Taking The Red Throne With Marauders #2
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
The Marauders continue their mission of bringing mutants home to Krakoa, and Emma Frost convenes with the Stepford Cuckoos for advice and help. Emma then meets with Sebastian Shaw, the other head of the Hellfire Trading Company. Emma knows Shaw has been bartering with the Krakoan medicines, and she’s had Kate and the Marauders intercept those shipments. We then join Kate Pryde and the Marauders raiding one such ship captained by Batroc the Leaper. The Marauders are able to pacify Batroc and his crew with ease, and we rejoin Frost and Shaw discussing the matter of the vacant Red Throne of the Hellfire Shipping Company.
Marauders #2 continues to track the high seas adventures of Kitty (now going by Kate) Pryde and her team of mutant rescuers. It also focuses on the negotiations between Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw, as Frost needs to reprimand Shaw for his illicit and possibly treasonous activities.
It’s a high energy and upbeat read, even as we learn that Sebastian Shaw is back to his old ways and the crew deals with the events of X-Force #1.
The identity of the Red Queen is fairly predictable as you read the comic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This Red Queen has definitely earned her title, and it’s definitely an intriguing new position for this mutant. Plus, you can’t help but root for her.
Matteo Lolli once again provides some top-notch visual work for Marauders. His detailing is impressive, the characters express themselves well, and he clearly has some fun with many of the scenes. Federico Blee gives the book a vibrant and energetic color palette fitting for this particular crew of Marauders.
Marauders #2 is another fun and exciting installment for this crew of mutant pirates. We get to see the team throw down with Batroc while Emma dresses down Sebastian Shaw. It’s a very enjoyable comic, and it’s worth a recommendation. Check it out.
Marauders #2 comes to us from writer Gerry Duggan, artist Mattelo Lolli, color artist Federico Blee, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson, and variant cover artist Tony Moore with John Rauch.
Final Score: 8/10
