Danka’s Destiny Just Got Real
If Issue 1 of Zodiac opened the door, Issue 2 kicks it wide open and yells, “Welcome to the ride!”
Vortex Studios isn’t just dropping another superhero book, they’re weaving something bold, mystical, and deeply relatable.
This is Lagos, ancestors, and cosmic powers colliding on the same page, and it’s fire.
About the Book
Title: Zodiac Issue 2 – Embrace the Dark
Publisher: Vortex Comic Studio
Creator: Somto Ajuluchukwu
Script & Story Development: Oyeniran Oluwatosin
Line Art: Jonathan Sanni (Esemjay)
Colors & Letters: Ebere Josiah
Cover Arts: Collins Kevin
Concept / Auxiliary Art: Toyin Ajetunmobi, Collins Kevin
Editors: Ebere Josiah, Oyeniran Olutayo, Janice Barnett
The Story So Far
Issue 1 introduced us to Danka, a Lagos kid with way more than childhood on his plate. He’s bonded to a Zodiac, an ancient force that drags him from the slums straight into the mystical.
But in Issue 2: Embrace the Dark, things level up. Danka isn’t just special, he’s chosen. The ancestors are watching, his sister Diallo is caught in the tide, and otherworldly beings are stepping onto the stage.
This isn’t a story about finding yourself anymore, it’s about carrying destiny.
And with how it ends? Trust me, Issue 3 is about to throw Danka into storms he never saw coming.
The dark is whispering, and it’s only getting louder.
The Art – Clean, Bold, and Relatable
Jonathan Sanni’s line art hits the sweet spot, it’s clean, it’s sharp, and it’s relatable.
Every panel feels alive, from the gritty Lagos backdrops to the surreal, mystical landscapes.
The art doesn’t just tell the story, it grounds it, reminding us this is both a world we know and one just beyond our reach.
Coloring – Vivid but Balanced
Ebere Josiah deserves props. The coloring in Issue 2 is nothing short of brilliant.
It’s vibrant without being distracting, emotional without being overwhelming. Darker shades pull you into the tension, while bursts of color remind you this is a comic that celebrates its roots.
The palette doesn’t confuse, it clarifies. Every page feels like it’s breathing.
Storytelling – Culture Meets Myth Meets Heart
This is where Zodiac shines. The narrative is layered, at once mythological and deeply personal.
Danka isn’t just some random “chosen one”, he’s a kid from Lagos, facing struggles you recognize, even as ancestors whisper his destiny.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue flows, and most importantly, you want to know what happens next.
Why You Should Be Reading This
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter superhero comics, Zodiac is your antidote.
It’s African, it’s cosmic, it’s cultural, and it’s got heart.
From Lagos slums to ancestral planes, the story blends the ordinary with the extraordinary without losing its soul.
Rating – 4/5 Stars
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 Stars)
This one’s an easy 5 stars. The art, the colors, the storytelling, they all click together.
Vortex Studios isn’t just telling a story, they’re building a universe worth following. And trust me, after reading Embrace the Dark, you’ll be itching for Issue 3.
This isn’t just Danka’s journey, it’s one for all of us who believe culture, myth, and creativity belong in the same frame.