Fight Club 2 #1
Script by Chuck Palahniuk
Art by Cameron Stewart
Colors by by Dave Stewart
Letters by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover by David Mack
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 27, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

‘Destiny has a pesky way of catching up’

For a sequel that divided the Space Monkeys, Fight Club 2 #1 is a sucker punch to the face that reminds you why you joined the club in the first place. You know which one. What? We’re all rule breakers here. Author Chuck Palahniuk being the biggest one, who after years of saying there’d never be a sequel to his breakout novel and it’s subsequent film adaptation, has crafted something real special. But with Palahniuk’s sense of humor, this continuation we’ve begged for or bemoaned may lead us to his particular brand of surprises. Like Rant’s momma who baked her meals with shards of glass and nails, Palahniuk makes you chew on every page from the start.

The narrator this time is none other than Tyler Durden creeping in on the life of Sebastian (The book and film’s no-name narrator). It’s a deviously delightful twist as you find out that while Sebastian thinks he’s been living a Tyler-less life, in reality his anarchy fueled counterpart has spent his time planning a comeback. And this is thanks to none other than Marla, who’s still the same old Marla but grown discontent with her lifeless husband. After the end of the novel, in which Sebastian is institutionalized, he’s put on meds that he’s been on ever since but Marla has been replacing them with sugar pills. There are hints here and there of Sebastian’s naivety at Tyler’s visits, namely his son’s knowledge of some mayhem-ey recipes he shows off to his sitter. We also get a sense of where Marla is with her marriage, when Sebastian follows her to a support group on their anniversary. In that part  of the comic, the panels definitely do a throwback to the iconic moment they met. The one with smoke surrounding her face harkens back to it.

It’s no surprise that the fire is gone in their relationship. The more candid conversations they have about how they feel about one another are subdued visually with petals or pills covering their faces strategically in reaction frames. Those choices are fantastically composed by artist Cameron Stewart. The character design is new and fresh but totally what you could see these characters as.

Now Tyler, who shows up during a therapy session, is still the epitome of what Sebastian wishes he could be. It’s funny to note that this is the perfect medium for Tyler. There is a super cool surprise and cameo in this first issue that is super reminiscent of Deadpool. Readers will find themselves thinking, “Tyler would do that!” Not to give any spoilers or reveal too much but the moment that Tyler jumps from words to page and you find out what he’s been up to all these years you will get amped up for the next issue.

Ready everyone?

In Tyler we trust.