The Lumpy Men In Black: Midnight Vista #2 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
We jump back in time to Nomar trying to find Oliver on the alien ship and the horrible things he sees being done to his stepson. In the present, a detective shows Oliver the “Unsolved Cases” special on him and Nomar to explain how the world perceived his disappearance. Afterwards, a Dr. Laura James goes in to talk to Oliver while the local police chief announces Oliver’s return to the press. Rod Flores, Oliver’s biological father, is making his way to Albuquerque when he’s stopped by to odd men in black suits. Meanwhile, Oliver tries to convince Dr. James that everything he’s saying about the alien abduction is true.
Midnight Vista #2 picks up with Oliver learning what’s been happening in the world since his abduction in 2002. He learns what people thought happened to him and how they blamed it on his stepdad, Nomar.
Oliver continues to show a somewhat adolescent understanding of the situation, which makes sense given his lack of human contact for the past 17 years.
Despite the ample drama, there is a strong comedy thread running through Midnight Vista. Beyond Oliver’s often humorous reaction to what happens around him, the aforementioned Men in Black are actually pretty damn funny. They are pretty obviously not human and have strange mannerisms, but no one outside of Oliver seems to notice.
Beyond that, this issue flows pretty well and has a stronger streak of originality to it than the opening installment.
Clara Meath’s artwork also walks that fine line of comedic and disquieting. Large eyes make each character very expressive and sometimes a little cute. But, everyone’s also little lumpy, and motion is caught at odd moments in stride. Even the Men in Black look pretty funny, but their disguise is also bizarre and a little gross. It all amounts to a distinct and appealing aesthetic. Mark Englert’s color art is well-balanced and still quite lively as well.
Midnight Vista #2 is a strong follow-up to the intriguing first issue. Oliver is a strange yet likable character, the aliens’ motivations are still cryptic and vaguely sinister, and the visual stylings of Meath and Englert are unique and grabbing. This one gets a recommendation for sure. Check it out.
Midnight Vista #2 comes to us from writer Eliot Rahal, artist Clara Meath, color artist Mark Englert, letterer Taylor Esposito, and cover artist Juan Doe.
Final Score: 8/10