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.

 

Rafael García: Henchman #1 Review

 

Rafael García: Henchman #1 Review

Story: Peter Murrieta

Writers: Peter Murrieta & D.E. Schrader

Artist: Ben Herrera

Colorist: Emmanuel Torres

Letterer: Clay Adams

Cover Artists: Kit Wallis, Orlando “Mexifunk” Arocena, Dan Mendoza

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: March 25, 2026

 

Rafael works for Maverick, Inc. He enjoys hanging out with his coworker Kyle and trading gossip about the boss they’ve never met. Scott may be a pain, but Danny is a cool squad leader. But what happens when Danny decides to retire? Will Rafael get ideas above his station? And even if that throws him into danger, might that be good for his life? Let’s strap on our combat armor, leap into Rafael García: Henchman #1, and see!

 

Story

At Maverick Inc, Rafael and Kyle stand on guard as other employees load the plane. They don't know what stolen goods Maverick plans to sell, or where the buyer lives. But as Scott keeps everyone updated on the loading progress, Rafael lightens the monotony with a little dancing and singing. Kyle urges Rafael to look the part of an armed guard and not draw attention to them. Assuming Maverick exists, Kyle doesn't want their boss blaming them if things go wrong.

 

In Rafael García: Henchman #1, Danny’s decision to retire prompts Rafael to reevaluate his life. His landlord belittles him. His girlfriend left him because he lacked ambition. Rafael doesn’t understand why people don’t esteem him. He’s traveled around the world, and his boss has the potential to change it. He enjoys his exciting life. Yet other people have the security of regular paychecks and health insurance. Rafael wonders if people would regard him differently if he earned more money and held a management position.

 

Peter Murrieta and D.E. Schrader's story covers the risks and potential rewards of advancing through the ranks. While Rafael wants to know more about the company he works for, he yearns for the good life. Maverick may work for a villain, but he'd like nothing better than for everyone to be happy and work together harmoniously. But in Rafael García: Henchman #1, being a boss can get you killed.

 

Art

While a woman directs loading, Rafael dances in place before the airplane. Dramatic up and down angles enhance Rafael’s positive energy amid the routine duty. At Josh’s urging, they move apart and resume proper defensive stances. But when trading intelligence, the two friends in uniforms and combat armor draw nearer again.

 

As Emmanuel Torres lavishes bright and cheery colors on Ben Herrera’s art, blue dominates the first half of Rafael García: Henchman #1. The soldiers stand in their blue uniforms before blue backgrounds. After their duty shift, they gather in the blue-dominated coffee shop. As Rafael and Josh sit with their departing boss, Danny epitomizes "coolness" with his ponytail and handlebar mustache. The dark bangs hanging over Rafael's left eye enhance his easygoing appearance. Of the three, he smiles the most. And only Rafael wears a shirt adorned with the blue Maverick logo.

 

Clay Adams fills white balloons and boxes with black uppercase letters that grow bold for intonation. The balloons grow spiky when people communicate via radio. Enlarged letters dance in a joyful moment. Yet sound effects signal that worse trouble than an exploding plane lies in Rafael's future. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Rafael works for a secret organization. Yet he's oblivious about the need for secrecy. And while his boss adapts to changing times, Rafael is trapped by his yearning for the good old days. His love for people and his desire to help others could help Rafael improve his life. Or they could complicate his future when he gets "too close to the flame" in Rafael García: Henchman #1.

 

Rating 9/10

To look inside see my preview of Rafael García: Henchman #1.