The transition from the sci- fi heavy Descender to the more fantasy/horror-focused Ascender is a major one and Volume 2 continues the worldbuilding, while catching us up through flashbacks on what some of our favorite characters (and some new ones) have been doing in the intervening years. The challenge is balancing that with keeping the intensity and urgency of the current plot, as Telsa races to get Mira off-world, pursued by the Mother's forces, and Andy faces off against "the vamps": people turned into vampires and controlled by the Mother.

Sometimes things slow down a little too much, but I appreciated the work to fill in the gaps, and the reveal on the last page of the volume had me pumping my fist. As always, Dustin Nguyen's watercolor artwork is stunning, and it's great to watch how he brings to life some of the more horror-laden moments.