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 » Image Comics » REVIEW: ‘Ascender,’ Issue #2

REVIEW: ‘Ascender,’ Issue #2

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez05/31/20193 Mins ReadUpdated:08/04/2021
Ascender #2
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Ascender #2

Published by Image Comics, Ascender #2 comes from the powerhouse creative team behind Descender, writer Jeff Lemire, artist Dustin Nguyen, with lettering and design by Steve Wands. This new ongoing fantasy series is set in the same universe as their previous work, Descender. As issue number one set up, Ascender is a world where the machines have gone away and in their absence magic has reclaimed the universe.

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 Ascender #2, “The Haunted Galaxy” continues with Mila reuniting her dad Andy with his old robot pal, Bandit. The robot is essentially his pet, making for a heartwarming reunion, but even with that doesn’t last for long, because Mother sees all. With all inhabitants under Mother forbidden to have robot tech, the father and daughter have to run, with a troll militia and a vampire commander after them.

The father and daughter dynamic has quickly become my favorite piece of this series. With that being said, this issue, like the first, also focuses on the vamp witch Mother as she moves to consolidate her power on Gnish and root out any rebellion. Showcasing her power, she leaves a Lovecraftian monster, made from her own eye, to look over the King of Gnish, ensuring that her will is done.

Like the first issue, Nguyen’s art is masterful.  The creature design of the vampires, the trolls, everything magical is impactful, not just because of the illustration but also because of the watercolor treatment that the colors provide. With the paper grain legible on even on a digital copy, with pieces are swollen with color and others are washed lightly. The coloring is unique and fantastical. In the scenes with Mother, the watercolors are ominous. In the scenes between Mila and Andy before they’re attacked, the colors are hopeful and loving. Nguyen’s art is truly a perfect match for fantasy.

In fact, Ascender #2 has my favorite page (featured below), visually, of any comic I have reviewed this year. Washed in blue, the comic opens with Mila, finding a machine on fire. The page feels cold and dark and as Ratchet lights up red, the simple page showcases a masterful use of color.

Overall, Ascender #2 is building a great dynamic between Mila and her father, even though the parts of the issue with Mother seem repetitive from issue number one. Sadly, issue number two felt a tad short, due in large part to my urge to see more of Mila and Andy and less of Mother. That being said, the action scene with Mila and her father against the vampire commander has me excited to see more action scenes in upcoming issues. Yes, because of the art, but also because of Wands’ lettering. The action happens in the background with the shaky and noisy outlines of sounds taking up whole panels, adding depth to the scene.

Ascender #2 is available now wherever comic books are sold

Ascender #2
4

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Rick And Morty,’ #50 – “Morty’s Mind Blowers”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Swamp Thing,’ Season 1 Episode 1 – “Pilot”
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

Tenement #1- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Tenement,’ Issue #1

06/23/2023
Battle Chasers #10- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Battle Chasers,’ Issue #10

06/14/2023
I Hate This Place #9

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #9

06/07/2023
Almighty #5

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #5

06/07/2023
Almighty #4

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #4

05/03/2023
I Hate This Place #8

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #8

05/03/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Alice In Borderland Season 3 promotional key image News

Netflix Announces Alice in Borderland Season 3 for September 25 Premiere

By But Why Tho?07/08/2025

Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated Alice in Borderland Season 3 will premiere on…

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.

Superman Saves a Kid in Superman (2025)
7.0
Film

REVIEW: ‘Superman (2025)’ Is Wonderful And Flawed, Just Like He Is

By Jason Flatt07/08/2025Updated:07/08/2025

Superman (2025) is wonderful and flawed, just like the Man of Steel himself, as Lex Luthor devises a convoluted plot to kill Superman.

Nintendo Switch 2 product keyart
8.5
Product Review

PRODUCT REVIEW: A Month With The Switch 2 And It’s Still The Best Console Nintendo Has Released

By Kate Sánchez07/08/2025Updated:07/08/2025

After a month with the Nintendo Switch 2, the Joy-Con 2 is a standout, and the accessibility I found, even unintentional means a lot.

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