Velvet #2

by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting & Elizabeth Breitweiser

After such an incredible first issue, many people were excited to see what Velvet‘s second issue would hold. This issue picks up on the action packed note the previous issue ended on while also elaborating on the three big mysteries of who is Velvet Templeton really, who is framing her and why?

After a close friend who was a field agent died on a mission, Velvet has looked into the case and got more than she bargained for. Now that she is in deep enough to get these murders pinned on her, she is on her own using her field skills she hasn’t used for awhile which seem to come back to her like riding a bike, or in this case a motorcycle. Brubaker does an amazing job of putting a lot of substance in this issue without bogging it down. Having ended the last issue on a bit of a cliffhanger we get to see some action with Velvet escaping from the scene of her mentor’s murder which she seems to now be framed for. There was also a lot more elaboration on Velvet’s past of being an incredibly efficient field agent but the mystery of how she went from spy to secretary is still kept in the dark for now.

Epting’s incredible attention to detail and his realistic art style is so perfect for this series. Each panel looks like it’s an actual photo which makes this series fell like an actual espionage movie. Speaking of movies this issue contains some excellent action scenes of Velvet making her escape from her fellow agents from ARC-7, that Epting paces so well and makes everything flow smoothly. From small panels showing Velvet remembering her training to an entire two pages showing some of her big field missions over time when she was in her prime. The art in Velvet is some of the most consistent and realistic art you can find in an indie comic on the shelves right now, next to maybe Lazarus.

Most series that have a strong first issue sometimes don’t live up to the hype with the second and vice versa but Velvet‘s second issue is a great follow up to a strong first. This is looking to be a real solid and engaging series that most people will be able to find some enjoyment in. This is a series that you can introduce to people who “don’t like comics” and completely change their minds and views on the medium in general. Velvet is an example of simplicity done well by two professionals in their fields and making this story universally accessible to anyone who enjoys an action thriller no matter the medium.