Police officers have a lot to deal with, and all of them have their own way of coping. Detective Locke’s way just happens to be a seven-foot talking panther named Spencer whom helped him deal with an abusive childhood. Can Locke get a handle on his spiraling life, or will a killer named Roach Reilly gain the upper hand? You can find out in SPENCER & LOCKE 2 #2 from Action Lab’s Danger Zone imprint when it is released on May 22nd! We got the early scoop right here!

SPENCER & LOCKE 2 #2

Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Jorge Santiago Jr.
Colors: Jasen Smith
Letters: Colin Bell
Cover: Jorge Santiago Jr.
Publisher:  Action Lab – Danger Zone
Release Date: May 22, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

Previously in SPENCER & LOCKE 2: Last issue we saw Locke dealing with the consequences of his actions in the first Spencer & Locke series. Suspended from the force and subjected to psychological evaluations, his only thoughts are of getting back his daughter, Hero, and stopping the vermin on the streets. Now that vermin has a name, Roach Reilly. Reilly is a psychopath who has been unleashed on the city to exterminate the trash and criminals, but who is pulling his strings is not clear. He has his own “imaginary friend” in the form of Major, a brutal and scarred military officer who may or may not have something to do with Reilly’s own dark origins. After a brutal battle, Reilly was subdued by Locke and taken to jail, but for how long?

VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE

The lights have come on, and the roaches are scattering. While in his prison cell, someone has arranged for a breakout and the murderous Roach Reilly takes full advantage of it. He escapes the prison, leaving a trail of bodies and debris. This does not sit well with Detective Locke, currently on suspension pending a hearing on his actions against multiple criminals. But suspension does not mean a lot to a man like Locke. He is so driven by a need to clean up the city that he hits the streets and starts looking for information, and his techniques are not subtle. They are so not subtle, that he gains the attention of his former fellow officers. Just as he makes headway on his “investigation”, officers arrive to find him submersing a suspects head in a not to clean toilet. His investigation is halted as his fellow officers draw down on him and take him into custody.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend/reporter Melinda Mercury is investigating Roach Reilly in her own way. After hitting Reilly with her news van (you did pick up the previous issue, didn’t you?) she discovers that not only did she get an audio recording of Reilly, he left something behind, a patch with a beetle and a sword. Trusting her reporter instincts, she arrives at a military base to follow up on the lead, but it may put her in more jeopardy than she knows. Some secrets are buried for a reason.

Back in the city, Locke’s hearing has been moved up. He is being taken directly to the courtroom, where he finds his own daughter, little Hero, waiting to give him support. Can even her presence and the testimony of an important citizens help Locke when the hearing takes a sudden, violent turn?

SINS OF THE FATHER SHALL BE VISITED ON THE SONS

This second issue of the second Spencer & Locke series brings the action on so quick it soon boils over. Writer/Creator David Pepose kicks the story into overdrive and you are drawn in instantly. His excellent scripting and pacing continue, and even if the last issue was your first (you really need to pick it up) you understand everything going on. As with previous issues, he draws inspiration from the newspaper funny pages that go beyond the title stars. He successfully creates alternate versions of well-known and loved characters, just different enough that they seem unique, but close enough o the source material that it becomes a quest in itself to identify them all. There is even a reference to another famous creator, and I would love for you to leave a comment below if you catch it. Overall, Pepose is succeeding with delivering an action-packed and spellbinding story.

Returning to help in that endeavor is artist Jorge Santiago Jr. and colorist Jasen Bell. Once again, Santiago delivers wonderful art accentuated with deep panel design and a sense of flow that seems effortless. Whether he is duplicating classic art styles from the newspapers or is cloaking beloved strip characters in his own style, it is solid. He provides not only classic panel design, but you get a sense of the largess of the story. Combined with Jasen Bell’s excellent colors, it all flows seamlessly and satisfyingly.

BOTTOM LINE: SENSATIONAL

The action in this issue moves at a rapid pace, and Pepose and his team of creators keep the pressure on while delivering a suspenseful read. Issues? Sure, you can find a few here and there, but there is nothing on the printed page that will cause you true grief. It is a rollercoaster ride of action and drama that will leave you waiting breathlessly for the next issue.

And that last page, oh… my… gosh. My heart sank. I really dread what may come next, but I know it will be worth it.

SPENCER & LOCKE 2 #2 continues an excellent series you should be getting. Pick it up now.