Rafael García: Henchman #2 Review

 

Rafael García: Henchman #2 Review

Story: Peter Murrieta

Writers: Peter Murrieta & D.E. Schrader

Artist: Ben Herrera

Colorist: Emmanuel Torres

Letterer: Clay Adams

Cover Artists: Flops, Ben Herrera & Ramon Villalobos

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

Lita said he'd be a good squad leader. Or at least, that's what Rafael heard. It's been two years since she kicked him out. Still, with his squad leader’s retirement, perhaps Rafael has a shot at impressing the love of his life. But can Rafael be a cool boss like Danny and handle the demands of leadership? And can he resist the call of cannabis when his former girlfriend sells stems and seeds? Let’s strap on our combat armor, leap into Rafael García: Henchman #2, and see!

 

Story

Once Rafael secures his promotion, he makes a beeline for Medical Organix. His former girlfriend is happy to see him. Still, she's on guard. She's worked hard to get where she is in life, while Rafael has just coasted along. Lita also objects to Rafael’s assumption that they can pick up where they left off. Two years have passed since she kicked him out. Even if he has changed, that period of separation is hard to ignore.

 

Rafael García: Henchman #2 sparkles with characters who love each other even if they don't know how to get along. Peter Murrieta and D.E. Schrader also take time to show how Rafael performs on a new mission. Unlike before, when he could ignore the rules and goof around with Kyle while others loaded planes, now people are looking to Rafael for direction. And while Kyle encouraged him to try out for squad leader, it’s another thing entirely for him to take orders from Rafael.

 

Amid the action and drama, Rafael García: Henchman #2 peels back the curtain to reveal more of what happens at Maverick Inc. As his new boss said, they like promoting from within. Maverick may be a shadowy figure no one sees. Still, the supervillain tries to move with the times. So instead of hanging out in a castle, their company headquarters is called FlexWorx. Ongoing training helps employees learn new skills and keep up to date on modern labor regulations. Regular meetings with their workers help maintain morale, as the Justice Battalion is always ready to squash Maverick's schemes.

 

Art

Rafael spreads his arms wide as he appeals to Lita. Then, his hands fall to the counter, before crossing his chest as he grows resigned to Lita's demands. When she turns away, Rafael's gaze falls. Yet after the heavyset squad leader addresses his past, his pierced and tattooed ex-girlfriend smiles when he finally relays his news in Rafael García: Henchman #2.

 

As Emmanuel Torres lavishes bright, cheery colors on Ben Herrera's endearing art, Lita's green T-shirt links with the teal Maverick symbol on Rafael's chest. His dark blue T-shirt matches his suit adorned with black armor as Rafael directs his squad on a night mission. A metal apparatus gleams against the blue sky as light glows from windows in nearby brown and black towers. But while their gold canisters link with a red, white, and blue hero, the emblem on his chest and shield form an uneasy association with Lita's T-shirt.

 

Clay Adams fills white balloons and boxes with black uppercase letters that grow bold for intonation. Rafael’s thoughts appear in puffy clouds. The balloons grow spiky when people communicate via radio. Enlarged letters dance in a joyful moment. Words swell and threaten to burst balloons when suffering distress. Giant yellow letters link with his new boss’s hair and earrings as Rafael strives to tag onto this rising star at the company he loves. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Rafael has advanced to Squad Leader. He has reconnected with his girlfriend. He thinks he’s finally arrived at where he needs to be. Rafael may love Lita and admire his supervillain leader. Still, he must work on improving his skills and abilities to forge a secure relationship with Lita and gain the respect of his squad in Rafael García: Henchman #2.

 

Rating: 9/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Rafael García: Henchman #2.

 

For how this series began, see my review of Rafael García: Henchman #1.