Nebula #2 Review

by Nick Devonald on March 11, 2020

Writer: Vita Ayala
Artist: Claire Roe
Colours: Mike Spicer
Letters: VC’s Travis Lanham

The first issue of Nebula took me by surprise, I liked the idea of the All-Seer system, and it being integrated with Nebulas cybernetics. I’d gone into it without having any real expectations of what I would find and came away pleasantly surprised. My biggest problem came at the end of the issue when Nebula’s memory was wiped. It felt like a cheap storytelling move which has been done to death in many a story.

I have a theory on the reasons behind the memory loss. Considering the recent Yondu mini-series, which had the end result of having a comic book version of Yondu which basically mirrored Yondu from the MCU, I’m making the leap that Nebula is attempting to do the same. Nebula from the comics and Nebula from the MCU are very different characters in several ways. Having Nebula lose her memory, then grow as a character, before regaining her memories could put her much closer to the MCU version. This is all conjecture on my part though.

Now that’s out of the way lets get onto this issue. The memory loss storyline has been better than my initial fears for it were. We find out a little more about the planet Nebula finds herself on, and her new mysterious friend who’s helped her. Her name is Adira and she forms a bond with Nebula as the issue progresses. By wiping out Nebula’s memory it lets readers see a more vulnerable side to Nebula and relate more to her than they might otherwise.

Vita Ayala gets a chance to demonstrate her knowledge of Marvels cosmic characters by bringing in an old aquantance of Nebula’s near the end of the issue. Don’t worry if this character is a stranger to you, it’s handled well enough that no prior knowledge is needed.

Claire Roe does a great job with the art. She captures Nebula’s emotions really well, without her memories she’s lost, frightened and weak in a way we rarely see. The art is more important for letting the reader know her emotional state than the words are. She’s just as comfortable drawing the quieter moments with Nebula as all out-action scenes and does a great job of both. Then we have the upgrade from the past issue, which has its own unique style and is incredibly well done. Adding to that are the brilliant colours from Mike Spicer.

Spicer’s colours are excellent as well. The flashbacks have a duller, purple shade to them, which helps separate them from the rest of the story. The characters colours contrast nicely against the desert backdrop and help keep the comic looking vibrant. And on a slightly separate note if my theory about Yondu and Nebula being connected is right Spicer coloured Yondu as well, and it gives both series a similar feel to them.

Plenty of promise in this series, I’m interested to see where they take Nebula, and how she’ll have grown and changed once she regains her memories. I love the concept of the All-Seer system and I’m intrigued what that will end up looking like once Nebula remembers again.

Our Score:

7/10

A Look Inside