Writer: Greg Pak
Art: Giulia Giacomino
Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 20, 2024
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Lilo & Stitch #2 Review.
THE DISPATCH
As we saw last issue, Stitch gets kidnapped by a new adversary called the Cluster Sovereign and escapes to the bustling environment of New York City. Here in Lilo & Stitch #2, the Cluster Sovereign’s minions are on the hunt for Experiment 626, and it’s up to Lilo to find him first! A great thing about this issue is that it has heart. There is a lot of emotion packed in the pages, particularly related to family, or as they call it in Hawaii, ohana. The characters are presented as very in-character and they align well with how they are depicted in the various movies and shows in which they appear.
We feel the deep emotional connection between Lilo and Stitch, as well as the loving sisterly bond between Lilo and her older sister, Nani. Just as Lilo wants to protect Stitch and keep him safe, Nani shows how nurturing she is towards her beloved little sister, helping her recognize that she cares about Stitch too and wants to keep them both safe. Even with Stitch, we see a sense of loneliness and discomfort as Stitch realizes he must keep his distance from Lilo in order to keep her safe from those trying to pursue him. We also see that despite being in a new environment, that doesn’t change how Lilo and Stitch interact with each other or those around them.
ART
The art in Lilo & Stitch #2 aligns well with the animation style of the movies and show. Even despite the characters being in a new environment, the characters in New York City are still reflective of the Lilo & Stitch animation style. The fact that much of this issue is set in a toy convention, brings with it people in various costumes, and Giacomino certainly showcases variety with style. At one point though, it doesn’t seem like the art matches up with the dialogue, as a mother voices disgust at Stitch’s appearance while wearing a huge grin on her face. There is no indication she is wearing a mask either. It almost seems creepy, although it’s probably not meant to be.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Lilo & Stitch #2 is a fun continuation of this story that’s packed with emotion, highlighting the familial bond the characters share. Stitch’s desire to keep his loved ones safe supersedes his desire of being around them. Now, he must walk a lonely road in yet another new environment, unaware of the dangers that may lay ahead. Will Lilo and Stitch be reunited? Will Stitch be able to thwart the mysterious Cluster Sovereign? What new challenges might he face next?