By Toren Chenault — Bang! #2 is another example of writer Matt Kindt (joined here by Wilfredo Torres) excelling at telling a story within a story...within a story. With this comic, we’re reading a story from the creative team, while the people in the story are experiencing it as well, but they are also a part of a story, one they don’t seem to have control over. I know it sounds wild, but this actually isn’t something Kindt is new at. And it’s not something entirely alien to fiction writing, especially comics.

Creators like Grant Morrison tread this sort of metafictional ground all the time. cWhat makes this style of storytelling work best for me, of course, is when a writer puts their own twist on it. There is no right way to have characters immersed in this type of story. For Morrison, those existential, philosophical topics are always there when he writes like this. And sometimes a hint of comedy. Kindt’s style is more mysterious and chaotic in a way. It keeps you guessing, and it always makes you look in one direction while the real story has been in front of you the entire time. Every single time I think I have an idea where his stories are headed — he throws me for a loop.

The second issue of this comic focuses on another character from the novels of an author named Phillip K. Verve. Verve was the writer who showed up at the end of issue 1, and a character that has shown up multiple times in Kindt’s past work like MIND MGMT. After all, he did tell us in issue 1 that he’s a “reality hopping science-fiction author with all the answers.” 

Issue 2 focuses on a man named John Shaw. The highlight of this issue for me was the excerpt at the beginning about Shaw. It’s a piece from the novel explaining Shaw and his “abilities.” But it’s really engaging. Hooked me in. To the point that I wanted to read a novel by Kindt, or Verve, or whoever is writing these things. This type of worldbuilding is something that is expected with Kindt’s work nowadays. Still though, to see it, and to experience it with almost every comic...it’s really cool.

A huge positive of this issue was the action. Kindt is a seasoned writer, and he writes action scenes exceptionally well. But the way the action was written in Bang! #2 was special. Hilarious at times too, because of a certain villain that pops up halfway through. This comic is highly stylized. And that fast-paced action was back in this issue. But not only that, it serves two purposes here. To give us context for Shaw’s character, and propel the story forward. And given the way Shaw’s powers were explained in the beginning, the big action scene at the end really made everything come together.

Once again, the art helps solidify the ‘80s spy feel this comic has. Artist Wilfredo Torres and colorist Nayoung Kim are a perfect fit for this comic. There’s a scene on a cruise ship that was probably my favorite piece of art in the issue. It’s hard to explain, but the entire comic feels fake .. in the best way. You know, that story times three thing I mentioned at the start? As if all of this is some weird movie you’re watching on a long flight. Or maybe a dream gone wrong. Cheesy characters, action, plot, all that. And Torres and Kim’s art is a huge reason why. I’m not sure another pair of artists could have sold me on this world as well as they have. The only thing I can compare this to is Kindt’s other current work Folklords, which is being published right now by BOOM! Studios. It feels like a fake fantasy story, and it has featured similar themes so far to Bang!

What is Goldmaze? Who is their leader? Where’s Thomas Cord from issue 1? How does Verve play into all of this? Some of these are answered in this issue, some aren’t. And some don’t have answers at all. It’s admirable how Matt Kindt attempts to tell this type of bold, tangled tales with his comics. All while making sure we, the readers, give a damn about the characters. Combine that with the stylish art, and you have a second issue that was almost better than the first. Because it stays focused on its goal, doesn’t overstretch, doesn’t overthink. It just delivers.

Overall: Featuring excellent character work and really fascinating metafictional themes, all of which are combined with stylish art, BANG! #2 is almost even better than the first issue. 9.2/10

BANG! #2 (of 5)
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Colorist: Nayoung Kim
Letterer: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Solicit: A constant stream of terrorist attacks follows John Shaw, and the only thing that keeps him one step ahead is a collection of power-giving inhalers and a hatred of shoes. When he's once again caught in the middle of a terrorist plot, Shaw finds that these random attacks may not be so random-and the fabric of reality may be at stake.

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Toren Chenault, a native of the Cincinnati area, currently lives in Michigan with his girlfriend. A graduate of Michigan State University, he is a long-time superhero fan who counts Captain Atom, Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel, Daredevil, Divinity, Nightwing, and XO Manowar among his favorite heroes. Mystic Man is his first book. Buy it now here, and check out more of Toren’s Why I Love series here.