Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘High Level,’ Issue #2

REVIEW: ‘High Level,’ Issue #2

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez03/20/20193 Mins ReadUpdated:06/24/2021
High Level 2 But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

High Level #2

High Level #2 is published DC Vertigo, written by Rob Sheridan, with art from Barnaby Bagenda and Romulo Fajardo Jr. The series follows Thirteen, a thief and Onida resident, as she is swept in to bring peace to her post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk world. We last left off with Thirteen’s old friend Akan rescuing her and asking her to shepherd a young girl, who is the property of Black Helix, to High Level, the place in the sky that people ascend to; a city set apart from the rest of the world.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In High Level #2 we pick up with Akan attempting to persuade Thirteen to take the girl to High Level, to return Minnow back home. He tries to use their relationship for leverage and when that doesn’t work, he appeals to her sense of survival with money. Offered enough money to not deal with the mess of performing odd jobs and thievery, Thirteen reluctantly accepts. The first half of the issue is on the slower-side of things.

Instead of showing the seedy Onida underbelly, the issue takes its time to develop a connection between its two main characters. Thirteen and Minnow don’t get along at first, the former is annoyed and the latter just wants to go home. Sheridan’s dialogue in the issue does well to build a bridge between the two characters as well as give context to the world around them. And it is clear, Minnow is a child. Her sense of amusement and ignorance is well played against Thirteen’s cynical demeanor.

Then, there is the strongest part of the series so far, the art. Bagenda and Fajardo’s artwork is soft and striking. With no inking, the paintings on the page are soft when needed but can also be sharp and dynamic in the back half of the comic that houses all of the action. The art gives the story a sense of wonder, while the illustrations of this cyberpunk world are clear, the colors, blending, and white highlights make this issue a beautiful and fanciful piece of art.

From the amusement park setting, marionettes, and even the fire brought by Black Helix is perfection. The art in this series is unmatched in beauty and depth. I would say it carries it, but Sheridan’s writing style does work too. As a whole the series feels like one piece, working in unison, with both the art and words in the panels crafting a new post-apocalyptic world for us to get swept up in.

In High Level #2 there is less of Thirteen’s Tankgirl adjacent personality, but instead, it is used sparingly to voice her frustration in situations. Because of this, it improves on the slight issue that I had in number one and Thirteen feels more real and less like a caricature of what men think tough women act like – a slight trope Sheridan was brushing against last issue. With Black Helix breathing down there necks, I can’t wait to see the walking adventure of our two characters and their interactions. I highly recommend High Level #2, as it continues to round out a strong line-up from DC Vertigo.

High Level #2
5

TL;DR

With Black Helix breathing down there necks, I can’t wait to see the walking adventure of our two characters and their interactions. I highly recommend High Level #2, as it continues to round out a strong line-up from DC Vertigo.

  • Buy via Our ComiXology Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Batman,’ Issue #67 – Knightmares Part 5
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Captain Marvel,’ Issue #3
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 4

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 4

07/02/2025
Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit’ Issue 1

07/02/2025
Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 4

06/25/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 8

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 8

06/25/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 9

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 9

06/25/2025
Absolute Flash Issue 4

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Flash’ Issue 4

06/18/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here