That girl really gets around, and she STILL ends up in the sewers.
Wrath #2
Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (February, 1994)
For whatever reason, the scan I’m using (after a hunt as where I got #1 is missing #2, but #3 is up there) is missing a title and credits page. The cover lists Barr, Ammeran, and Gustovich. This is the only information I have, and it must be missing entirely. I went to the Grand Comics Database and they suggest David Ammeran and Mike Barr did the writing, with Ammeran on pencils and James Pascoe on inks, but then guess the colorist and letter, possibly from the previous issue. So somebody goofed up something somewhere. On with the review, I guess.
Rescued by Mantra, Wrath and the sorceress head back into the sewers to find the guy who attacked him…when he isn’t trying to stop himself from checking her out (if only you know, dude, that she’s a reincarnated dude) or capturing her for Aladdin. Speaking of which, there appears to be a bit of an experiment power struggle as some doctor has a new pet project but the general is happy with Wrath. As the scientist goes messing with the files, even calling for “Project W” to be shut down we also meet Wrath’s girlfriend and some guys hired by the scientist to kill Wrath. Back at the important story, Mantra and Wrath find the attacker, whom Wrath later designates as “Hellion”. It turns out that absorbing electric and nuclear power isn’t what he likes; he prefers to absorb mystical energy, and is considering getting Ultras to fight his sister to reclaim his throne. Working together, the duo defeat Hellion and his flying disk pal Modeus, chasing them off before he kills Mantra. Which is fine with him as he doesn’t want to kill a woman. (He doesn’t know, either.) Wrath allows Mantra to get away and calls for help in finding Hellion.
What they got right: There’s more to this Hellion character (or whatever his actual names is) that could make for further stories. The battles are okay.
What they got wrong: Showing us Wrath’s girlfriend and then having her lust after Mantra is not cool and feels shoved in, joining the stuff at Aladdin in feeling like a waste of time as it takes us away from the actual story.. The backstage issues at Alladin are a waste of time and I almost didn’t bother even discussing them, but it might play into the next issue.
What I think overall: It’s a short series so I may stick with it awhile longer. There’s some interesting ideas going and I want to see where they go. This was a decent issue.
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