Sea of Stars vol. 2

Credit where credit is due, at least Jason Aaron managed to finish this series.  This is certainly due to the fact that Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum was a co-writer on this series as we’re still waiting for any word about the current statuses of “Southern Bastards” and “The Goddamned.”  The story of “Sea of Stars,” however, takes a turn for the dramatic after the previous volume ended with a giant space whale being summoned to trash the Zazztek moon.  Which it does in short order, separating (space) magically-empowered Kadyn from his father once more.  This is a bummer for the young kid, but it’s even worse for his dad.  At the end of his rope, he commits a horrific act that has immediately dire consequences for him – even if he can’t quite see them yet.  Father and son are still destined for a reunion, even if this one promises to be more chaotic and bloody than the first one was.

Vol. 1 of “Sea of Stars” was alright and the fact that it was going to just be a two-volume series was part of what motivated me to pick up this concluding volume.  I’m glad I did as the action picks up nicely as vol. 2 races towards its climax.  Nothing happens that you won’t be able to predict, but Aaron and Hallum manage the raising of stakes quite well with artist Stephen Green giving things an appropriately otherworldly, and even apocalyptic, look to them (even though colorist Rico Renzi has space looking way too purple for its own good).  It all adds up to a surprisingly enjoyable ending that is as action-packed as it is heartfelt.  

This is good, which is too bad that this series is likely to raise the hackles of anyone who bristles at reading another story with “White Savior” and “Cultural Appropriation” overtones.  I don’t think the writers fully realized that’s the kind of story they were writing here and it’s a shame these things will likely distract from what is a pretty decent young-adult sci-fi adventure story.