Roland is a down-on-his-luck space gambler and card cheat. With a large debt to pay off, he is forced to serve on the casino/prison spaceship, Lost Vegas. So far he has served five years as a servant busing tables and working for tips. Since he does not want to work at Lost Vegas forever, Roland has other plans. He hopes to escape Lost Vegas by cheating money from the casino and buying a ship. He also has help from a few friends: Ink, a telepathic, black goo alien; Rinny, the Lost Vegas mechanic; and Loria, a Lost Vegas card dealer. Equipped with a holographic collar so he can blend into Lost Vegas’s gambling crowd, Roland has all the cards to make the perfect getaway.
LOST VEGAS #2
Writer: Jim McCann
Artist: Janet Lee
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Editor: Rob Levin
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Previously in Lost Vegas: Roland is in a backwater casino trying to repay his gambling debt. When he thinks he has made a big score, he is captured by Lost Vegas. Five years later, Roland is still working as a servant and a prisoner on the casino spaceship. With the help of Rinny, Ink, and Loria, he sets his escape plan into motion. After catching an acrobatic show featuring alien beauty Kaylex, he tries to mingle with the rich gamblers of Lost Vegas. Unfortunately, his holographic collar malfunctions. Roland moves to the ship landing bay to fix his collar, only to be caught by Lost Vegas security.
A PRISON BREAK AND A HEIST. . .IN SPACE
Jim McCann’s Lost Vegas #2 continues Roland’s space adventure on Lost Vegas. This comic borrows and blends several elements from famous movies such as the casino heist from Ocean’s Eleven and a similar spaceship backdrop from The Fifth Element. It also features planning similar to a prison break movie. However, the plot is disjointed and confusing at times. The writer uses terms that no one understands, like Ensign and Nighthawks. These are established concepts within this universe that are in need of explanation. Without a proper understanding of the terms, it is harder to make any sense of the comic. The plot also lacks an understanding of gambling and how casinos are run. A space casino should have security cameras and surveillance 24/7. They would be able to spot a black goo alien stealing chips from other gamblers or a gambler cheating to win. Another problem with Lost Vegas is that Roland and the other characters are very one-dimensional. As the main character, Roland narrates the entire issue. His dry narration lacks substance. Still, his motivations are very clear, unlike his friends. They do not have established personalities so it is difficult to determine their roles and motives in Roland’s plot. I think it is money but it is hard to tell. The ending clears up a few plot points but it takes focus away from the main goal, which is escaping Lost Vegas. Suddenly, Roland has a change of heart and desires revenge. This sudden switch makes no sense.
HAZY, LAVA-LAMP ART STYLE
Janet Lee employs a milky, brightly colored art style to Lost Vegas. Unfortunately, the art is a distraction instead of a benefit. Many of the characters are disproportioned. The colors help identify each character but the asymmetrical aliens and humanoids are very noticeable. It is also hard to follow what is happening in the plot due to the poor designs. There are a variety of aliens in Lost Vegas. Most are original and creative but, due to the irregular and inconsistent art style, it is insignificant.
BOTTOM LINE: LOST VEGAS IS LOST
Lost Vegas has all the elements to make a great comic book series. Due to a poorly laid out plot and irregular art, it falls short on expectations. It is confusing, to the point of frustration. There are better science-fiction comics in the market right now that are better than Lost Vegas. I do not see this comic being more than just a mini-series.
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