KNIGHT CITY #2 (DARK HORSE COMICS)
If you ever wondered what makes a super villain tick, this issue tackles just that. Zero is obsessed with taking out the Knight and he will follow him into whatever world or situation he needs to do so. Will his evil plan accomplish his goals, or will it drive him even further into madness?
Knight City #1 – Written & Colors By Matt Kindt – Art By David Lapham – Color Assists By Sophia Hilmes - Letters By Josh Reed - Edited By Daniel Chabon - Published By Dark Horse Comics
Credit: Dark Horse Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
Zero reveals that he is a billionaire tech guy who was responsible for building the Knight’s sleeping unit. Due to this he has been able to scan the Knight in his most vulnerable state. This is how he found out about the Knight’s dream world. Because of this he is able to enter this world as a guy named Nil and befriend the Knight’s avatar Carl because they are neighbors. He discovers that the Knight can be hurt in this world and plans on using this as a way to final rid himself of his foe. At the same time, he has seduced a therapist from the real world and has her spying on the Knight. But he has more nefarious plans in store, if his thesis stands up to the test.
WRITING:
The second issue of this series gives us the opposite side of the coin as it mostly follows the villain Zero. Matt Kindt does an awesome job of showing what makes Zero tick and the lengths he will go to in accomplishing his ultimate goal. The ruthlessness that is on display from Zero goes to show how truly evil this villain is. Kindt excels at building the characters in this universe, and with this being a very character driven story that makes for one heck of a book/series.
The way Kindt flushes out the Knight/Carl more in this issue shades a lot of light on what’s going on. Him being aware of the fact that he’s living two lives, and what this means for him is an awesome plot device. But nothing will prepare the reader for how this issue ends. It’s brutal and out of nowhere, well setting up exactly what’s coming in the next issue.
ARTWORK:
While the story is original, the artwork stands out for being just as distinctive. David Lapham vividly illustrates this bizarre world with his signature style. What's more, Lapham incorporates slightly different artistic approaches for each reality, which further separates them and keeps readers questioning what’s actually real. The addition of some more violent and edgy artwork in this issue brings a whole new aspect for the art. To make the narrative even more intriguing, Josh Reed’s lettering shifts between the realities, emphasizing the distinction. Despite seeming like it could be confusing, these differences actually help readers follow each reality more clearly.
Check Out My Review of KNIGHT CITY #1
Final Thoughts:
Knight City #2 continues to bring a unique take to a superhero comic book, well also pushing boundaries with the story and artwork. The character development is top tier and emerges the reader in this crazy and unique world. The way this issue ends is sure to bring readers back for the next issue. If you are looking for a different superhero story, look no further than Knight City when you are at the shop this week.
FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10
Let me know your thoughts on Knight City #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
