One of the greatest plot devices used in stories are secrets. Secrets usually comprise parts of a larger mystery, riving protagonists towards the truth. What really makes heroes usually in these journeys are the choices they make and the consequences which follow once they find out the truth. The self-righteous ideological heroes always want to expose the truth.

The pragmatist heroes usually dispose of all evil doers right there and then, much like Moon Knight and the Punisher. The problem with both types of heroes always come back to the consequences, as those in power usually wants to keep everything status quo. The reality is truth and morality rarely play in the same arena and even rarer, do either ever get realized. This is what plays out in the second volume of VRICA: Ascension Protocol, as we catch up with the team 5 years later.

In the second volume, the team’s intentions are questioned and even vilified in front of national television as Dark Wolf’s past sins weigh heavy on him. We are introduced to a WWII threat, known as Kraegeries, which consumed 10000 Jewish prisoners’ souls to power these gundam type robots, a gift from Hitler to then prime minister of India. An old girlfriend form Dark Wolf’s pops back into his life just when he must endure a fire fight with Sabnacks, the earliest meta human units, which were deployed to attack VRICA, uncovering a plan that one of Pakistan’s generals were planning a nuclear attack on India. By the end of this volume, the back and forth between present and past, converge, to explain the future evil that lies, the next super soldier.

Overall, a great installment, as this just ups the stakes for all the characters involved and gives the reader a great backstory but even more dire consequences within a historical and geopolitical context. The story by Aniruddho Chakraborty is both heart pounding and intellectually stimulating. The art by Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu is simple yet derivative. Altogether, this ride just got faster, with more twists than advertised.

Story: Aniruddho Chakraborty Art: Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy