In Review: Oliver #2

Synopsis: Oliver learns a devastating, life-changing truth about his origins — and puts his entire adoptive community in danger when he rebels against the oppressive regime that rules over it.

Review: Gary Whitta’s post-apocalyptic re-imagination of Oliver Twist as a superhero continues.

The Story

Two years have passed since the close of issue one and Oliver is now a strong teenager and still very unaware of the world outside of the London slum he has been raised in. Prospero who is the leader of the IVC people is still very much a father figure for Oliver, but it has come time to reveal some painful truths to the orphaned young IVC/Human hybrid.

Back in the city where the humans live. An IVC calling himself Edmund has been captured and he has revealed the existence of Oliver to the authorities.

The Artwork

Darick Robertson’s art continues to impress and this particular issue gives him the opportunity to recreate one of the most iconic moments from Oliver Twist in this alternate take on the character. The panel I’m talking about is the one where Oliver asks the human overseer in the Workhouse for more food, which kicks off a situation that doesn’t end well.

Also, the landscape of the world continues to be drawn in a repressive way, which totally suits the story.

Overall

This is another superb issue in which Oliver learns the truth about his origins, but also learns that life is not very fair for his IVC family who is thought of as the lowest of the low from the pure humans that live in their city high rises and lap up the luxuries that he has never seen.

The issue leaves us with a few questions. Questions like will Oliver look for his mother now that he knows she is still alive? Or is he going to be the trigger of a revolution to change the stars of his IVC family?

I can’t wait to find out more.