Review: Horizon Zero Dawn vol. 2 – Liberation
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Publisher: Titan Comics
Writer: Anne Toole
Artist: Elmer Damaso
Colors: Bryan Valenza & Stelladia
Letters: Jim Campbell
Reviewed by: Joshua Raynor
Summary
The second volume of the ongoing Horizon Zero Dawn comic series, based on the hit video game by Guerrilla Games, is here! Horizon Zero Dawn tells the story of a far-future Earth full of epic natural beauty and forgotten ruins, where awe-inspiring, animal-like machines are the dominant species and humans struggle to survive in pre-industrial tribes.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Liberation collects issues #5-8 of the smash-hit comic series, where we see Aloy and Erend fend off deadly machines as the pair hunt down an Oseram tribe member’s killer!
Positives
When I saw that the second volume of Horizon Zero Dawn had come out, I was super excited. I loved volume one, The Sunhawk, and was really hoping to get more of this story, maybe even find out more about Aloy. Especially since I haven’t played the games at all. And while this volume did feature Aloy, it still didn’t center on her, nor did it continue from the first story arc.
Instead, we go back in time, as this story is set during the events of the game. Aloy and Erend are chasing after a murderer, and as they make their journey, Erend shares with Aloy the story of his sister, Ersa.
I loved the story structure in this arc. Getting to learn about Erend and his sister, while using the manhunt as a frame was superbly done. Anne Toole continues to do a stellar job with the storytelling.
Just like the first volume, this was an easy read. I never felt bogged down with too much information, yet also never felt like the story was being spoon-fed to me. She managed to strike the perfect balance.
Elmer Damaso did a great job with the artwork here. I don’t know if he was trying to keep a similar style to volume one, or if it just worked out that way, but I was happy to see it didn’t diverge too far from Ann Maulina’s beautiful imagery in The Sunhawk. And Bryan Valenza delivers yet again with stunning colors throughout.
Negatives
This one didn’t hit me as hard as the first volume. In this one, unlike The Sunhawk, there were times when I felt like there was missing information, as someone not familiar with the game.
Also, even though the art in this book is beautiful, it just didn’t quite live up to Ann Maulina’s art, which blew me away. I enjoyed what Damaso put forth here, but I guess I was just hoping for more.
And just like with The Sunhawk, I really wanted to see more of Aloy. As the main character in the game, I am hoping we will get a full story centered on her for us readers. Something to really satiate that need to know more about her, and see what she’s fully capable of.
Verdict
Overall, Liberation was another really solid chapter in the Horizon Zero Dawn story. Will we get any Horizon Forbidden West stuff coming soon? Because I’d love to see Talanah return, and maybe even team up with Aloy again, as well as Erend. Send the three of them on some epic quest, while giving us some more about Aloy. It would be perfect!
No matter what, though, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next!
