Review: Ascender #2

Lucas Fashina

6 years ago

Published by Image comics, writer Jeff Lemire, artist Dustin Nguyen, with lettering and design by Steve Wands.

Previously in Ascender #1, We met Mila a young girl on the Planet of Samson formerly the largest planet in the United Galactic Alliance, home of the largest military and home to the largest population of humans but now that has been devastated a pre-technology devolution promulgated by a cult of vampires.,called the Harvesters.Â Where as before he who had the best technology was king, now he who is closest the faith and religion thrives. As a result Mila suffers because her father prefers to go off grid, then to participate in society ruled by vampires.

CurrentlyÂ in Ascender #2, the focus switches to the Harvester vampires in their quest to rid the galaxy of robot technology. We meet the leadership of the Gnish who have been charged with hunting down and destroying the remaining robots.Â We also get a glimpse of the power that the Mother of the vampire wields and her determination to see the mission through.Â This mission makes Mila and her father destined to be on a crash course of conflict with the Mother and the Harvesters.

So, far it’s still impressive how well Jeff Lemire world builds while at the same time moves the story along in a meaningful and entertaining way.

The panels drawn by Dustin Nguyen are incredible as ever especially when you consider that he is delivering cover art quality to interior panels. The only issue that I have is that I’m not sure that Mila has quite found a distinctive look yet. But I trust that it will happen as the story progresses.

Going forward its not hard to envision this Space Opera about a little girl trying to survive in a world run by vampires being turned in a script.Â Why not ?Â Sony bought the rights to adapt its predecessor Descender to film based on the first issue alone.Â Jesse Wigutow has been tapped to adaptÂ Descender,Â Josh Bratman will produce the Sony project under his Immersive Pictures banner with Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, the comic“s co-creator and artist, executive producing.

Its not a sure thing to start speculating on AscenderÂ yet. Ascender #1Â print run was about 20,000 copies. Though there is a Diamond Retailer Summit variant that you might want to keep an eye out for.

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(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Dustin Nguyen