Review - Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 (@AspenComics)

"...that next arrow could be meant for me."

Having good friends always makes life easier. Having good friends when roaming a post-apocalyptic world makes life easier as well. In Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 from Aspen Comics, Lola has a great running crew which will pay off. The issue is written and illustrated by Siya Oum and lettered by Zen.

In the epic first volume, the tough-minded Lola learned the brutal reality of the apocalypse within the confines of the ruthless Wasteland Trading Company led by the treacherous Edgar and his posse! However, the true challenge lies ahead, as her desire to be reunited with her lost parents still burns greater than ever!

Oum wastes no time throwing Lola right back into the thick of it in Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1, but this time around she's focusing even more so on relationship dynamics. Not quite romantic relationships mind you; rather, Oum is strengthening the bond between Lola, Conrad and Monarch. Most of Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 focuses on those three and the fact that the ruthlessness of the world around them has brought them closer together working well to develop them as characters. Toward the end of the issue Oum switches gears a bit and focuses more on the plot for the second volume, all of which seems to revolve around a new bad. The change in narrative style isn't really jarring as Oum methodically builds up to it, offering the reader a good bit of world-building alongside expository.

The artwork in Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 is nothing short of beautiful. Oum has been illustrating Lola long enough now that the character herself shows a maturity that comes from Oum's familiarity. Oum's style emphasizes the foreground action, offering little in the way of detail when it comes to backgrounds and setting. Oum's linework is very distinct that--when coupled with her watercolor style--makes the book feel somewhat anachronistic in a way that fits the tone of the story. Her colors run the gamut from lush greens to dusty browns and everything in between, providing a fully-realized world.

Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 is a worthy start to the second volume volume of Lola's travels. Lola continues her quest to find her parents, but living in a post-apocalyptic setting has a way of interfering with daily itineraries. Oum's script is sound and provides a great blend of dialogue and direction. Oum's art is fantastic and sets the stage well for the events to unfold. Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 is a great read that takes the reader back into Lola's world without missing a beat.

Lola XOXO Volume 2 #1 is available now.