Phaeton Proterra Issue 2. Maria Lantsuta. (Writer and Art), Darya Lantsuta (Colours), Tatyana Lantsuta (Translation). WP Comics (2017)

Very engaging and enjoyable second issue where the story takes off and the dramatic stakes are raised very nicely. Anna is growing increasingly concerned about her fiancee Theo, and is finding it difficult to persuade others to take her seriously. When she does the problems for the merc team become significantly greater.
The story development in this issue is superb, moving from an apparently trivial matter to to a significantly consequential one without ever breaking the thread of the story. There is a great deal of action and development put into the issue that never feels rushed or cramped. There is an interesting dramatic  play used to move the story from a focus on an apparently overreacting female to a significant and verifiable problem. Anna is forcefully following her concerns and creates the circumstances for an important discovery. The transition to the the to management of the discovery is a little too fast, it does not really give enough time for Anna, a little more space for her would have been welcome. The discovery is significant and the outcomes are great, the plot mechanics surrounding it are very engaging, they bring out the science fiction strength of the comic in full force and they lead to a great set up. Maria Lantsuta is happily willing to raise the stakes of the story in a smart and credible way.
The art is a pleasure to read, the cast are expressive, responsive and varied. This is subtle science fiction art , the context is full of details tat bring weight and depth to the story, the technology is used in natural and interesting ways. The panels are used very well to move and control the pace of the story, the backgrounds on the pages are used very effectively to create a contunity that supports the action.
Darya Lantsuta's colours are superb, they capture and amplify both the science fiction context and the emotional tones of the story. The cast are given definition and depth by the colours, the bright colours are glowing from the future of technology, the subdued shades bring in the cast and the low key aspects of people doing stressful dangerous jobs for a lot of different reasons.
Tatyana Lantsuta's translation is not entirely smooth, the words are not entirely as natural English speakers would use them, this is also very nice, it is a pleasure to get non Anglophone comics and constructions never draw the reader from the story.
Phaeton Proterra  Issue 2 is a reminder of the deep pleasure of smart science fiction comics, original talent and powerful storytelling.
Chief Wizard Note: This is a review copy very kindly sent by Kim Roberts, to purchase a copy of Phaeton Proterra  Issue 2, which you should to luxuriate in confident romantic science fiction, one of the joys of the world, you can get it here   http://www.wpcomicsltd.com/comics

Phaeton Proterra. Maria Lantsuta. (Writer and Art) WP Comics (2016)

Very entertaining science fiction story that has an intriguing context that is skilfully used. Humans can travel across the galaxy via the Proterra, a parallel info-world. Such a resource is attractive to those who would loot it and so it is protected by a security force, Mercury. An attack by a a serious criminal, Horus is responded to by a Mercury team and it does not go well. The implications and repercussions of the event ripple nicely through the issue setting up story possibilities.
Any first issue has a number problems to solve in a limited space, set up the context for the story, introduce the cast and give the reader a reason to return for the next issue. Maria Lantsuta manages all three with craft and economy. She wastes no time in establishing the context, the opening page takes care of that with a lovely balance between the text and the art. Then the reader is plunged directly into the action as a information burglary develops in an unexpected fashion. The story mixes the private concerns of the cast with their security duties very credibly, the cast are given the space an opportunity to emerge in their own right.
The art is a pleasure to read, the cast move naturally in their context, the action scenes are very well choreographed, they move fast and have an impact, the quieter moments are expressive and thoughtful. The cast are good looking and , thankfully, well proportioned. They move with grace and confidence, their body language is as clear as their speech.
The colouring is subtle and engaging, it is science fiction colouring that quietly and effectively develops the context and details of the circumstances that support the context. The balance between the art and the colouring allows the cast and the action to come to the fore while firmly anchoring them in a specific time and place.
 Maria Lantsuta has compressed a considerable amount of story detail, action and explanation into a single issue without every making it overcrowded or clumsy, the cast have a heartbeat beneath their armor that engages the reader. This is very high quality, crafty science fiction that makes story promises that I look forward to being delivered in unexpected and intriguing ways.
Chief Wizard Note: This is a review copy very kindly sent by Kim Roberts, to purchase a copy of Phaeton Proterra, which would be very good idea  since smart science fiction comics are clinically proven to enhance living, you can get it from http://www.wpcomicsltd.com/comics