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.