Review - Mind the Gap #2

The out of body experience is a scary thing. The fright level gets amped up to eleven when you're both aware of said experience and can leverage the experience as a means of entering other bodies. Both scenarios are what Elle finds herself coping with in Mind the Gap #2.

The issue is published by Image Comics and is written by Jim McCann, illustrated by Rodin Esquejo and Sonia Oback and lettered by Dave Lanphear (variant cover by Francesco Francavilla.

Elle is a bit more comfortable existing in the Garden, a strange plane of existence between life and death. It's here that she's learning the ropes from Boby Plangman, a charmer of sorts and mentor in the Garden.

Elle's time in the Garden is the result of a targeted assault, the reason for it the subject of an investigation by Dr. Geller at the hospital. She's certain something is amiss and that Dr. Hammond is behind a strange conspiracy to bring in more victims.

The issue's finish features a surprise guest in the Garden confronting Elle with what is likely very important information.

McCann is very good at the ethereal and Mind the Gap #2 is no exception. What's interesting with this series is that McCann has turned a traditional story of moving between planes into a whodunnit.

The crux of the series is learning who exactly assaulted Elle and why. It's presented as a random assault that left her in a coma, but as you read you quickly learn there's more to it that. There's a mystery at the heart of the manifestations of consciousness and it's paced very well.

The art by Esquejo and Sonia Oback is very slick. With a story like this that transitions back and forth between reality and other planes, the duo do a great job keeping the reader grounded. There's never really a moment where you're confused as to where the story is taking place.

The second issue of the miniseries felt like it moved a lot faster than the first. That's likely because the first issue introduced the reader to a whole slew of characters, all of whom will play some part in unraveling the plot.

The best part of the story is the mystery aspect of it and McCann really has you moving along and learning what he wants you to learn when he wants you to learn it. The series is unfolding quite nicely and is definitely worth a look.

Mind the Gap #2 is in stores now with interiors below.