Homecoming #2
Publisher: Aspen
Writer: David Wohl
Artist: Emilio Laiso (cover by Emilio Laiso & Beth Sotelo)
Colors: Brett Smith
Letters: Josh Reed
When most high school students worry, it’s because of tests, try outs, zits, and the opposite sex. In Homecoming from Aspen Comics, it’s a whole new ball game! In this second issue, the students are trying to sort out the events from the previous night. We also watch as a group of police officers make a startling discovery in that same night, that ends with at least two of them being eviscerated by aliens in an underground complex (or ship?). What the cops see before they die is several people being held inside of life-size test tubes of sorts. Those tubes seemed to be under the watchful eye of the cop eviscerating aliens, though. A couple of investigators from Homeland Security, a mystery about what really happened while the students were apparently abducted by these aliens, and the strange new girl in school, Celeste, that claims to have been abducted years earlier and sent back to help against an impending invasion, all lead us to the current state of bewilderment that is Homecoming!
David Wohl is crafting quite an interesting tale here, and it’s mainly because of the many angles we’re handed in this specific issue. The story got much deeper and multifaceted in a hurry. That’s a good thing, though, because although issue one was good, it appeared that it was just going to be an ordinary teen-drama book with a sci-fi twist. But it’s definitely much more than that! The moments of regularity with “Jay Anne” at home with her family were a welcome respite from the action and added a feeling of humanity.
The art was very nice, too, and made the mood whenever it was needed. The family and school scenes are very warm and inviting, and in contrast the panels where an ominous tone was required, Emilio Laiso nailed it. The pencils and inks, also by him, were spot on. The colorist, Brett Smith, was on point as well. From cover to cover, this is a book that was put together with pride. Speaking of covers, in typical Aspen form, you get a choice between two different covers. The “B” cover (below) is by Michael Ryan & Peter Steigerwald. It’s a slight contrast to the regular cover (and actually slightly better overall), but is enough of a variation to check out. Rating 4/5
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
