Well, it certainly was a long hiatus between issues of this limited series -- three months, thanks to the much-publicized problems of Milx, the artist who worked on the first issue -- but man, was it ever worth the wait. This second issue is perhaps the best Silver Surfer script ever, though the cosmos-exploring nomad really serves as a catalyst here, not a character. This is a heart-wrenching story about a mother's worst nightmare, and the maturity of the script is matched by the detailed realism of Lan Medina's artwork. This story is not to be missed. It stands out as one of the finest efforts Marvel has put forth this year.
Denise Waters's autistic but artistically talented daughter, Ellie, has disappeared, and the police and medical personnel who tend to the distraught mother refuse to believe her story of a silver-skinned alien's abduction of her child. Scarred -- physically and emotionally -- as a result of the experience, Denise wanders through her life with only one goal in mind: to find her daughter. Her quest leads her to discover that she is not the only parent to have lost a child under such strange circumstances, though her attempt to connect with them leads her down a dangerous path.
Lan Medina's detailed work nevertheless boasts a magical tone on Image's Aria: The Uses of Enchantment. Here, the linework boasts a much more stark and downtrodden tone that's in keeping with the main character's despair, anger and paranoia. Avalon brings an added depth and realism to the artwork with textured colors. Medina was an excellent choice to replace Milx, as the two aritsts boast similar styles, and that makes for a more consistent visual quality for the series. The artist's portrayal of the title character reminds me of the late John Buscema's take on the same cosmic hero as well.
It's clear that the Silver Surfer has a noble purpose in mind here. He's rescuing children from afflictions, it would seem. But the one-time Herald of Galactus is also the villain of the story. His actions may give the children a new chance at life, but they destroy the lives of those left behind.
The writers tell a powerful, emotional story here, one that could have easily fallen into the realm of overwrought melodrama. Fortunately, they don't venture into that territory. The narration, with its distant tone, is incredibly effective at telling this story, and it makes for a nice balance with the extreme emotion we see Denise exhibiting toward those around her.
