Motor Crush #2

Motor Crush #2

Story: Babs Tarr, Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart

Art: Babs Tarr, Camerson Stewart

Publisher: Image

Motor Crush #2 delivers on the the high-octane, uber-bright futuristic-motorbike-laden highs and seedy street gang lows promised in the debut issue of this bombastic book even if the story takes a shakier second step.

Domino awakens after a nightmarish vision of a former flame, Lola, in trouble and proceeds to question her dad about both her mysterious origin in this bubblegum techno world as well as her connection to the seemingly hyper-toxic “machine narcotic” Crush which is frankly, intriguing stuff. The kind of world building and character development that will keep myself and other invested readers on the hook.

After that, though, the story falters a bit. We’re introduced in actuality to Lola, who makes a kind of meandering impression here. She proves her worth as an incredibly intuitive mechanic and motorbikesmith (that’s not a word but it feels right – maybe that’s what they call them in the hyper cool future of Motor Crush). Otherwise though, her past with Domino is treated with a kind of faux-vagueness that while I’m sure will develop into something I appreciate, is kind of lackluster here especially so, followed-up with a kind of confusing high-stakes proposition.

Thankfully, the design and artistic aspects of this book continue to be so on-point, that story missteps melt away.

Awash in the pink glow and stunningly chosen and expertly placed graphical effects, Domino and friend’s character design shines as it did in the first issue. High octane chases, Tron-esque foes and neo-futuristic bike gear rarely look as cool as they do here. In fact, the series could probably be completely wordless and I would still be invested, drawn into these mosaic-like pages of wonder pastel futurism.

Ultimately, I think the book as a way to go in terms of developing into a story with real pull, but all of the elements are so cohesive and finely tuned otherwise that I can’t fault it too much. I’m still invested in Motor Crush, and I think you should be, too.