Skyman #2 continues the story of Sgt. Eric Reid as he’s been tapped to serve as the next Skyman in the military’s controversial program in order to clean up its public image in the wake of the debacle by the previous Skyman. But despite the Skyman Program wanting Eric Reid to mainly be their poster boy, he’s determined to learn how to control the suit fully so he can be a better hero. However when he sees jets as part of a training exercise on the international Skyman Goodwill Tour he has flashbacks of when he was flying in Afghanistan years ago in what would ultimately be a traumatic experience for him and he freezes up temporarily. He finishes the training exercise to the delight of the crowd in Egypt but Lieutenant Lark, the one who can remotely control the suit, isn’t happy about that and lets Reid know. Reid can understand not being happy with the way things have been going because he’s unhappy that he’s just being paraded around for show during this goodwill tour as opposed to going on actual missions to make a difference. But everything isn’t as it seems in the Skyman program because when he takes off the suit after this latest show and goes about his business, Lieutenant Lark is given the command to suit up  in order to handle a secret mission. So apparently things haven’t truly changed. But how will Reid handle this if he discovers what’s being done behind the scenes while he’s being paraded at these air shows, and what will be the fallout this time if the international community learns of this?

I enjoyed the first issue and felt the dynamics had potential for some really enjoyable issues going forward with Reid truly waiting to be a hero while those running the Skyman Program not only had ulterior motives but Reid had to deal with racism from within due to animosity because he was chosen to be Skyman to repair a public image. And with Reid being disabled in his day-to-day life while trying to cope with the traumatic memories of the incident that caused him to be disabled there was the potential for personal obstacles to overcome for character development. So I liked how this issue opened up with flashes of the incident that took place in Afghanistan years ago although it was cut short before any answers could be given and instead we’re given the airshow. And I was as unhappy about that as Reid was and even though the suit is shown in action it’s all just for fun and doesn’t demonstrate its true capabilities. I did enjoy how time wasn’t wasted in secret missions taking place behind Reid’s back but for a program that is determined to repair its public image and not get caught it was handled sloppily and in a way that could attract so much attention. The only bright spot about that was Reid was shown to be a true hero and determined to do good regardless of possessing the suit or not, and his willingness to help others, which would seem to be at odds with the program. So the irony is that Reid is actually the type of hero that he’s being paraded around as but not the type of hero the program actually wants. The way events unfold after that creates a perfect setup for some pretty exciting developments next issue but come off in this issue as a little simplistic in terms of the program knowing Reid wasn’t fully on board with its clandestine activities yet had no precautions in place to prevent any rash actions from him. And in the process a hero that appeared to be more nuanced in the first issue appears to be a little less this issue because of the lack of answers regarding his traumatic memories and the push to make him appear as a true hero seemed a little cliché. But one thing that is clear is he’s very bold and believes in the image of a role he was tapped to fill, which entertainingly puts him at odds with the program.

SUMMARY

Skyman #2 is an enjoyable issue that shows Reid’s true character and his role as a hero isn’t defined by the Skyman Program choosing him to be its poster boy. Despite the decision he has to make this issue when he learns that secret missions are taking place behind his back, he comes off as a less nuanced character and so do the others who also appear incompetent in the way they weren’t prepared to deal with any fallout from Reid discovering this. But the events that occur sets up a very interesting angle that has potential to truly move this series forward and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this occurs.

Release Date: 2/19/14

Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov

Artist: Manuel Garcia