By Jarred A. Luján — It’s the return of Vagrant Queen: A Planet Called Doom this week, with the second issue dropping. In our last issue, we met a very angry cyclops man who destroyed a town before kidnapping Elida. The book (clearly) had a great hook, so I’m pretty excited to dive into issue #2.

The thing that makes Vagrant Queen: A Planet Called Doom work is what makes most great sci-fi work: it leans in to the craziness. This world is no holds barred, it’s chaotic and strange and new. The way that a time travelling cult blends its way into this story in an organic way is a testament and credit to Magdalene Visaggio’s writing. Science fiction often gets treated like lasers/aliens with scary teeth/robots in a perpetual cycle, but this use of new additions makes the story more fun to read.

Second, I love the shape of the story here. Elida, who has escaped the demons from her past, is now being confronted by her future. It’s that weird thematic clash that adds that extra layer to the story. Elida’s present struggle to have a life with her girlfriend grows into this almost Sisyphean struggle between two fates that she, seemingly, cannot control. I’m super excited to see where the plot goes from there, what secrets our time travelling cult has, and how Elida revolts against that further.

One of the things I noticed in this issue compared to the last one, is the diversity in panel layouts. I really think that Jason Smith has this varied approach in this issue, especially a couple points where he really uses negative space to add to his layout. On top of that, the use of shadows here is especially poignant. Smith often places something in silhouette in the forefront, so it looks like we’re looking from behind something, but it adds a layer of immersion to the experience of reading the book. Furthermore, in the scene where Elida is being escorted through a hall, we got to have a bit more of an Old West-styled dramatic moment as we look over characters’ shoulders as she walks past. Really dug it.

The book is building towards a big moment on Earth, and I’m pretty excited about that. The thing about Visaggio and Smith is that, between the two of them, there’s been a lot of new and varied ingredients mixed in here. I’m kind of psyched to see what Earth in the world Vagrant Queen looks like.

Overall: This second issue succeeds in getting its hooks into readers even further. A Planet Called Doom is one of the freshest approaches to sci-fi since it’s predecessor, and there is a lot to be on the lookout for with this story. 9.0/10

Vagrant Queen: A Planet Called Doom #2
Writer: Magdalene Visaggio
Artist: Jason Smith
Colorist: Harry Saxon
Letterer: Zakk Saam
Publisher: Vault Comics
Price: $3.99
Some time-warping wackos try to force the crown back on Elida's head, as an old adversary pays Stelling a visit.

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Jarred A. Luján makes comics, studies existential philosophy, and listens to hip-hop too loudly. For bad jokes and dog pictures, you can follow him on Twitter.