Skyward #2
Created, Written & Illustrated by Jeremy Dale
Colored by Steve Downer
Lettered by Thom Zahler
Cover by Jeremy Dale and Steve Downer
Action Lab Comics
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

Issue number one of Skyward set the stage for what seems to be an epic fantasy tale for all ages. Action Lab has just released Skyward #2 from creator Jeremy Dale; but does it hold up to the quality of the previous installment?

When Richard, the town regent, hears word of the devastating events that took place in issue one, he sends out a search party to find Quinn. Richard’s eager teenage daughter, Abigail””a hunter and tracker””leads the expedition along with her friend Jon and his father, Tanner. As the group follows Quinn’s tracks, it eventually becomes clear that Quinn was chased by Slog-Riders and as they continue along Quinn’s route, the three make a terrifying discovery. Meanwhile, returning to his army’s camp, Herod receives word from the kings’ messengers, The Vox, that the kings are not happy with Herod’s procrastination of invasion.

Skyward #2 is certainly a mixed bag. While Dale mainly spends the issue introducing new characters into the mix””which is surely needed for story progression””I felt it lacking the excitement and draw of the first issue. I was happy to find new “good-guys” and “bad-guys” within the issue and look forward to seeing their character development as the series continues. It was also enjoyable seeing the interesting way in which Dale was able to incorporate Quinn’s character through Abigail’s thought processes; however, the issue as a whole seemed to be little more than an avenue for presenting the rest of the cast.

Dale’s art excels in this issue just as in the last. With any given situation and character involved, body language and facial expressions are spot on in every panel. His use of close up shots invited me into the conversations and brought me along in the search for Quinn.

With a solid first issue and less stellar second issue, Skyward is, at the moment, simply a decent series. Drawing similarities from many high fantasy concepts, with a strong resemblance to Final Fantasy, I think it has the potential for greatness. It’s hard to judge a comic after only two issues, but hopefully as the series moves forward””ideally beginning with issue three””it will find its niche and begin its journey toward becoming an epic.