Vixen: Return of the Lion # 2 of 5
By Koppy McFad
November 29, 2008 - 00:28
DC Comics
Writer(s): G. Willow Wilson
Penciller(s): Cafu
Cover Artist(s): Josh Middleton
$2.99 US, 32 pages
Vixen has journeyed back to her African birthplace for a spiritual journey but an evil warlord has something sinister in store for her.
This is a very strange story as it is focused almost entirely on Vixen's inner progress rather than showing us what is happening in the real world. The lead character has an apparent stomach wound but it is never explained how she got it. Nor does she try to get her wound tended but instead, fights with jackels and tries to outrun a lion. The first issue of this miniseries probably explains what happened and why Vixen is behaving this way but this issue gives us no clues at all.
The story seems too relaxed. One would think that Vixen was on a vacation if not for the occasional outbreaks of violence. Perhaps the spiritual part of this story is intended to be moving but it certainly isn't exciting enough.
The art is highly unique however. Vixen and all the characters are given highly individual looks. The lead character comes off as an almost-believable real African woman rather than an unattainable beauty-queen/pin-up model (even though the character is suppose to be an ex-supermodel.)
The attention being devoted to Vixen's inner self is a bit puzzling. She was the focus of a veeerrry long JUSTICE LEAGUE story just recently. The character seems troubled and confused and is trying to work things out. But we rarely get to see her in action. Even in this issue, she merely has to deal with threats that a man with a rifle could handle easily. Vixen could easily come off as some weepy character who can't hold her own weight. Maybe in the coming issues, she will finally get to unsheathe her claws. DC Comics is apparently pushing her to the next big thing. Maybe they should show why she deserves to be so.
Rating: 5/10
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Vixen: Return of the Lion # 2 of 5