Review - Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #2

When last we left our heroic hero of a thousand and one nights, Aladdin had just received the power of the lamp and was well on his way to Shambhalla. Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #2 opens up with the expected fanfare and parade, which is either the logical point to pick up the story at or a fantastic reception on the part of Radical Comics for the second issue. I know Radical loves us an everything, but I'm guessing starting an issue with a parade isn't a thanks to us the reader. I do love you fine readers out there, and for that I'm treating you to the pomp and circumstance of a review of the second issue.

I should start by saying this issue is DENSE. 64 pages! I kept reading, looking for the logical cliffhanger ending and when I got through at least five of them I realized the issue would never end. This certainly isn't a bad thing and then it did end...which is ok. As mentioned earlier, Aladdin has arrived in Shamballa as the Golden Prince and his coming has raised certain emotions in the kingdom's inhabitants. The King Rhokari sees it as an opportunity to fleece the Golden Prince (see what I did there?), while Princess Soraya is reasonably suspect of a complete nobody becoming a prince overnight. And then there's that other guy, the sorcerer Qassim.

As a sorcerer, Qassim has certain "influences" at his disposal; in this case, convincing the King that Aladdin is a threat and should be apprehended upon next arrival. Rhokari does so, thrusting Aladdin into confinement and Qassim into the driver's seat of the kingdom (there are dogs and swine involved in the plot as well, but I'll save the details for your reading). Aladdin makes a daring escape and Qassim is "left" alone (you'll see what I mean when you read the issue). We're treated to a meeting with another favorite of those same Arabian nights, and the duo team up to save the princess from her captivity. Meanwhile, Qassim is actively seeking out Aladdin for taking something that belonged to him.

Ian Edginton continues to writing duties while Stjepan Sejic and Patrick Reilly's illustrations are phenomenal (the lettering by Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt is also awesome). It's really hard to critique the story considering it's a timeless tale, but I like the liberties that Radical is taking with it. Aladdin is still a thief at heart and Qassim is actually pretty badass, considering he has no qualms about turning people into animals and summoning magical beasts to throw at Aladdin. If the third issue is also 64 pages I think we can look forward to a very dramatic final confrontation between Aladdin and Qassim.

The tale of Aladdin isn't anything new and readers looking for original material should look elsewhere. What you can expect though with Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #2 is a very imaginative take on Aladdin the world he inhabits. There's enough sword, sorcery and swashbuckling to make for an exciting read. All 64 pages of it. Check it out in stores this week for $4.99 and check out the alternate covers below.