Dysphoria #2 (Hollow Tree)

writer: Allison Torrey
artist: Liana Sposto

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I loved the first issue.  Did I love Dysphoria itself?  That's the test of the second issue.

What I loved so much about the first issue was how Allison Torrey and Liana Sposto gave Malcolm Reed a whirlwind experience.  Except the second issue is a direct continuation of that.  In a way, this is good.  In another way, this is disorienting.  It's a little difficult to remain engaged in the series when it tosses not only its main character but its reader from one moment to the next.  

Thankfully, it does settle down.  Malcolm (no relation to the Star Trek: Enterprise character) agrees to be captured by the oppressive bad guys.  Somehow his allies decided he could do this and not be exposed as the guy they just rescued last issue.  Anyway, best not to think of that detail too much.  Anyway, the cop (who technically represents the United States Air Force, and so technically is not a cop) who interrogates him (and, not technically an interrogation) plays it straight until he reveals he's know what was really going on the whole time.  Flip the script.  Always a good story beat.  Glad Dysphoria reached it at exactly the right moment.  

The question remains, will I read the next issue?  Was that enough to retain my interest, or was it a matter of too little too late?

I think so.  The interrogation is a chance to explore the central conflict of the series, and the fact that the cop plays it so cool brings a certain level of nuance to the proceedings, which is also always good.  But I think I've cooled a little after my initial excitement (always got to remember to temper that instinct...).  I like that I can construe events one way while Torrey technically plays them differently.  It means that she's not doing the expected so much as playing to expectations, and at that, fairly cleverly.

Cooled, but not completely.  That's a vote of continued confidence, all said.