What is the secret of the BCV-Burton? Your Major Spoilers review of The Orville #2 awaits!
THE ORVILLE #2
Writer: David A. Goodman
Artist: David Cabeza
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Editor: Dave Marshall
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 14, 2019
Previously in The Orville: After crash-landing on a desolate planet, Ed and Gordon are taken in by some friendly locals who reveal an unexpected food source. Then, while investigating the cause of their crash, the fate of a long-lost Union vessel is revealed. Will a dark history repeat itself as Kelly and the Orville crew search for the missing pair?
STRANDED ON A STRANGE DESERT PLANET
After being shot down, Captain Mercer and Gordon have been befriended by an alien race (who are very clearly modeled on penguins, making for some of the cutest aliens in memory) who live around the wreck of an ancient Union battleship. Every morning, the Chogs make their way to the mess hall for sustenance, and it soon becomes clear that the ship’s cannon is what shot down their shuttle. They try to explore, but find their hosts adamant that no one enter “the food place” at non-food times, leading them to sneak in. Mercer finds a recording from the original crew, explaining that their ship crashed and the leaking quantum drive was slowly poisoning the planet, which would doom the poor cute Chogs. The crew rigged up the replicators and defense systems to protect them little aliens, and Ed & Gordon realize that they may be able to repair the damage to the ship and the planet… just before The Chogs attack en masse, rendering them both unconscious. When he awakens, Captain Mercer tries to explain the truth before The Orville arrives and gets shot down as well!
ALWAYS BEWARE THE CUTE ONES
I’ve said since the beginning of the show that ‘The Orville’ reminds me of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ in all the right ways, and it’s easy to imagine this issue starring Will Riker and Geordi LaForge. Even if the big twist seems obvious to me, it’s fun to see the characters putting the pieces together and the fact that, even with their ship nearly destroyed and their crew dead, I really love that the Union officers’ first thought was to protect the natives as best they could. David Cabeza’s art captures the likenesses of the crew well (especially Seth McFarlane’s Mercer) but where it really excels is in the depiction of technology and the futuristic spaceship interiors, which is the real test of a science fiction comic book. It’s also fun to see the moments that happened between season one and two, such as the establishment of First Officer Grayson’s relationship with Cassius and the family life of Commander Bortus.
BOTTOM LINE: BETTER IN LIVE-ACTION, BUT NOT BAD AT ALL
Because of the strange numbering/titling of this issue (the official solicited title seems to be “The Orville #2: New Beginnings Part 2 of 2”), I’m not certain if the Orville’s comic adventures are ongoing, limited or something in-between, but I really enjoyed this issue’s art and the clever old-school clockworks of the story. Fans of the series should check this out, but The Orville #2 should be accessible to new readers as well, delivering a clear story, smart characterization and well-done art, earning a well-deserved 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. If you miss more traditional Trek, this may be the book for you.
Dear Spoilerite,
At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.
THE ORVILLE #2
Fans of old-school Trek should dig this, and if you love the show, you'll enjoy this issue.
-
Writing7
-
Art8
-
Coloring7
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.