We Stand On Guard #2 Review

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist: Steve Skroce 

Overview:

Brian K. Vaughan, known for his run on the Runaways and Saga, and artists Steve Skroce have teamed up to create a series that is set in the far future, where the United States has invaded Canada. In the previous issue, Amber, the main protagonist, tries her best to survive and wonders around parts of Canada to search for her lost/captured brother. She later meets with one of Canada's last few militia groups called the Two-Four. How will things play out for Amber as a member of the Two-Four? Will she be able to gain their trust?

Synopsis:

The story starts off in the past around the year 2113. U.S. troops are invading each home in search for hidden weapons or freedom fighters. A young Amber and her brother hides in a dog house outside and witness as an elderly couple are taken away.

Flash forward to the present day in 2124, the Two-Four call in their tank to haul the mech they destroyed in the previous issue, while Chief and LePage stay behind to cover the tank's tracks. Dunn blindfolds Amber as the rest of the group begins their way back to their base.

The story switches to a U.S. military base at Baker Lake where an interrogation takes place. A prisoner, named Mr. Pittiulak, is questioned by a U.S. government official. She is then asked to meet with Colonel Storz for an urgent meeting. She teleports herself to the Ops room where Storz explains to her about one of their decommissioned mechs that was taken out by the Two-Four. She decides to send some infantry soldiers to investigate the issue.

The Two-Four arrives to their underground base of operations, and Amber goes to the locker room to wash up. While showering, she catches Dunn and his dog peeping on her showering, which in his defense, he was checking for scars for implanted tracking devices (good excuse in my book). They both have a discussion and we get a back story about Dunn. After that, they are told that Chief and Lepage are still out and haven't reported back yet. So, they decide to go on a search mission for them.

The story then switches to Lepage and Chief McFadden. McFadden and Lepage are still out patrolling and covering the previous tracks; suddenly, McFadden is spotted and tells Lepage to head out quickly. She is shot down by enemy soldiers, but she is still alive.

Review:

We Stand On Guard #2 overall did not have that spark like it did with it's previous issue, but it was a good read nonetheless. This issue gives readers an idea and visualization of what it's like for the Canadian freedom fighters especially for the Two-Four, which is a huge plus for me because it focuses on the world of this series instead of the characters heavily. However, there were parts in this issue where character interactions occur, back stories are revealed, and new characters are introduced. The story gives a glimpse of how the U.S. operates, their point of view on the war between Canada and U.S., and it gives the readers the impression that the freedom fighters are at a huge disadvantage. Skroce did a stellar job with the first issue. In this issue, he does a good job on portraying the character's body language and expressions especially with character interactions. He also does a great job on portraying the environmental and technological differences between the U.S. and Canada.

We Stand On Guard #2 is a great follow up from the first issue. It has an interesting plot; the story starts slow at first, but I feel it will pick up later. Brian K. Vaughan continues to create a fascinating futuristic, military science fiction with Skroce on artwork. I recommend this issue if you liked the first one.