The first Ambassador has been chosen. I sure hope it’s not Augustus Gloop! Your Major Spoilers review of The Ambassadors #2 from Image Comics awaits!

THE AMBASSADORS #2

Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Karl Kerschl
Colorist: Michele Assarasakorn
Letterer: Clem Robins
Editor: Sarah Unwin
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2023

Previously in The Ambassadors: The six best people in the world will be given superpowers by a Korean billionaire who’s cracked the superhuman code. First up is an Ambassador for India and his training at their secret Antarctic base. Are you ready to meet Codename India?

JUST LIKE WILLIAM WONKA

Last time, Choon-He revealed that not only has she cracked the code for building superhumans, but she is going to choose six people to join her as the superhero protectors of the world. Though applications are flooding in, she’s having issues finding the appropriate candidates. That’s where Binnu comes in. Though he’s hardly exceptional in any way (he sells cellular equipment in Delhi, and even refers to HIMSELF as “the asshole from the phone store,” when he finds himself in the middle of a terrorist attack, he does the right thing. Unfortunately, his willingness to sacrifice himself for the life of the girl he loves from afar only gets him shot, but it does bring him to Choon-He’s attention. One week later, he’s on his feet again, meeting with the reclusive billionaire in her Antarctic stronghold, learning the ins and outs of his new superpowers.

Of course, there are a few things that she hasn’t told him.

LESS CALCULATED THAN RECENT MILLAR

In recent years, there have been limited kinds of Mark Millar protagonists, with most falling into the amoral bastard horror show and the emotionless robot categories. Choon-He fits more into the latter category, but there’s still room for her to exhibit her Machiavellian tendencies as we go. As for Binnu, his ascension as the first costumed hero is unexpected for me, as he seems to be a truly likable human being whose relative normalcy is much appreciated within this narrative. Kerschl’s art adds a lot to that assessment, showing us his mundane life in great detail before the violence kicks in, and his reunion with Gita is both heartbreaking and emotionally perfect. Even the unexpected final twist doesn’t break the spell that this issue weaves.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS HAS POTENTIAL

My love/hate relationship with the work of Mark Millar sometimes makes his books difficult to appreciate, but The Ambassadors #2 hits a real sweet spot, combining nuanced and detailed art with a story that so far falls on the idealistic side of the spectrum, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. I really like where this one is going so far, and hope that when it’s all over, I feel the same way.

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