by Joe Schickman, Reporter

After developing game changing breakthroughs in the field of robotics, Kenji and Aurora created the C-47s, the most advanced androids the world has ever seen, dwarfing anything else on the market. In return for their tireless efforts, their boss, Etan Crane, illegally fired them, knowing that his political clout and vice grip on the legal system ensured he would face no consequences for breaking their lifetime contracts. So Kenji and Aurora agreed to enact revenge by stealing the source of his wealth and power, his supply of the precious material, gallium, thereby ruining him, and making them rich beyond measure in the process. Their secret for success? Four C-47 androids disguised as Aurora’s family, named Graham, Regina, Jade, and Milo. However, with their plan ready to enact, Johnny, a mysterious figure from Kenji’s war days, shows up unexpectedly. We know that Johnny is in trouble, owing a lot of money to violent criminals, with the bill past due. What is unclear is why Kenji is hesitant to be rid of this obvious danger to their plan, especially given Johnny’s unscrupulous nature. What secret from Kenji’s past is he hiding, and how will Johnny’s presence impact their plans?

Official Synopsis:
In a near future where automation has caused mass unemployment, programmers Kenji and Aurora’s careers seemed safe. But when they are suddenly fired, the couple hatches a desperate plan: assemble the perfect heist crew out of androids they programmed. The ensuing crime spree goes perfectly… until betrayal and sentience emerge in equally devastating turns!

Creative Team:
Story: Jason Starr
Artist: Dalibor Talajic
Colorist: Stjepan Bartolic
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Editor: Bobby Curnow

Covers:
Main: Dalibor Talajic & Stjepan Bartolic
Variant:: Goran Parlov
Incentive: Roland Boschi & Stephane Paitreau

Silicon Bandits # 2 picks up immediately after the closing pages of the last issue. From the offset, Johnny is suspicious of Kenji and Aurora’s guests, though he does not know that they are advanced C-47 androids, illegally produced without the telltale translucent skin required. Kenji tries to convince Johnny to move along, but to no avail. Instead, his insistence seems to embolden Johnny, who perceives leverage to manipulate and control Kenji. Kenji still refuses to kick Johnny out, and confesses to Aurora it is because he owes Johnny a life debt after Johnny rescued him during the war.

That night Johnny tries forcing himself on Jade, and in fighting him off, both Jade and her father Graham expose themselves as androids. Johnny threatens to turn them all in, so Aurora decides to make a deal and take him into their confidence, hoping his greed for a ⅓ share of the score will deter and satisfy him. Kenji and the androids remain uncomfortable with Johnny’s involvement, but Aurora is convinced it is the only way.

Will Johnny be content to follow the plan, or will his presence spell doom for their heist? Everything comes to a head in the last pages, and as the chaotic finale peaks, we are left to worry for Kenji and Aurora’s new family, and hope they have a few more tricks up their sleeve.

Events pick up pace quickly in Silicon Bandits No. 2 as Jason Starr’s story unfolds dramatically. The stage set in the prior issue allows for the character’s motivations to be clear (though somewhat uncomplicated), causing their actions to flow believably enough. Kenji’s reticence to send away Johnny is frustrating as a reader, but demonstrates a code of honor that can be respected if not fully understood. Aurora’s decision to make Johnny complicit in their heist, thereby tying his fate to theirs, seems hasty. Yet our concerns as a reader are mirrored by the other characters, validating them and adding to the believability.

Artist Dalibor Talajic and colorist Stjepan Bartolic both utilize reserved techniques to fill each panel with expression and life without overindulging, resulting in a tangible world with implied details acting as a scaffolding for our imaginations to fill in. This works to great effect in their efforts to sculpt a futuristic yet relatable environment, which is enhanced by unique angles and framing. The color pallets reflecting lighting shifts from scene to scene further cement the reality in the panels, and help the reader feel the flow and chapter breaks throughout the story.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives Silicon Bandits # 2 3.5/5 Brain Probes

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