Review: Zero #2

Posted By on October 17, 2013

Ales Kot has burst onto the comic scene like few other creators have in recent years. He’s made name for himself by writing smart, dense stories with heavy political and social meanings, and seems to be thoroughly committed to make creator-owned books his specialty. His latest book, Zero is the tale of Edward Zero, a spy and one-man death squad who is given the missions that others often cannot handle. Told over many years, Zero will feature a rotating cast of artists, each telling a chapter of Zero’s life and the grisly things he does. Tradd Moore, best known for the Luther Strode books, takes over for issue two as Edward’s early training is revealed.

Zero #2

Zero #2

This issue focuses on Edward Zero’s early years. The reader sits in, so to speak, as Edward and his classmates learn about Northern Ireland and the IRA. Edward is not quite an attentive student, so he’s punished, but he doesn’t mind. What follows is Edward’s first real mission, as he waits and watches before he’s supposed to kill a man who’s seemingly given up on a life of crime and has settled into a family life.

Zero #2

Zero #2

Ales Kot gives us a different version of Edward Zero in this issue, stepping away from the weary man of the previous issue and getting back to the boy he was. There’s a sort of tenderness to this younger Zero, but it’s easy to see how he becomes the hard, cold man later on. Still, there is humanity in this young Zero, and that’s what matters. This issue is a great insight into the character and those around him, helping the reader understand some of his formative years.

Zero #2

Zero #2

Tradd Moore has outdone himself on this story. His art has never looked better, and he makes a young Edward Zero look fantastic. Moore excels at action scenes, making the motion on the page incredibly well orchestrated, but he also does justice to the simpler, quieter moments in this issue as well. His art shows Edward not as a spy or assassin, but also as a child, which it does well. The colors from Jordie Bellaire help to make Edward’s more childish moments lighter, as she uses warmer colors than the often drab colors that accompany his more sinister moments.

Zero is turning out to be one of the best comics of the latter half of the year. Kot brings a great evolving story and the multi-artist approach seems to work as each chronicles a different chapter in Zero’s life. Moore puts forth some of the best work of his career in this book and it only makes his upcoming run on Ghost Rider even more anticipated.

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About the Author

Leo Johnson
Leo is a biology/secondary education major and one day may just be teaching your children. In the meantime, he's podcasting, reading comics, and hoping that they find life on another planet. He currently resides in Mississippi and can be found on Twitter at @LFLJ.