The first volume of Fire Power revealed a pleasant story of formation but this sequel still published by Delcourt is a visual burn and an action fire. Protect yourself because the fireball is coming…
Nothing but ashes in Fire Power
In the previous episode of Fire Power, the reader enjoyed following Owen Johnson's initiation in search of his origins. After a difficult journey in the Himalayas, the young man reached the Shaolin monastery to discover the secret of the fireball. Thanks to the mischievous advice of Guru Wei Lun, he had been able to master this technique just in time to save the community from an evil opposing group. During this siege, Owen discovered that the Scorched Earth Clan was connected to his parents. However, in a very unexpected flashforward, we discovered Owen father family quietly having a barbecue. The sequel was therefore eagerly awaited to explain this change. 
But the fire is still burning
While the first volume of Fire Power was centered on Owen's apprenticeship, screenwriter Robert Kirkman radically changes the period here. This abrupt break can disappoint but it also makes the reading more surprising. If in the previous book it is the story of the origins of the hero that was unknown, it is here the chronological hole between the two volumes that creates suspense. Why did Owen leave the community to return to America? How did he reconcile his adoptive parents? Behind the façade of the banal antique salesman, Owen hides his past from his two teenage children. He also complicated his life by marrying a law enforcement officer. The meeting in a supermarket of a man from Owen's past surprises his daughter. More seriously, a shadow observes the whole family as she organizes an afternoon with friends. This very successful mix between a banal daily life, an obscure past and a possibly dangerous present is the salt of this volume. The main character of Fire Power is getting more and more exciting. In the first episode, he may seem selfish as he has renounced his clan to choose a comfortable family life. He fades in front of his wife and hides everything from his family. However, the conclusion of this episode shows that he is not a liar but a sentient being who wants to flee danger. He gave up on his near or distant past to build a future as a family. Even if the setting changes, we find the theme of family, dear to Kirkman. However, Owen went from being a son to a father. After having done everything to discover his past, he is ready to do anything to defend the future, his children. He will have to rise to the occasion as old threats return as new enemies leave the dark rooms. Exoticism is no longer on the other side of the world but in the daily life of an American suburb.
A draftsman at the top
All this scriptwriting would be artificial without the fantastic work of cartoonist Chris Samnee. He manages to make each character alive by a very successful mix between the purity of the clear line and the realism of the comics. His action scenes are beautifully cut. The reader will understand, for example, without any dialogue a ninja fight in the house where Owen must defeat without noise so as not to wake up his loved ones, which would reveal his secret. As a bonus, we find the superb covers of the same cartoonist and commented sketches of the different characters. In addition, the very talented colorist Matt Wilson avoids the banality of dark tones for the choice of bright colors contrasting with Owen's dark past. Even at night, sudden touches of color surprise. This second stage of Fire Power is full of surprises. Exit the training in a monastery to make room for the false normality of family life in the suburbs. The action never stops in a story that behind the fights contains exciting characters and a beautiful story about the family as often with Robert Kirkman. Also, as with the first volume, the last page is frustrating. How long will it take to read more? If you liked this review, you can find the chronicle of the first volume of Fire Power as well as Once & Future in the same collection.
