Guardian Zawa is free, and she is hangry! Can the kids figure out what happened in their escapade? Find out more in Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 by BOOM! Studios.

ZAWA + THE BELLY OF THE BEAST #2 (OF 5)

Writer: Michael Dialynas
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Colorist: Michael Dialynas
Letterer: Michael Dialynas
Editor: Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 13th, 2023

Previously in Zawa: Bandit and Thatcher are siblings living in Mesa’s Boon. Their dad used to cook in the factories before he passed, and now their mother works long hours. With their friend Leo, they rob a factory to get better cooking ingredients but inadvertently free a creature.

THE CONSEQUENCE

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 starts with Thatcher, Bandit, and Leo trying to understand what happened at the factory and the creature Bandit saw. As they prepare to settle in for the night, they see Zawa and start to take care of her. Realizing she may be a guardian, Bandit feeds her from their father’s cookbook they found in the factory. Thatcher has a personality change; instead of being cynical, she seems hopeful, even participating in traditional rituals about asking Zawa for help to stop the Mayor. However, the Mayor prepares to send his cronies to find her.

A LOT OF INTERESTING IDEAS

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 develops well from the first issue, introduces a definitive antagonist, and provides good characterization for both Thatcher and Zawa. I think reading books from single creators rather than creative teams is interesting. This book has a unique style, a mix of cartoony and realism, with a sense of simplicity but complex ideas of dystopia. The story revolves around stopping a corrupt Mayor while also solving problems with an omelet with a smiley face, and I find that idea difficult to balance. It’s challenging to pinpoint a specific identity between the writing and the art, but that also brings a sense of uniqueness. I must note that I have a review copy of this book, and the art style isn’t conducive to the large watermark on every PDF page. So, sometimes, I was overwhelmed by the colors of the page, which may have distracted me from the larger picture. However, the linework and writing are unique and well done.

BOTTOM LINE: I LIKE IT

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 is an excellent story, but the pacing of the narrative arc feels conducive to a trade paperback. Despite that, I immensely enjoyed this book and think it’s a worthy pick-up. I give this comic 4 out of 5 stars.

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