As I read further into Zendra 2.0, I'm beginning to realize that it isn't just science-fiction; there are elements of super-heroes and pulp adventure at work here as well, and the result is an interesting mix of genres and characters. The book is lighter on action this issue than in the last, but it offers up plenty of fantastic ideas, beautifully executed by Montiel, Buelna and especially Garcia, and Moore does some great character-building in a back-up story that ties into the main story. My main complaint comes from the same problem I had with Decoy this week, which is that Zendra is not very accessible to new readers or even those who might have forgotten exactly where the last issue left off.
The first Zendra mini-series was more of a story of one person, Halle, as she found her place both in a cosmic and a personal sense. Oddly enough, though, the scope of the story seemed more epic in that first story, as she was searching for the last refuge of humanity. In Zendra 2.0, the cast of characters has expanded, but the story has actually gotten smaller, as it's less about finding something magical than the effects that an event has had on the planet. It's still not small by any means, though, and I love that Moore can build on such big ideas as a journey to the planet's core to help defend the planet.
I hadn't picked up on the superhuman characteristics of the characters before this issue, at least not in any great degree, so I was kind of surprised to see super-gadgeteering, hyper-reflexes and teleportation making themselves known in this issue. Moore has tied these mutations into the central core of the story, which helps to further build the Aesirians as enigmatic and not entirely benevolent as well as pushing Aleph's inferiority to the forefront of the story. I like that Moore can combine almost philosophical elements like Zendra's burning heart with a more physical reality of super-powers and hurt feelings, just as the best science-fiction combines believable characters and unbelievable technology.
Zendra is a book that benefits from Penny-Farthing's traditional high production values, and I really can't say enough kind words about Mike Garcia's colors on this book. The sense of light that he gives in Halle's father, the glowing insubstantial feeling that the Aesirians give off and the hellish red glow underneath Zendra's crust all go a long way toward establishing mood and style. Of course, plenty of credit belongs to the artists and creators, Montiel and Buelna, whose looks for the characters combine futuristic fashion with a sort of early human clothing sense to give Zendra a certain feel. They also create some unbelievably enormous and detailed technology, and their designs for the characters are very strong as well.
It took me a few pages before I could connect with Zendra 2.0 again, remembering where the series had left off, as Moore's script sort of jumps right into things without giving the readers any sort of refresher. However, while I think that a "what has gone before" page would help the story immensely in terms of easing the readers in, overall I enjoyed another visit to the world of Zendra, and I'm looking forward to seeing if Halle's journey is actually about the burning heart of Zendra, or if (as the backup story hints) it's far more personal than that.
