Comic Book Review - The Ambassadors #2

The Ambassadors start to assemble…

After it’s perfect opening act, Mark Millar’s superhero epic returns for its second outing. With the next two Ambassadors recruited, we get to see what life is like for a superhero in training. Focus on this issue centres on the young Binnu Bhatia - who’s selfless act changes his world forever. 

We first set eyes on our soon to be hero as he’s caught up in a terror attack at a mall in India. Not content with simply standing by and doing nothing, Binnu offers to trade places with one of the hostages, which results in him getting shot. This act of selflessness then attracts the attention of Doctor Choon-He who then conscripts Binnu into her Ambassadors program. Due to being a native of India, Binnu’s new identity is a reflection of his heritage. As such Codename India is born. 

Where the first issue built around the mysticism to what The Ambassadors are, this second chapter starts to brake down the walls. As we follow Binnu across his training, Millar gives insight into how these super powers work, and Choon-He’s hopes for her Ambassadors future. What’s interesting about this is that it’s also revealed that each person is able to download up to three powers for themselves to use - and there’s various failsafes hardwired into each Ambassador too. This then got me thinking about IP and how this would transfer into a world of super powers - for Millar to then approach the subject himself. 

Even though this issue is a somewhat origin story to the newest member of the team, Millar doesn’t lose sight on building the wider narrative. As always that classic twist is played out in a spectacular way. Not only does the proverbial wool get pulled from our eyes, Millar shows zero foreshadowing in what’s revealed. It’s the perfect accomplice to what’s yet another grand display of the writers pedigree. As with all good things, this second issue sadly has to end at some point. To keep you invested in why comes next we’re taken back to the premise of Choon-He being the Willy Wonka of super powers. She may have the goods, but everyone wants the secret formula. And this is probably what’s going to drive The Ambassadors forward. 

Art for this issue is provided by Karl Kerschl, who gives a softer tone when compared to Frank Quietly back in issue #1. Kerschl employs an almost anime softness to his line work that really plays into the more intimate story that’s being told across this issue. Each scene is packed full of small detail that really helps to build the atmosphere, while making sure your attention remains focused on the foreground. This is then backed up by Michele Assarasakorn who’s colours bring a warm embrace to proceedings. 

Overall, this issue does a good job in fleshing out the wider ethos to The Ambassadors. We get to see what drives their powers, as well as Choon-He’s ultimate dream for her project. We also get to follow the person who’s to become Codename India as he’s introduced to this new world and it’s limitations for those chosen to be Ambassadors. With the wider narrative slowly revealing itself, issue #3 is already shaping up to being a must read! 

Rating 10/10 (again!)

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev, and TikTok @Geekculturereviews.