REVIEW: ‘Samuai Jack: Lost Worlds,’ Issue #2 – Samurai Jack and the Empty Village

Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds, from IDW Publishing and featuring the creative team of writer Paul Allor, artist Adam Bryce, and letterer Christa Miesner, continues with issue number two. In this new miniseries based the iconic Cartoon Network Samurai Jack, created by Genndy Tartakovsky, we’re getting to see new Jack adventures. This time, Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds #2 is called “Samurai Jack and the Empty Village.”

As Jack travels through lonely mountain roads, he’s warned to turn back to avoid a haunted village that has effectively cut the town on either side of the mountain off from each other, hurting families, lives, and yes, tourism. But, it wouldn’t be a story if Jack listened to them. Instead, he ignores the bar’s legends of the Empty Village and continues forward.

Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds #2 is an issue of little words, like our favorite samurai himself. A solid chunk of this issue is spent on the action and it works perfectly. That being said, the opening lines from the dog archeologist bartender are words to live by (featured above). From the use of “there be dragons,” and the overall sentiment about the importance of stories, regardless of their truth and sometimes because of it.

This issue is quick and to the point. Jack enters the Empty Village, fights with the beings haunting it, and must make a decision on what to do with the information he learns while passing through. There is a nice weight to the story, something not easily achieved with such a small amount of words. The reason that it is striking, is not only because of the underlying theme but also because of the breathtaking art.

In the middle of the book, with little dialogue, the art switches from full color to a watercolor palette of reds and grays and sharp black line work. It’s beautiful and brings to mind a lot of what I loved from the animation. The simple palette lends to further the dynamic action, making Jack the star of the page and making the myth fighting him that much more mysterious.

As a fan of the series, Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds has been great. In addition, the self-contained narratives of each issue make each one a great first step into the world of Samurai Jack. While there are some pieces of the stories that are enhanced by previous knowledge, it isn’t necessary to enjoy issues one and two.

Overall, the ending Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds #2 is great, with a moral that wraps to the top of the issue and the importance of stories. That being said, this also means that I can’t write much more without spoiling it and believe me, you want to pick this issue up.