CYBORG #2
Writer: David F. Walker
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inker: Joe Prado, Ray McCarthy & Scott Hanna
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Covers by: Reis, Prado & Lucas; Tony Harris
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
“Target: Victor Stone” (20 pages)
In another space and time, one of the Tekbreakers is reprimanded for having killed an invaluable ally: Cyborg :0 His advisor/superior officer emphasizes that his tech was crucial in their never-ending war. If the enemy gains what the fighters need, an entire universe will be in peril. The search restarts.
Vic mulls over the silly questions he is constantly asked. Similar to an astronaut fitted in a G-suit or a cosplayer ‘trapped’ in an elaborate outfit, inquiring minds want to know about basic human functions and needs!! Vic is more human than not. To quantify that, he must have mind, body, soul. Vic awakens from what passes as a dream state. He is back at home. His inner PC informs him of various urgent messages from his father. Vic tells the system to ignore and delete them.
The rebel-rouser from last issue gets a makeover. Putting on a more presentable appearance than a vagabond is the first step. He has a name! Bobby Zirrozinski. He seeks an audience with a prosthetics specialist, secret underground lab and all.
Vic continues to explore what he absorbed in his scuffle with the Technosapiens. Metal and skin seem interchangeable. His cat Smokey seems unimpressed. Vic finally gives in to facing his father.
Interlude: the creepy Alien-Terminator mash-up that is the Sapien assures one of his lackeys that they will soon find the source of their salvation: the ‘song’ that is beckoning to his race.
It’s no mere coincidence that Vic’s high school buddy Sebastian knows the vocal protestor. Bobby resembles a full-on cyborg just like young Mr. Stone. Seb is quite concerned. He takes the opportunity to ring up Vic while Mr. Z catches a few zees, fatigued from the process.
Vic struts his stuff at S.T.A.R. Labs. His father is less than impressed, worried more about the expensive equipment than praising his son’s practice session. Silas cannot hold his tongue. He scolds Vic about the ‘irresponsible’ display. Vic offers to repair everything and make improvements. He walks off angry since all he wants is to determine the cause of his ebbing humanity.
Seb and Vic meet for a cup of joe. Cyborg is a cool celebrity walking the streets of Detroit; Victor Stone is an oddity. The economy remains low in Motortown. Seb tells his friend of the Body Shops. No, they’re not your local auto mechanics. Seb gives him the rundown. It is illegitimate business until Congress passes the bill. Seb doesn’t really see anything wrong with the concept. Vic cannot fathom why others would want to be more like him. Seb explains that it is about enhancement and development, not image and ego. An undetectable signal reaches Vic’s ears. He realizes it’s a message from outer space. His supposed dream was a broadcast signal. ‘They’ are on their way for him. Bobby awakens to find Technosapiens ready to snatch him!!
Oracle is online: The female advisor in the hover-chair purposely resembles a former information broker 😉
I’m not a robot! Victor is like any other young adult male: physically, mentally, emotionally.
Do cyborgs dream of electric sheep? David F. Walker is the new Philip K. Dick!! I feel so badly for Vic. His desperation to be one of us doesn’t come with a snap of the fingers. The fact that he was receiving a transmission instead of being in REM emphasizes the machine inside the man.
I will preface my analysis by stating that I reviewed number one for another site for whom I also write. Competition ^_< This is my second DC review. Moving on!
There has been mild controversy regarding the aptly-named character. What, pray tell? Whether this cross between dermis and chromium has all functioning parts. Read that last part again: ALL. FUNCTIONING. PARTS. Mr. Walker realized Vic was castrated literally and metaphorically. I don’t want to fan the flames too much but from the latter point of view one can say enslaved. Physiologically, that is what makes a man but clearly the identity issue is more complex. Vic quickly dismisses the asinine question and rightly retorts that it’s NOOB (none of our business). Either way, it is ‘established’/inferred in the DIVERGENCE sneak peek that Vic became whole again after encountering the tech-hungry aliens. I will let this lie but like any other polemic topic, the discussions can be endless.
Mr. Walker continues to flesh out [pun intended!] Vic. He isn’t too concerned with super-heroics. Acceptance and a sense of normalcy are his top priorities. Being comfortable in one’s own skin (or metallic sheen) is a never-ending quest among the human condition. When those closest to us cannot embrace us with open arms, it makes the process much more painful. The fact that Vic hurts on the inside and cares how others see him and treat him are proof positive of his humanity. Mr. Walker strains the father-son dynamic. It boggles my mind that a man of science who is so dispassionate about others would want to marry and have a family. I can totally relate. I was estranged from my dad for many years before the walls broke down. Vic’s relationship with Silas may be on shaky ground but he can establish a solid foundation by reacquainting himself with Seb.
Ivan Reis can tackle absolutely anything! Case in point: Vic’s feline friend. I despise cats (because of my allergies) but even I melt at Smokey’s inquisitive look. The details within the Technosapien’s body continue to fascinate me. It is pure sci-fi.
Oh boy, I’m going to do an unintentionally huge disservice to all three inkers 🙁 I’m not able to distinguish between their efforts! Suffice to say that I pore over things great and small. Vic’s bedroom is comfy and holds some of his athletic achievements. Vic’s sinewy arms show a man in peak condition. The statuesque arm representing the industrious blue collar workers is a fitting tribute.
Adriano Lucas provides warm soft light in Vic’s room as he awakens from his nap. The red on Robby’s arm is a by-product of his surgery. Seb has a really good skin tone. Jelly!
Rob Leigh is a human computer!! How else to explain the stylized font for Vic’s thoughts as well as his OS’ digitized speech? He also lets Smokey speak up clearly and succinctly.
This buzz-worthy book is deserving of several accolades. I don’t know how many more upgrades Vic will undergo but I give this an 8.5
