Warren Ellis’ take on Marvel’s 1980s misfire, the New Universe, returns for a second run around the block. I say “Second” – there’s pretty much nothing in this issue that suggests it’s a sequel story. It’s essentially nothing more than newuniversal #7, and boy, does it show. If you’re looking for a jumping-on point, well, forget it. This is the second arc of newuniversal, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything but – except on the cover.

A pity, really, because I came to this book without much knowledge of newuniversal at all, and I’m left floundering somewhat. I’m loosely familiar with the new universe’s concept, as well as Ellis’ rewoking of it, and I do genuinely think that it’s a good idea to give this kind of property – a universe experiencing the emergence of super-heroes – to someone like Ellis, who is exactly the kind of man you want handling it.

There’s a quick recap of the events in the newuniversal’s past on the first few pages which do, to be fair, succinctly explain the concept. The next few pages are devoted to what reads like little more than a rant on Manhua, including a page of the “comic within a comic” – I get the feeling there’s a little bit of The Black Freighter creeping in as a reference point, but overall it reads a lot like one of Ellis’ self-indulgent diatribes that his comics are full of. If it adds anything to the story itself – beyond emotional resonance for the characters, given what happens shortly after – I’m not certain.

The remainder of the issue establishes a mystery and has the characters, who are now vaguely familar with, start investigating it. The story really picks up in the second half and I’m almost tempted to get the next one and see where it’s going, but it’s clear to me that as intriguing as this story looks, I need to go back and read the first trade to properly enjoy it.

Artist Steve Kurth takes the place of Larocca on art, and he’s got something of Phil Jiminez/Alan Davis about him. One major art flaw, though – at one point Starbrand remarks that “you can’t see the stars at all” – mere pages later, the sky is shown with stars in. Colouring fail? It’s rare a detail like that is jarring, but when a mistake like that does happen, it really rips you out of the comic.

Overall, it’s fairly enjoyable, though only in the sense that any comic you read set in an unfamiliar universe can be. I’d like to know more, but this isn’t remotely the best place to start learning.