Still working towards her dreams of meeting screaming pain ball superstar Skull-Crusher, Trini Wastlander has recruited the murderous Twins and former coach Blood-Bone to join her team. Missing a few players, she hopes to convince rising star Cutter Dan to join her quest of playing against her hero and crush. As the odds get more difficult for the fledgling team, Trini has to give all she can to succeed and showcase their potential for winning. Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno take the reader deeper into the sports-filled apocalyptic wasteland of I Heart Skull-Crusher #2.
Campbell introduces more world-building elements in the second issue, which deepens my interest in learning more about this apocalyptic world. Already centering society around a deadly sports game provides a fascinating angle on this archetype. Still, she further develops it in minor ways, such as introducing mutants and the economic classes of screaming pain ball teams. The mix of comedy, sports anime tropes, and the apocalyptic setting provides a unique tone to the comic that makes me more interested. More importantly, Campbell commits to treating the outrageous elements entirely seriously regarding the story setting, which makes it funnier. She embraces the madcap chaos of the wasteland where anything could happen and does not feel out of place from what she has crafted.
I also appreciate Campbell’s not shying away from Trini’s earnestness as a compelling protagonist. I am a big fan of Trini due to her passion for the game and her dreams of meeting Skull-Crusher and it being extraordinarily relatable, honest, and heartfelt. Her goals are both understandable and personal, which a lot of people can feel a connection to. She wants to do the impossible and continually demonstrates how far she will go for it while never losing her convictions. Most of all, her care for her new and potential friends contributes to her likability as a character when it could have been easy to portray her dreams through a purely cynical lens, Campbell refutes that showcases the importance of heartfelt and earnest hope.
Zonno’s art still amazes me and helps define the series’ distinct look. His work is filled with plenty of kinetic action, expressive emotions, and unique designs for the characters and world, which matches not only Campbell’s tone but also character writing. He does not shy away from the heightened world and makes the reader wonder how much stranger the wasteland can be. Angel De Santiago’s colors make Zonno’s work stand out and help the otherworldly elements pop. The pair, along with Jim Campbell’s letters, expertly visually define the world and make it come to life.
I Heart Skull-Crusher #2 is a solid follow-up to the premiere issue as Trini works harder to achieve her dreams. The combination of tones, settings, and strong visuals make it an enjoyable and thrilling book to read. With heartfelt conviction and hard work, you can truly achieve anything.
Story: Josie Campbell Art: Alessio Zonno
Color: Angel De Santiago Letterer: Jim Campbell
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Read
BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
