With such a fantastic first issue behind them, one would think that the second issue of the new X-book Marauders would hit a snag, or somehow be of lower quality. It does not, and this issue delivers more of Marvel’s Merry Mutants and their new status quo. However, some problematic elements are starting to show and need to be addressed.

Gerry Duggan once again writes the book with Matteo Lolli as an artist. Federico Blee provides the colors for the page and Cory Petit letters.

Issue two opens up with Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw talking politics, which acts as a frame for most of the story. While the two talk politics, the rest of the story focuses on Kate Pryde and her Marauders. From a fight with a mislaid shipment of mutant drugs. To a relaxing night on the town. The reader follows a day in the life of the Marauders. However, an interesting question is raised: who is the Red Monarch, and where does Kate Pryde fit in?

Once again, this is a delightful comic. Gerry Duggan has a fantastic handle on major, long-running characters like Kate Pryde and Iceman. They not only feel in character but evolutions of their previous selves. This compliment also extends to characters like Batroc the Leaper. Who feels like an actual person rather than a plot device like some villains of the week can. The banter between Emma and Shaw is also a delight despite having more serious undertones.

The art is also great, albeit with a rather odd note to cover. The action is fast and frantic, with the highlight of the book yet again being Kate Pryde’s brutally efficient method of combat… and Pyro once again wielding Lockheed’s Dragonfire as his method of flame. Both are entirely opposing ways of conflict, but Matteo Lolli has both styles down wonderfully. There is also an excellent visual continuity with time having passed, as the bruise on Kate Pryde’s black eye having faded without looking unnatural. However, the coloring has a distinct flaw that must be addressed.

Storm, Bishop, and Gateway are all three characters of various nationalities that require darker skin. Both Bishop and Gateway are descended from the Aboriginal Australian people (extended in Bishop’s case), while Storm’s blend of ancestors came from Kenya and the African-American population of Harlem. The fact that all three characters are shown with the same pale tone of flesh in dark lighting is downright bizarre and feels like the characters are being whitewashed when you notice that Kate and Pyro have almost the same tone of flesh they do in standard lighting. This happened the last issue with a scene set in the twilight, where Storm and Bishop both looked off, and they seem distinctively lighter in this book than in others. While skin tones can be difficult, this should have been noticed by an editor and fixed before publication.

Coloring issues aside, this is still a wonderful issue. However, the recurring ignorance of flesh tones in different environments really drags the book down a few points. Here’s hoping someone notices next time.

Grade: B+