Salvager Vol 2. The Wreck Raiders. Bob Salley (Writer), George Acevedo, Chris Gevenois, Eric Godeau (Artists), DeSika, Fahriza Kamaputra (Colours), HdE (Letters). Source Point Press

A wonderfully unexpected and engaging continuation of the Salvagers story. The crew having survived the journey to salvage the wreck are returning to the space station to offload the cargo and settle the debts. The cargo is not quite what it seems and that is the point where Bob Salley takes an unexpected route with the story. There is a vivid and deep expansion of the context with the introduction of the Klandarian Pirates. They are not simply roving thieves, there is a strong and sharp back story that intersects nicely with the salvagers. The greater political and historical depth gives the story considerable depth and gives the action a considerably sharper edge. The Klandarian Pirates have been employed to recover the cargo the salvagers now have, they get more and less than they expected when they arrive at the ship and the plot reveals are very smartly staged. The following conflict has a increased set of layers that are carefully put together to mover the whole story very far forward.
Bob Salley has the confidence to move the story out of the expected while still managing to hit all the genre beats, they all take a different flavour in the light of the extended context. The hovering threat from Blackbane, a private security force comes into focus and the political and social wreckage from the Galactic War becomes significant. The developments arise naturally and steadily from the story and they  draw the reader further and further into the action.
George Acevedo, Chris Gevenois, Eric Godeau continue to shine with the art, the space opera context is delivered with all the relevant detail and physical weight. The new cast members are as energetic and forceful as the rest, they have a determination to pursue their aims that make them very powerful. The social and political context is captured with sufficient detail without ever overwhelming or slowing down the action. The action kicks up a notch as the plot threads starts to wind around each other and cast respond expressively and energetically.
DeSika, Fahriza Kamaputra colours give physical depth and weight to the dynamic art, they bring out the subtle differences in the cast and make the body language clear and critical.  HdE's lettering and sound effects are as subtle, unobtrusive and vital as they were in the previous volume.
Really good space opera is a rare treat, Salvagers has the confidence and talent to deliver it, using of the unlimited budget of comics and the superb story this is the real thing. Taking the reader seriously enough to push the story possibilities, having the confidence to dive deep into the genre this griping story is just a deep pleasure to read and enjoy.

Salvagers Vol 1.Abandonded Cargo. Bob Salley (Writer), George Acevedo, Chris Gevenois, Eric Godeau (Artists), DeSika, Fahriza Kamaputra (Colours), HdE (Letters). Source Point Press

A very enjoyable and engaging space opera. After a Galactic War a precarious peace exists, within this there is still trouble and problems. These can leave wreckage behind, abandoned ships or space stations that need to be recovered for their residual value. Salvagers are commissioned to recover these wrecks, take the risks and get the , sometimes, high rewards. The salvagers are often the flotsam and jetsam of the war, finding the stability of peace a little to restricting and enjoying the danger of salavaging.
Bob Salley takes a familiar route in this story, a crew member causes a problem that needs to be resolved by the rest of the crew embarking on a dangerous salvage mission. When they arrive at their target there is significant trouble and getting out alive, let alone with any cargo becomes a significant problem. There is a really good reason these story lines are familiar, they work really well if the writer is committed enough to give them the room to work. Bob Salley has a confident grip on the plot mechanics and the genre requirements and gives the story momentum and a nice tension. The reveals are neatly staged, the action is fast and very well staged, the crew have the energy needed to register with the reader as individuals.
The art by George Acevedo, Chris Gevenois, Eric Godeau is a pleasure to read and it captures all of impaction's and context necessary for the story to work. The context details are critical, they create a sufficiently different location planet side and on board the space ships to ground the story in a solid physical reality. The cast move through the context with confidence, they are strongly expressive and sufficiently varied to give a sense of the variety of lifeforms in the galaxy. The leading female character is physically likely, tough and engaging enough to never be walk on eye candy. The aliens are more or less humanoid bipeds, there is enough variety to keep the mix interesting without ever creating a problem for action when needed.
The colouring by George Acevedo, Chris Gevenois, Eric Godeau is wonderful, it brings out the details of the art in a quiet and subtle way, it gives the story depth and force that it should have. The lettering by HdE is quiet, the sound effects are not both flow naturally with the story and art without ever distracting from either.
Saying a story is a really good example of a genre always seems like damming with faint praise and that is the opposite of what I intend. Grasping genre requirements forcefully in a story and using them effectively is a rare talent, delivering the thrill that a space opera fan like myself is looking for is a tough job to pull off. All of the creators on this book work strongly to deliver a vivid engaging story. A treat for science fiction comic fans.