The Savage Avengers learn the ropes of the Hyperborean Age in Savage Avengers #2, by writer David Pepose, artist Carlos Magno, colorist Espen Grundetjern, and letterer Travis Lanham. Pepose and company find a good balance of action and plot in this set-up, proving that the first issue was no fluke.

The Savage Avengers all drop into the past at different points: Conan, Anti-Venom, and Dagger into a civil war, Daredevil and Cloak into a gladiatorial arena where they face down Devil Dinosaur, and Black Knight and Weapon H into a tavern. Deathlok comes out of the sea, kills several people, and makes his way to a forge to find a new weapon. They all meet up again in the dungeon, with Deathlok attacking and Cloak saving the day. Meanwhile, the cult of Set realizes that Conan is back and puts a new plan into action.

Pepose’s captions are a wonderful scene setter. Using caption boxes in this way is kind of old school, giving exposition and getting readers into the head of the characters. It’s an intriguing way of doing things that don’t involve using thought bubbles and gives the book a rather unique feel compared to other comics on the market. Old-school storytelling techniques don’t always translate well to modern comics, but Pepose makes it work.

The issue’s plot is exciting and well-paced. Each one is a little action set piece, the best being Daredevil and Cloak going up against Devil Dinosaur, but that’s pretty much a no-brainer. Pepose throws an interesting change at Weapon H and shows Dagger using her powers in new ways. Deathlok is a perfect threat, and Pepose writes him very well, an inexorable Terminator-like killing machine. He also drops a fascinating development with Deathlok, one that could play into the future.

Magno and Grundetjern turn in another great issue of art. The action scenes are nicely laid out, and they really sell every scene. The Devil Dinosaur scenes hit hard, as does the final battle scene. The flavor text of the caption boxes are brought to life by the art. Magno and Grundetjern make a great team and work very well with Pepose’s script.

Savage Avengers #2 is yet another triumph for this book. Pepose and company are two for two so far. Savage Avengers is one of the best Marvel books dropping right now, creating its own identity in the best possible way.

Grade: A