Lady Freedom #2 - Second Sight Publishing

LADY FREEDOM No. 2, June 2021

Introducing a ton more “super beings from the Freedomverse” Art Bellfield’s narrative for Issue Two of “Lady Freedom” could certainly have baffled and bewildered some within this comic’s audience with its flurry of new faces, names and surplus of special abilities. But whilst the odd passage within this twenty-seven page periodical might require a second read, such as when Dread Devil suddenly transforms into his impish green costume so as to tackle a robot training simulation, the vast majority of this publication romps along just fine with its highly entertaining mixture of pulse-pounding pugilism, interdepartmental politics and time-travelling trickeries.

In fact, straight from its action-packed opening depicting Scarlett sparring off against Ultra Lass, this book barely allows any bibliophile a moment to pause for breath, and arguably even quickens its intense pace once the ever-arrogant Black Valkyrie has abducted Camille Arboghast during the villain’s sense-shattering escape from Tesla Prison; “Now, let’s have a chit chat between us girls an’ discuss those parents of yours and why out of thousands of failed attempts at replicating my powers your DNA seemed perfect for it. An’ then we can discuss how I am going to kill you for that very reason!” 

Equally as enthralling as all this publication’s plentiful punch-ups has to be the intriguing notion of “a nexus to all realities”, and that certain characters are actually able to teleport between the past, present and future. This captivating concept eventually leads to “the mysterious liaison between Lady Freedom and The Government of the United States” essentially becoming a younger version of “the ultimate Nazi weapon against America”, as well as shockingly cause the often referenced Tomorrow Man to finally materialise within the storyline’s modern-day timeline as nothing more than a seemingly powerless, gurgling baby boy.

Imbuing this comic with even more ‘bang for its buck’ are the clean-looking layouts of creator Larry ‘Spike’ Jarrell, which really help add some extra bone-breaking crunch to every blow, kick, throw and explosion. The artist’s somewhat short sequence illustrating the Headliners working together in order to rid Black Valkyrie of her prized possession from the past is particularly impressive, and quickly establishes that despite the occasional squabble, the team’s myriad of members can still operate together as a truly impressive, well-oiled machine.

Creator/Penciler/Writer/Plot: Larry Spike Jarrell, Script: Arthur Bellfield, and Finishes: Bill Marimo