The Reading Bud

Book Details:

Author: Sebastiano Lanza
Release Date: September 22, 2025
Series: Burn My Shadow (Book 2)
Genre: Graphic Novel
Format: E-book 
Pages: under 100 pages
Publisher: Markosia Enterprises
Blurb:
In Leipzig, Tharmas devises a plan to kidnap Thomas Crowley. To do so, he’ll need assistance from a quite extravagant tech wizz, a rather inhumane amount of patience, and a very light footstep. Even so, plans rarely unfold as first imagined.

Review

Burn My Shadow #2 takes readers deeper into its dystopian, cyberpunk-inspired world, where surveillance and control dictate every aspect of existence. This issue ramps up the tension by placing Tharmas and young K in the thick of shadowy deals, infiltration missions, and encounters with faceless enforcers. At the same time, we see propaganda speeches from the ruling elite, dripping with doublespeak that reframes oppression as progress. The contrast between the cold sterility of those in power and the grim desperation of those in the streets makes for a sharp and unsettling read.

The writing is dense with themes of compliance, resistance, and survival, while the artwork excels at amplifying the mood. Stark whites and clean lines dominate the scenes of propaganda, while the rain-soaked cityscapes and back-alley dealings pulse with grit and urgency. Tharmas, weary yet determined, is fleshed out further as a morally complex anti-hero, while K brings both innocence and moral tension to the story.

Issue #2 successfully balances world-building with forward-moving plot, setting up the confrontation with Crowley that promises bigger stakes ahead. Though some of the political speeches may feel lengthy, they reinforce the chilling reality of this authoritarian future. With its mix of noir tension, political allegory, and cinematic visuals, Burn My Shadow #2 is a gripping continuation that solidifies this series as one to watch out for.

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