REVIEW: Cyclops #2

Matz and Luc Jacamon explore the implications of what happens when greedy corporations are in charge of our armed forces. Are these wars being fought for peace or for profit? And does Cyclops #2 live up to the terrific debut issue? Read our review to find out.

CYCLOPS #2
Writer: Matz
Artist: Luc Jacamon
Cover Art: Luc Jacamon
Design and Letters: Scott Newman
Editor: Rebecca Taylor
Publisher: Archaia Comics
Price: $3.99

Previously in Cyclops: Douglas Pistoia is a member of Multicorps Security, a company in charge of fighting the United Nation’s wars for them. These wars are also broadcast all over the world in a twisted version of reality TV. As the most marketable member of Multicorps, Pistoia is thrust into the spotlight as he soon discovers that war equals ratings.

An Unnerving Story Of A Possible Future

In the debut issue of Cyclops, Matz laid the groundwork for a futuristic tale about a greedy military with an eye for profits. Sending out soldiers armed with guns and cameras, Multicorps Security is not only looking to fight wars but also to produce big money reality TV footage from their battles. To Multicorps, only the soldiers who are marketable to a TV audience are truly protected and looked after.

Matz’s portrayal of an evil corporation may be commonplace in comics but the biggest difference is how close to home this series hits. Matz truly captures a cold and uncaring corporation with a realistic touch without ever painting them as two dimensional or cartoony.

The events in this book are not as farfetched as many other comics featuring amoral corporations either. In the real world, the military only lets certain journalists cover wars and only a certain amount of what these journalists learn ever actually reaches the public. Matz takes this concept and amplifies it to tell an entertaining story all while sending a warning about the way the world gets its news about war. When the military is in charge of the information getting out should any of that information really be trusted? That is the question that Matz wrestles with this whole issue.

Another very interesting conflict in the story is the way Douglas Pistoia’s character changes his views on Multicorps over time. In the first issue he takes the job at Multicorps only to pay the bills. Now he is easily being swayed by his bosses with the promise of more money and celebrity status, despite the horrendous and brutal massacre he and his platoon commit. With a worried girlfriend at home it’s going to be interesting to see how this changes their relationship as the money and celebrity go to his head.

Stylized Art With A Touch Of Brutality

In the last issue, Luc Jacamon’s art was easily the part of the book, and this issue is no different. His sleek portrayal of futuristic tech and buildings offers a glimpse at a world where beauty and convenience certainly hold sway. And then on the opposite side of the planet his brutal war scenes not only capture the violence of war but also the physical ugliness. His war torn countries are gray and drab in complete contrast with the bright and hopeful looking American cities. These gray scenes are often broken up by a bright blotch of red blood that spurts out whenever a bullet finds its mark. This bright blood breaks up the monotony of a gray battlefield and calls attention to every wound no matter how insignificant.

Despite the great art by Jacamon there are, however, two problems with it. The last three pages of the issue features a lot of floating head dialogue scenes that aren’t pulled off that well. Everyone in the scene seems to have the same all-white smile and there is very little distinction between individual facial expressions. Also the futuristic military uniforms tend to look a little too similar to the outfits seen in the HALO video game series. While the soldiers are all illustrated masterfully, it is a little distracting when they look so similar to HALO.

BOTTOM LINE: PICK IT UP!!!

There is no reason not to try this book. It’s telling a unique and gripping tale with fantastic art and social resonance. It’s a nice change of pace from the current slate of comics on the shelf and it’s a great way to get into indie comics.