If you have not read the first book, go read it now! This will all make sense and won’t spoil anything for you.
In book number two of Evil Empire, we start to understand a bit more of what this Evil Empire will be. In similar fashion to the initial issue, we start out with a glimpse 25 years into the future. The two book and scenes go hand in hand with one another. This brutality that is happening in the future is all thanks to one man. Kenneth Laramy.
We now know that Senator Laramy killed his wife and daughter. Picking right up at that public event, he explains more to why he did it and how they “deserved” it. It is clear that this man is a psychopath but what he will eventually bring forth to this world is only seen in the first pages of the books. Laramy goes and involves the musician Reese in this tragedy by quoting lyrics from one of her songs and takes them out of context. Needless to say, she is not happy with it.
During the trial of Laramy,we delves deeper into his reasoning behind why people should be free to do as they please. He says:
I’d rather have a world where people are free to do as they please, but they actually face true consequences whether that be their actions’ effect on themselves or the reaction of those around them, unmitigated by our retarded, archaic sense of righteousness.
At the end of his time on the stand (which is being televised), his words set off a chain of riots and murderous acts across the United States. It’s almost as if there was a plan set up and everything is falling in place for him. While in his holding cell, we uncover a little bit more of how this one single man with a thought of how he feels the world should be ran is going to be influencing certain individuals. The last scene in the book, Laramy is getting transferred out of Jail. I would imagine it is to go to prison but I am uncertain. Needless to say, there are 2 crowds of people to witness this transfer. One for those who oppose his actions and one for those who are for it. Of course there is a guy with a gun who tries to take matters into his own hands. Unsuccessful attempt to say the lease but Laramy’s words after got me saying “What?!?”
I’m hooked to say the least. I have to give it to Max Bemis on this one. He is taking the issue of misinterpreted song lyrics, an issue that has been around for decades, and incorporating it into a comic. I really like how that is an underlying aspect to the story and how it involves Reese who is “seeing” the opposing candidate now. I do find this to be pretty original, which can be very difficult to do with all that is out there. On top of the writing, the art is right there with it. The book looks great as a whole. I like that there is just the right amount of detail in the art work to make it look perfect for a comic in my mind. I am really curious to see how this Evil Empire with evolve of the next 25 years. I understand the want to have the freedom to do what I please but some people do think of the consequences of their actions. It will defiantly take a toll on them, as well as the rest of the world.
Evil Empire #2
Created and Written by: Max Bemis
Illustrated by: Ransom Getty
With Inks by: Ryan Winn (Pages 2-4, 11, 15, 18-19, 21)
Colored by: Chris Blythe
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover: Jay Shaw
Phantom Variant: Scott Newman
Second Print Cover: Andre De Freitas
Boom! Studios Exclusive Cover Signed Symbol Variant and Design: Scott Newman
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