Look at that cover! Look at it! This was the cover that caught my eye and why I picked up this series in the first place. So, imagine my surprise when it was my least favorite of the three current issues. Because the cover is amazing!


I think that this story is going to be epic, but because there are so many plots, subplots, characters, places, etc. going on, these beginning issues may suffer a bit, until the world is fully developed, and Warren Ellis is able to get into the meat of the story. It doesn’t happen in Issue #2 though, but the world is being fleshed out.


We see the scientists more fully, and Marsh is concerned about flowers now growing around the Tree at their arctic station. We don’t learn why they’re growing, but if I had to guess, black flowers aren’t really native to the arctic, or even to the world. Or, at least, I’ve never seen a black flower. So my guess - the Trees are branching out and growing these alien flowers.
They (the aliens) don’t believe Earth is populated anyway, so it would make sense if they are enhancing our planet for their benefit.


It was great meeting the rest of the research team, and I can’t wait to learn what they’ve learned about the Trees and these new flowers.


We’re also introduced to a couple new characters. In a small town in Italy, we meet Elgia and Tito. Tito is the leader of a local gang, and Elgia is his arm candy. We also meet the President of Somalia I believe, Caleb Rahim. His part is pretty small, but I think there’s going to be major conflict in future issues revolving around him and the Tree he lives near.


Again, this wasn’t my favorite, but it seemed to focus on introducing more characters, while also bringing about more plots and subplots that will most likely have importance later on.


I’m definitely going to continue with this series, and I am looking forward to reading more!