Review: Phoenix Song: Echo #2

Story Thus far:

As an infant, in 1,000,000 BC a woman named Firehair (Marvel Legacy #1, September 2017), was abandoned by her parents. She was saved by a mutant called the Walker and joined his tribe of mutants before eventually killing him. Distraught, she tried to commit suicide at the Burning place but was saved and bonded by the Phoenix Force, to use her to fulfill its intended purpose, razing the planet to ashes.

Fast Forward to present day where deaf Mutant, Maya Lopez Daredevil (Vol. 2) #9 (May 1999) became bonded to the Phoenix, after the Phoenix Force returned to Earth, to stage a contest to determine its next host, Namor killed Echo and left her for dead. The Phoenix resurrected Echo and chose her as its host.

In the current issue of Phoenix Song: Echo #2, Maya seeks help in controlling the Phoenix from Riverwalker, (Phoenix Song: Echo #1) a Cheyenne man who can see a person’s family tree. An ability called Ancestral Time-walking When his powers are enhanced, he can time travel.

River has been haunted by his own past in the form of the Adversary ( Uncanny X-Men #188) (December 1984) a shadow entity since he was five. The entity promised River that he could give him back his dead parent if he kills Echo. But seeing as how the Phoenix could just resurrect, he the adversary wants to kill off the whole blood line.

Script:

It has too many mechanical issues to get where it wants to go. ROANHORSE has decided to ignore some of the basic tenets of time travel. That I have no problem with. (Spoiler)The Adversary kills Mayas Mother, so her father is no longer her father. HUH? I appreciated the fact that at certain points the writer reminded the audience that Echo is deaf. But a weakness is like a Chekhov Gun. You can’t bring it up if it doesn’t have a bearing on the story.

Art:

The art by Luca Maresca, Kyle Charles pulled back a little from the outstanding panels from issue #1 , for the sake of story. Still technically sound though. What is the deal with the character design for the adversary. I this supposed to be a warrior , or is it supposed to be a Shaman? What’s with the black leather hotpants?

Covers:

PHOENIX SONG ECHO #2 (OF 5, has 2 covers: CVR A by Derrick Chew; CVR B by Cory Smith.

Speculation:

1st appearance of the Light Horsemen, a cameo of someone with a connection to Echo’s Ancestors. As the story progresses eyes should stay on the Phoenix Song #1 Vega 1:25, because it does have a cameo of her ancestors. Avengers #44 1:10 1st Echo as Phoenix Garron Design. Additionally, Avengers #44 1:10 1st Echo as Phoenix Garron Design and the AVENGERS #44 MOMOKO VIRGIN VAR

SCORE: 3 stars out of 5. A lot of potential to be a really great series, just needs to be a little clearer on the mechanics.

Writer: REBECCA ROANHORSE

Artist(s): LUCA MARESCA & KYLE CHARLES

Colorist(s): CARLOS LOPEZ & BRYAN VALENZA

Letterer: VC’S Ariana Maher

GENRE: Action, Superhero, Native American Mythology, Science Fiction, Drama

Publisher: Marvel Comics