REVIEW: 'The Dead Lucky' #2 by Melissa Flores, French Carlomagno, and Mattia Iacono

 

THE DEAD LUCKY #2

Writer: Melissa Flores

Artist: French Carlomagno, Mattia Iacono

Letterer: Becca Carey

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 7, 2022

Cover Price: $3.99

The debut of San Francisco's newest electric superhero rubs plenty the wrong way, and Bibi struggles to find common ground in her relationships with both the living and the dead. As the Salvation Gang beefs up their army, Morrow takes a quieter approach to unmasking the vigilante.

Score:

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: 'The Dead Lucky' #2 focuses on the relationships that were tested in the first issue while continuing to flesh out this dystopian future set in San Francisco. Bibi has a lot to contend with from her contentious falling out with Eddie to the police keeping an eye on her. She's a complicated character with a lot of inner turmoil. It's admirable to feature a vet suffering from PTSD who's brilliant and trying to play superhero for her neighborhood but she hasn't become an appealing character yet.

 Surprisingly, it's the female police officer, Maria, who's more likable and magnetic. She's dealing with the corporate security rep from Morrow who toes the company line and demands that Maria follow suit. Her boss is no help but she feels like the "skull-lady" superhero could do some good in the town. She seems more of an empathetic figure because she's caught in the middle between her duty, service to the community, the influential corporation, and her own morals. 

So this is more about the characters' conflicts and messy relationships than a straight superhero action adventure. It may not be for everybody. It moves the plot along a little but dwells on the personal dramas more. If you're expecting action, you'll likely have to wait until the next issue. Issue #2 is a character-driven drama but not necessarily an exciting entry this month. It's a well-constructed comic from the art to the lettering. The series has a ton of potential but this issue lays more of the groundwork regarding the characters in the hope to make them engaging and it doesn't always work. 

Ultimately, the series might be a good pickup as a trade depending on what happens with the next issue. There's a lack of weight and urgency affecting the "must-read" factor of the series but it's not too late to turn it around.