclear how much of this is true. The rest of the issue shows Mr. Wen preparing for and beginning to execute whatever plan he has in mind for the new “job” he has acquired from the secret flash drive. He meets another mysterious character, apparently there to help with the supposed “hit”.

The issue ends in similar fashion to how it began, with minimal script and very strong visual storytelling. You don’t need to be told what these characters are thinking or feeling, while the finer details are yet to be revealed, the tension and fear is plastered over Mr. Wen’s face.

The art team of Andre Lima Araujo and Chris O’Halloran remains a highlight of this book, continuing the great character work and very detailed backgrounds and environments, something I am often impressed by. I didn’t mention as such in my previous review, but the lay out of the panelling is also frequently interesting, in a story so reliant on the visuals, this makes for an attractive and appealing reading experience.

The mysteries remain strong in this issue and, although we are receiving titbits of information, the draw of finding out exactly who Mr. Wen is and how he is tied up in some sort of assassin’s ring is irresistible to me. As I mentioned, I really enjoy the art and the fact it is allowed to breath without written comment, and is still so effective at providing story beats, is brilliant. Bring me more!

Rating: Highly Recommended