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ThunderCats #2 has some interesting moments but is a bit too predictable

ThunderCats #2

In the aftermath of his first battle with the Mu’Tants, Lion-O attempts to use the Sight Beyond Sight to ask for guidance from their lost leader, Jaga. The vision he receives instead leads the ThunderCats to discover another Thundarian survivor on Third Earth! Meanwhile, Slithe and his Mu’Tant band have discovered the pyramid of Mumm Ra – and they’re about to learn firsthand how dangerous the Ever-Living one can be! ThunderCats #2 isn’t bad but overall is a bit too predictable.

Written by Declan Shalvey, ThunderCats #2 is an entertaining comic and has some fantastic moments but is hampered with plot points that you can see coming from a mile away. The comic, like the debut issue, invokes a style that hearkens back to the television show. There’s some moments that feel classic in some ways but it takes the easy route.

Where Shalvey’s take really stands out is its interaction between the ThunderCats themselves. Lion-O is a leader who is young and untested and attempting to organize a group that is thrust in a difficult situation. Their base is tattered, supplies limited, they’re marooned and besieged. They’re off their game and Lion-O’s inexperience isn’t helping. It leads to friction in the team and some disagreement about priorities and how to handle things. It feels right for a group in this situation and shows some good character growth and depth. Lion-O will need to learn how to lead and Shalvey’s focus on a kid suddenly thrusted to being a man is the best part of the series.

That inexperience leads Lion-O dive into the deep end when it comes to a brand-new character. While the rest of the team is skeptical, it’s clear and pretty obvious there’s more to this new mysterious character. It all feels like it’d fit quite well in the animated series but it all is a bit all too obvious as to where it’s going.

The art by Drew Moss is good. With color by Ciara Di Francia and Martina Pignedoli and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry, the comic has a look slightly different than the traditional from the animated show and toys, but still good. For the most part everyone looks like their classic self but there’s some small changes. The only gripe is things are a bit too neat and tidy right now. The ThunderCats and even the Mu’Tant ship all feel a bit too organized and not haggard enough. The world itself comes off as dusty and grimy but that doesn’t extend to the ThunderCats or base.

ThunderCats #2, like the debut, shows potential. There’s some things that are fantastic but there’s also aspects that feel a bit too easy. Like the sword shattering in the first issue, the comic goes for plots that are predictable and the narrative itself has a choppy aspect at times, like a record skipping a bit. It’s a series that feels like it can be tightened just a bit and it’d be one that stands out on the shelf.

Story: Declan Shalvey Art: Drew Moss
Color: Ciara Di Francia, Martina Pignedoli Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.15 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: TFAWZeus ComicsKindle

ThunderCats #1 kicks off a new era for the beloved franchise

ThunderCats #1

ThunderCats #1 has a tough task. It kicks off a new era for a franchise that has had a resurgence in toys but hasn’t had much else for some time. It’s a property full of nostalgia. And, as a new series, it must play to long time fans as well as welcome new readers for something that originally launched nearly 40 years ago. Written by Declan Shalvey, ThunderCats #1 does a decent job of delivering a balance that sets up what’s to come and establishes what this take of ThunderCats is about.

I wasn’t the biggest ThunderCats fan, but remember watching the animated series in the 80s and had some of the toys. There were other 80s cartoons I was far more into. But, I remember the basics of who the good guys and bad guys are and the general personalities. The specifics, that eludes me. Thankfully, ThunderCats #1 delivers all of that, focusing on the ThunderCats escape from their dying world and being attacked, eventually winding up on Third Earth. But beyond that, the rest feels new and fresh and I have no idea how much has changed and how much remains the same.

Shalvey’s main focus seems to be Lion-O, the leader of the ThunderCats. In this take Lion-O aged up during his space travel, creating a man without the experience of his years. Lion-O is also forced into leadership, though it’s never quite explained why this has to be. That’s part of the issue with the debut, there’s a lot packed in and a lot delivered in broad strokes. It feels like the comic rushes through some of its more interesting aspects to get to its “shocking” ending. That creates for a somewhat choppy read.

The art by Drew Moss to isn’t quite as consistent as I’d hope. While the characters are familiar and overall the comic looks good, there’s slight panels where the characters don’t quite look themselves. It’s small quibbles and here but it’s noticeable. The interior doesn’t quite have the polish of the covers or the excitement and like the story itself, the art feels a little choppy at times. With color by Chiara Di Francia and Martina Pignedoli, and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry, the overall looks is good but not great. Moments that should pop, don’t. There’s nothing visually that I get excited about.

ThunderCats #1 is a good start that lays the groundwork for what’s to come. It mostly rushes through it’s story to get to its finale which is the real hook for what’s to come. It teases too much and doesn’t focus enough on what makes the debut comic truly interesting. It’s a bit scattered. But still, it’s nice to see this classic property return and as a debut, it’s more than enough to see what comes next.

Story: Declan Shalvey Art: Drew Moss
Color: Chiara Di Francia, Martina Pignedoli Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 7.35 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.2 Recommendation: Read

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: Zeus Comics