Lucy has been contacted by a group of people who are interested in her skills as a successful werewolf hunter. She evidently hadn’t been too successful, though: the beasts are making a comeback. Now she’s forced to take on a group of apprentices who refuse to let her work alone in the second issue of Lucy Claire: Redemption. Writer/artist John Upchurch gives the title character a bit more depth and sophistication in the second issue of the series, which leans heavily into the drama before collapsing into action near the issue’s end. The series gains momentum in a satisfying second issue. 

Lucy Claire has been introduced to the fact that the werewolves are back. She’s ready to go to work, though she isn’t exactly enthusiastic about doing so. She’s even less excited once it becomes apparent that the people who contacted her don’t want to leave the work to her. Resigned to the fact that they’re going to follow her every move and work with her whether she likes it or not, Lucy is off to get her van out of the impound. That’s going to be a bit difficult as the impound lot is stalked by big, green werewolves of the Kore variety. 

Upchurch’s story gains some rhythm in its second issue. With Lucy Claire’s world firmly established, the plot bounces and bounds along in the direction of conflict as an old hunter tries her best to reacquaint herself with basic skills while trying to keep her unwanted companions out of danger. It’s a fairly decent fantasy action drama dynamic that feeds into the pulse of the story. Given more of a chance to breathe, Lucy Claire’s reserved, world-weary dialogue lends weight to the idea that she’s more than just a cute girl in a red and white jacket.

The art is also beginning to give the impression that Lucy Claire is every bit as experienced as the script seems to suggest that she is. Granted...Upchurch doesn’t exactly do a very good job of making her look all that much older than the kids who have contacted her, but he DOES give her the overall look of someone who has seen way too much in her short life. Lucy’s face and posture a kind of permanent exhaustion about them that vividly suggests an old warrior being dragged back into action. The striking subtlety of that characterization goes a long way towards making her an interesting protagonist. 

The gradual increase in action in the series gives Upchurch’s tale a definite direction. Though it’s difficult to imagine that there will be too many surprises that run through the rest of the series, there’s enough appeal between Lucy and her companions to carry the series through to its inevitable resolution. This issue Upchurch adds the concept of a hierarchy of levels (a presumably sub-species) within the werewolf community, which will also add a rising tension to the adventures that lie ahead. Upchurch clearly has crafted enough elements into the story to keep it interesting for the remaining issues in the series.

Grade: B