Retro Review: "Cloak and Dagger" #2 Review!

After reviewing "Cloak and Dagger" #1, I just couldn't NOT read the others! Especially because there's only four in all! There's so much about the series that naturally draws me in. It's the fact that Cloak needs Dagger to survive...the fact that they are total opposites of each other but they still work in perfect harmony. It's the redemption that they both seek and their drive to make a positive difference in the world. Cloak is always there for Dagger and Dagger is always there for Cloak. You can't imagine one without the other and neither can they. Dagger has a heart of gold and Cloak has a hunger for souls that nearly consumes him at times. Their intentions are both very different, but they both strive for justice in all that they do. If there's scum in the world, they're trying to cleanse it. Issue #2 of Cloak and Dagger definitely wasn't a disappointment.


In this issue, Cloak and Dagger decide to confront the detective that was present when a young boy was killed in Issue #1. They offer their help and their services but it is only accepted when the detective figures out that something is different about the pair. There's a criminal in town who is tampering with Asprin. He's replacing the pills with Cyanide and the results are devistating. Based on some information, the detective is able to narrow down where the criminal will strike next. Without second thought, Cloak and Dagger disappear to find the criminal exactly where he was thought to be. This time, he's tampering with children's asprin. The sight is too much for Dagger to bear and she, for the first time, strikes someone with hatred as her intention. As Cloak is consuming the man, the detective bursts in and the comic begins to make you think. In Cloak and Dagger's eyes, the criminal doesn't deserve a swift fate. He doesn't deserve a second chance. The detective fights to take the criminal into her custody. She doesn't believe that it is up to the pair of vigilantes to decide his fate or to play juror. In the end, Cloak finishes him off and replies that he doesn't know if he can bring back the man when the detective demands him to.

Now that you know what's happened, let's analyze!

Creativity of Writing: 4/5 It's such a simple story, but it's enthralling all the same. Crazy conspiricies and far-fetched crimes are exciting and all, but I find it even more threatening/interesting when the plot includes a conflict that is more realistic. Nobody would think of something so simple! It's simple that it's frightening. It makes one think about how trusting consumers are and how easily one can turn to a life/pattern of hate and harm. It is a simple problem. It is solved quickly. Sometimes it's nice to wrap something up in one issue. With "Cloak and Dagger", the issues each have their own problems to be solved but overall, there's still a plot that isn't quite tied up.

Creativity of Art: 3/5 Like I've said before, this comic is illustrated very simply. It was produced in a time that comic book art wasn't quite the artform that it is today. I still enjoy looking at it, and there's nothing wrong with it. It's very fitting. But as an artist, I have to analyze it as a piece of studio artwork.

Overall Casual Read Rating: 5/5 "Cloak and Dagger" is definitely one of my favorite series! I LOVE it! It's so entertaining. It solves my boredom problems instantly. I'd take the issues with me anywhere...even if I'd already read them!

Note to the Creator(s): I would love, love, LOVE to meet you, Bill Mantlo. I'm so sorry that I will never be able to. I'm so sorry about your accident. I wish you the very best of luck.