TerrorWar #2

Lotusland Comics

'Terrowar' debuted with a lot of promise. It has a sense of coolness from its premise to the execution of action that energizes the futuristic dystopian genre. A team of Terrofighters that fight Terrors that manifest from people's fears is a unique way to introduce some creatively designed monsters and action sequences. In issue two, Saladin Ahmed relies a little too much on fighting alone as Muhammad's crew takes on their rivals. That's not to say it's a bad issue. It just doesn't have the same energy as the first issue as there's no build-up to the events and doesn't provide more character development. The issue is all about the two crews, one imposing themselves over the other because one is sanctioned and the other isn't. It sets the stage for a great battle but it's not long until another battle ensues. There isn't a lot of room for growth or advancement of the story beyond these crews. This amazing future world feels small when it should be explored and developed some more. The art is still stellar. Perhaps not as dynamic as the first issue because there's no visually arresting monster this time but the pacing and fight choreography still shine. Dave Acosta, Jay Leisten, and Walter Pereyra make an impressive team. 'Terrowar' offers an exciting second issue but doesn't add more development for its characters or its remarkably designed world. Great action and emerging characters make it worth following still so issue three should determine the viability of the series going forward.

COMICON

The story picks up immediately after the last issue, with Muhammad Cho and his team of specially-gifted contractors who can hurt the manifestations of terrors with so-called brain bullets. This terrorfighter team has defeated the latest group of terrors and now faces another team that want to steal their bounty. A battle ensues. Then they rest. Then there’s another battle. We don’t end up learning much more than that over the course of the issue, which is odd given the series is still in its infancy. Unfortunately, the action alone isn’t enough to carry the story, The artwork – created by the team of penciler Dave Acosta, inker Jay Leisten and colorist Walter Pereyra – is just OK this time around. The initial battle is a bit confusing to follow. And when the entire issue hangs on the on that battle, it better be spectacular. In fact, it’s remarkable how the quality of the artwork has diminished since the first issue. In that chapter, the illustrations were a high point. Vast futuristic cityscapes dominated the pages. Here, though, it’s just fighting. It’s as if the art team put all their efforts into the premiere issue and rushed to complete the follow-up. Saladin Ahmed’s script, which was interesting in the initial issue, is pedestrian this time around. He has built a cool world but doesn’t significantly advance the plot here. It’s a shame, given the Blade Runner vibe he was previously channeling. One rough issue doesn’t make a bad series, and there is still time to turn this TerrorWar around. But the clock is ticking.

ComicBook.com

I really wanted to feel sorry for Muhammad and his Terror-hunting squad after getting their bounty poached by another team, but the fight sequence came off stilted and formulaic. And to make the matter even worse, they have to be rescued by the same group that stole their bounty by the end of the issue. There's just too many characters to keep track of this early in the story, and a death goes by so quick that we can't even mourn them.