Mass Effect: Evolution #2

“I’ve been having headaches since I woke up. Visions — of darkness, and destruction.” — Jack Harper

“Evolution, Part 2”

A new series featuring the origin of our galaxy’s most mysterious powerbroker — The Illusive Man!
Published by Dark Horse • February 16, 2011

Written by John Jackson Miller

Story by Mac Walters

Art by Omar Francia

Lettered by Michael Heisler

Colored by Michael Atiyeh

Covers by Massimo Carnevale and Joe Quinones

Edited by David Marshall and Brendan Wright

This issue took the characters to two settings not yet seen in comics: Arcturus Station, and the planet Illium. We also meet Saren, Desolas’ brother, and a very important figure in the game.

With this issue, the theme of science and magic being interchangeable as described in Arthur C. Clarke‘s third law, moves to the fore. The Clarke reference, suggested to me by the naming of the artifact in the series, seemed like something Jack Harper would naturally know about.

We also got to see that Jack had many new powers, including the ability to use languages he hadn’t known before. It all came from contact with the artifact.

“I’m just afraid some of it might actually be magic…” — Jack Harper

The resignation of General Williams, referred to in the game, is actually shown here — or, rather, we see the decision being made.

I had already been writing about a Jedi named Arca Jeth in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic comics — but the name of the monolith here is coincidental, coming from Mac Walters.