Orphan and the Five Beasts #2 from Dark Horse Comics comes out on April 21 to comic stores. James Stokoe builds off of the last issue’s events to present an even bigger conflict.
Orphan and the Five Beasts #2: A Bigger Direction
Stokoe gives a quick backstory, to issue villain Thunder Thighs, that gives a surprising amount of story depth. Instead of displaying Thunder Thighs as another evil warlord, his corruption came from something anyone can experience. Without going into spoilers, this once noble warrior is more memorable as a warning for future reference than simply someone to kill off.
The reader is left to wonder what lies ahead after Orphan and the Five Beasts #2. Not only does Orphan Mo have to face four more deadly combatants, but she’s in danger of going down Thunder Thigh’s path. While she has the discipline the Five Beasts lack from their master, does she have a future waiting for her?
One Person Does All Of This?
Stokoe is really proving himself to be a great artist in Orphan and the Five Beasts #2. The scale and grotesque imagery of Thunder Thighs displays the threat Orphan Mo faces. The reader empathizes with the much smaller Mo in her face off with Thunder Thighs. It’s what allows them to share Mo’s awareness of the area. A tall bell tower doesn’t just become a decoration, it becomes a point of strategy against Thighs’ mighty force. But that doesn’t stop surprise events from transpiring because Mo is doing everything to hide her attack plan from everyone, including the reader.
That earlier mentioned bell has a green and yellow coloring that looks like a point of safety. Unlike the red and orange coloring accompanying Thunder Thighs and his threat to smash and crush everything he touches.
The sound effects, meanwhile, display Thunder Thighs as something barely human. His laugh becomes so loud and powerful in battle, word balloons can’t contain them. So Orphan Mo must use spear fighting techniques that make noises just as loud to even hurt him.
Can You Get Orphan and the Five Beasts #2?
Orphan and the Five Beasts #2 continues to keep reader’s utmost attention in this absurd epic. With a display of characterization of a villain, he becomes more memorable than something that needs to be killed off. Because his story serves as a warning for the protagonist and for anyone else who may lose their way.
