I said it in my review of issue 1 and issue 2 dutifully confirms it, Jacamon and Matz have created a very believable world in Cyclops so much in fact that I’m finding myself much like the audience watching the exploits of Douglas Pistoia, I’m hooked and I can’t turn away from it for a second for fear of missing out on something important. Somehow Matz has also made me feel guilty while reading this book as he throws in advertisements and commentary from the host during Pistoia’s desperate struggle for survival. Unlike the audience in the book I feel awkward watching the events unfold like a TV show, whereas they became placid a long time ago. The news has become entertainment to them and it doesn’t seem to matter that the military is in control of what they, heroic acts, and what they don’t, seedy black ops assaults.  

Issue 2 picks up where issue 1 left off with Douglas and Anderson pinned down in a sniper ambush. During the course of the ambush Douglas displays his courage and bravery under fire in a heroic act in front of the cameras. It vaults him to celebrity status and a bright future, but Multicorps are playing a delicate game and Douglas must take part in a shocking event so he can be ‘tested’.  

The test will feel familiar to those who have followed the Iraq war, especially its build up and it shows that Matz isn’t afraid to comment on current socio-political issues. What was concerning was Pistoia’s compliance with the mission. Issue 1 did a good job of introducing you to Pistoia and I felt like I knew the type of person he was, especially after the heroic start to the book. Matz’s then shows a different side to him, one that seems a little colder and more calculating a side that realizes if he doesn’t do this he could lose the only job that’s available to him. It feels like Matz is presenting the same questions to the reader as to Pistoia, how would you react in this situation and how would you justify it later? Pistoia’s development is looking very interesting. 

The dialogue was okay. Matz writes in short, sharp sentences that are easy to read but sometimes it does feel like there isn’t any weight or depth behind what is being said and it’s just stock standard dialogue.  

I am a big fan of Jacamon’s artwork but I did feel that in this issue some of the action wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. The scene where the Captain uses her cloaking looked jerky. My annoyance with the soldier’s uniforms was still evident in this book, the wiggly lines for camouflage weren’t convincing and Doug’s girlfriend almost looked like an alien. Then again Jacamon’s art is so good that the only faults can be found through nit picking like this. A nice touch was the choice to not show a particular scene. You don’t have to show everything in the art for it to be effective.  

Cyclops #2 continues to have an engaging and mature story. Matz and Jacamon have created a story that I just want to read more of and hopefully in the coming issues we’ll start to get better acquainted with all the characters.