Drifter #2
Written by Ivan Brandon
Art by Nic Klein
Letters by Clem Robins
Covers by Nic Klein and Becky Cloonan
Image Comics
Release Date: December 17, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

In the first issue of Drifter, we’re introduced to Pollux after he crash lands on an alien planet. He’s taken in by a group of people living on the planet – some friendlier than others – and learns that while he has been unconscious for three days, he may have actually been on the planet far longer than that.

Drifter #2 adds to the mystery of how long Pollux has been on the planet, hints at what his life was like back home, and introduces some interesting alien creatures and other inhabitants of the planet that pose a severe risk to the small community.

Let’s start by getting one thing out of the way: Nic Klein‘s art work is stunning. Each panel is just delicious looking. The soft, painterly touches give the scenes that otherworldly, ethereal look that helps accentuate the out-of-place feeling for the main character. The characters, particularly those who have been living on the planet, look somewhere between Star Wars and Mad Max in design. Visually, these books really stand on their own.

Story-wise, Drifter is a little shaky right out of the gate. The character’s are interesting, and the mystery that they hint at is intriguing enough to draw you in. What felt lacking was pacing more than anything else. The exposition is just a little too expository; the action in some scenes is over just a little too quickly. The main character’s narration steps in when it would be better to show something with a visual cue, or active dialog with another character. Even though the story is being told from Pollux’s perspective, we’re in his head too much. Perhaps once the story is expanded a bit and more characters are given their time in the spotlight, things will open up and give us breathing room.

There is a lot of promise for the story, though, so it’s worth it to jump in now. It’s refreshing to see a story take on a more old school sci-fi vibe. Fans of early Planet of the Apes or, again, Mad Max – anyone who appreciates science fiction with some grit in the gears – will find something to enjoy with Drifter #2.