Ten women have entered a contest to see who will be queen. Having survived the first test, the remaining women head off to a desert biome where further dangers await them in Battle Girls #2. Writer/artist Frank Cho continues the Running Man-style deadly game show series with action, monsters, and intrigue that continue the appeal firmly established in the first issue of the series last month. Colorist Sabine Rich casts the vast desert of the second issue in a richly dynamic texture from the blazing sands to the thick hides of the predators chasing the contestants. It’s pure, simple fun with a little intrigue thrown in. 

The remaining contestants have made it to the desert biome, where they will be forced to face threats from each other and the natural dangers that lurk in the sand. Xandra Blackwater, the eye-patched redhead from the deep min of Helgrave, remains the frontrunner, causing some concern amongst those in charge. She may not be quite what she seems. Jaxa Wyman of the Citadel is a serious contender, too, but don’t rule out Busan’s resourceful Rache Lauren as a possible contender as well in a challenge that will pit the girls against giant sandworms, lizards, and each other.  

Having established the overall format for the five-issue series in its opening installment, Cho follows it diligently in its follow-up. A line-up of headshots of the ten contestants gives way to establishing shots of the new location before everyone rushes out toward the goal. What appears to be a fairly straight shot is soon beset by a couple of serious predatory obstacles. Cho keeps it fun as all of the women in the contest manage some level of mystery. The behind-the-scenes intrigue adds a nicely satisfying dramatic layer to the main focus of the action.

Cho has come up with a remarkably simple look for the surprisingly appealing series given the simple format and costuming. There’s really no reason why the visuals of this series shouldn’t be mind-numbingly boring. Cho uses a very basic action format that keeps everything moving on the page that combines well with appealingly interesting characters. Rich might have been tempted to add in dazzling color effects to punch things up a bit, but she never reaches for more than the situation requires. The deserts look beautiful. The monsters look powerful and threatening. It all works thanks to the impressive fusion between Cho and Rich. 

A second challenge is completed in the second issue. The basic format appears to be one challenge per issue with a big finale in which the implications of the intrigue come to the fore. It’s a fun idea for a series that still has a chance of delivering the unexpected. A format that feels as simple and regimented as Fight Girls has plenty of room for sudden changes to come out of nowhere because the basic narrative rules that Cho has set up seem so totally rigid and inflexible. It’ll be interesting to see what Cho does with this as the series reaches its midway point next month.

Grade: A