Pariah (Issue 2)
By: Aron Warner & Philip Gelatt
Art by: Brett Weldele
Production by: Art Monkeys
ISBN: 9357372563
Published August 2011 by Sea Lion Books
My Rating: ★★★★☆
In the first issue of Aron Warner’s Pariah, we got to know a bit about Brent and what he is—a genetically enhanced teen suddenly being tracked down by the government for nothing more than his Vitro status. In this second issue, the focus is on Lila Ellerman, a sixteen-year-old Vitro who was working in the Marinus Labs at the time a deadly virus was released. While hiding out in the forest with more of her team and her crush, Brandon, Lila discovers that someone is framing her for the development and release of the virus. Will Lila be able to protect her friends and clear her name?
We’re still not one hundred percent sure how the Vitros came about. We know they were cured of some genetic disease and this resulted in enhanced intelligence. My theory is they were given some sort of vaccine that altered their genetic makeup and then they were “forced” to work in places such as Marinus Labs developing all sorts of super smart technology, weapons, etc.
Since this is a graphic novel, the illustrations tell the majority of the story. Pariah 1 was full of subdued blues and greys, and it really depicted Brent’s sad, isolated life. Pariah 2 is still subdued, but it brings in more reds and oranges and I think this helps accentuate that we’re getting more to heart of the action. The virus has been released and this young girl is being blamed. We don’t know exactly who is behind the plan or why they are using the Vitros, but we’re getting a better sense of what the story is all about.
I’m glad that we’re seeing more of the Vitros and more interactions between them. They seem somewhat more authentic in this issue. They’re still sitting in the middle of a forest brilliantly figuring out how to bounce internet signals off satellites so they can’t be traced, but at the same time they are doubting one another and even falling in…well…’like’ at least. They really are just ordinary teenagers faced with extraordinary circumstances.
I am absolutely in love with this series! I can’t wait to see the new issues rolling in and learn everything there is to know about the Vitros and how Brent is going to hopefully come back into play in the future.
Check it out!! Just do it… :-)
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