REVIEW: ‘Lunar Room,’ Issue #2

Described as  “a wild new sci-fi-fantasy-noir hybrid series,” I was so eager to get my hands on reading Lunar Room #2 from Vault Comics. The story is penned by Danny Lore, with art by Gio Sposito, colors by DJ Chavis, letters by Andworld, and Tim Daniel on design. Cynthia “Sin” Breaker is a woman just struggling to make it. She’s a former shell of herself—a powerful werewolf who once dealt in violence as her primary job. This second issue continues her story as she finds herself with a possible new ally and her name in all the wrong mouths with danger on her back once again.

This issue of Lunar Room doesn’t feature much of Sin, the former mob enforcer, or Zero, the wayward young mage tied to a secret organization that means trouble. But that is fine, as the issue primarily focuses on the bigger fish in Solar City. It is fascinating as it is an eye-opener for the violence dealt to the populace and the protection it allegedly serves.

Angie, a familiar face from the first issue that Sin was acquainted with, perhaps even more intimately, travels the streets with an enforcer who is not Sin. Interestingly enough, readers get a much more satisfying taste of the world-building and the individuals inhabiting this place. Supernatural currencies other than cash are accepted as payment, which will likely surprise you, as will some of the folks running businesses like vampires who run laundromats. The biggest takeaway is the writer Lore is building up the hierarchy of the shady part of the city, and it’s as thrilling as it is devastating.

On the artwork side, Sposito continues to wow me with Sin’s unique fighting style that any NJPW or Stardom fan will eat up for the obvious wrestling influence. Any pages with her doing what she does best—brawling—is a show stopper, and the few body anatomy issues from the first issue are straightened out enough to make a difference. Visual eye candy is consistent throughout this issue, from the striking page of an unlucky person in pain at an animal shelter, backed by a wall of terrified animals, to the closeup of an essential player in Solar City walking away from a fiery sight. The coloring and lettering work by Chavis and Andworld add to the tone of the art.

Lunar Room #2 ends on a very satisfying note and works on fixing the weaker parts of the first issue while successfully fleshing out the worldbuilding and partnership for survival by two unlikely people, haunted by different things and different people. The underworld of Solar City is a fascinating one that introduces more faces and major players that paint this comic as one I want to read more of. Sin and Zero are becoming exciting characters that I continually want to know more about in the backdrop of identity, power, and consequences.

Lunar Room #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.