24: Underground #2 Review

Does the clock still tick for this aged property? Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

Now that you’ve seen Jack Bauer’s return to television in LIVE ANOTHER DAY, read the story that sent the heroic agent spiraling into his darkest days as an international fugitive. Ed Brisson and Michael Gaydos wind the clock on the latest chapter of the high-octane saga!

There’s certainly some narrative room for this action based franchise to strut its stuff via another medium beyond television. And this creative team knows exactly how to execute a classic 24 yarn even without the sound effects that the series currently enjoys. They get the blood pumping but sadly this is a tale made for the hardcore fanboys and fangirls that watched eight seasons and are already invested in the currently airing 9th day.

Ed Brisson knows his material as he draws in elements of the show along with his own cast of characters. He makes use of Jack Bauer and his simple but compelling persona by allowing him to do what he does best. Which means we’re left with a thin journey that carries excitement, adventure and even some suspense as the country of Ukraine becomes riddled with gunfire. I did find several of the reactions, especially by our protagonist, to be more than a bit stiff but still the bulk of this release moved smoothly enough to develop and sell me on this iteration.

What made it work, despite any minor flaws, was was the stellar art by Michael Gaydos. The talent offers a thick atmosphere that embraces individual detail while highlighting its own functionality. Add in the colors by Josh Burcham and the entire comic absolutely pulsates with its own defined soul. Beyond that the team perfectly rendered iconic shots, dynamic locations and memorable character interactions without missing a beat.

24: Underground #2 continues to build up Jack Bauer, while illustrating how our war torn veteran ended up even more on the run than he was at the end of season eight. It can be clunky but it manages to earn a recommendation form me.