2. Manifest Destiny #2 by Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts (Image)
If Manifest Destiny #1 started slowly picking up speed towards the end, #2 hits the ground running and finishes at a blistering sprint. The first issue was mostly a lot of necessary table-setting as writer Chris Dingess introduced the characters and the story, allowing for a much more eventful and fast-paced second issue. Set in the early 19th century, the famous American explorers Lewis and Clark are discovering the western half of America doesn't contain the expected Indians and buffalo, but mythological creatures that are actually real! After dissecting the half-man/half-buffalo they killed at the end of the first issue, Lewis and Clark make for the outpost settlement of La Charette. But the appearance of an unexpected beautiful young woman and her apparent suicide by jumping from a cliff signals that from here on out, Lewis and Clark have entered a strange new world - one they may never leave alive! After the attack of the lone buffalotaur at the end of the first issue, another wave of similarly dangerous creatures is unleashed on our heroes and their crew leading to an absolutely thrilling chase sequence through the woods to La Charette. Dingess reveals more odd creatures with the young woman who appears to be a wood nymph, or Swamp Thing-esque being, though whether she's benign or aggressive like the buffalotaurs is anyone's guess at this point. And what was the purpose of the drop from the cliff? Was she killed? And why was Lewis spared by the female centaur? Curiouser and curiouser... The story is really great but, like the first issue, the standout for me is Matthew Roberts' incredible artwork. The creature designs are terrifying, with just enough human features to their looming animalistic appearances to seem nightmarish and like our ancestors in Ancient Greece and Egypt were depicting real beings. The scenery too is gorgeous - that page where the woman jumps off the cliff? Such a horrific act stands in stark contrast to the beautiful sunset against the breathtaking landscape. I can't do it justice in this review but really, this comic has some absolutely stunning art. Manifest Destiny #2 is a terrific comic that kicks the series into high gear with a number of excellent scenes that are exciting, mysterious, and horrific at different moments. Add in Matthew Roberts' superb artwork and this issue firmly establishes Manifest Destiny as one of the most exciting new titles that you should definitely check out.