In this review of The UnChosen #2, we learn some of the backstory of Aida’s mother and the origins of the mysterious Word.
The Unchosen #2
Writer: David Marquez
Art and Main Cover: David Marquez
Colors: Marissa Louise
Variant Covers: David Marquez, Nick Derington
Page Count: 28 pages
Release Date: August 13, 2025
This review contains spoilers.
The Unchosen #2 opens with a dramatic dream where Aida sees her mother whisked away into a purple vortex. Aida wakes up in “THEN”–moments after her rescue at the end of issue #1. Wandering the halls of a strange building, she meets Daniel who will become her friend at the school. She tells him of her mission to look for her mother, but he lets her know that the Novitiate—the students—don’t leave until they’re ready to fight.
Aida confronts Brother Reilly who promised to help her find her mother. Alex lets Aida in on his backstory. Her mother was a doctor researching rare diseases. Alex was a linguist trying to preserve old languages and stories. In his efforts to discover an older “truer” speech, he discovers the power of the Word. Fearing that he’d put her mother at risk, he left, only to return when Aida fell ill many years later. Alex reiterates that Aida can’t leave. This school is also a fortress meant to keep harm from coming in. He briefly describes the four attackers from the last issue as “…lost, corrupt. A servant of great evil.” Alex promises that once she learns to use her power of the Word that they will look for her mother.
We return to “NOW” where Aida joins Daniel at lunch. As they chat, Aida reveals that she is being summoned to see the headmaster tonight and expresses frustration that she hasn’t learned to use the Word yet like the other students.
The headmaster—a very tall female—delves deeper into the backstory of the Word. She describes the language the students are taught as Enochian Cant—not an ancient language but a creation of John Dee. She calls Dee’s language a farce, but it’s useful for teaching the students. She finally reveals the Word is creation made manifest and that their gifts come from a “higher place.”
Analysis
The Unchosen #2 begins to answer some of the many questions posed by the premier issue.
We learn a lot more about the Word and almost everyone else’s background. Aida is still a bit of a mystery here. We don’t know how she ended up in that crater or to what extent her true power lies.
We do get some really good character moments with Aida though, especially between her and her friend Daniel and between her and Brother Reilly. While the story of who she was is still in the mists, we are learning who she is now.
Marquez’ art style is engaging. With the children of the story, he leans into more of an manga style of art. When the adults take center stage, his art veers more toward realism and detail. It’s an interesting dichotomy, but it works for this story.
The coloring by Marissa Louise is again outstanding. It’s subtle where it needs to be, yet bright, bold, and powerful where called for. The headmaster’s pages are especially well done—some of the most beautiful work so far. The lettering by DC Hopkins is well done too. With a lot of backstory comes a lot of dialogue, but it’s never hard to read or understand. And the subtle shift in opacity of the word balloons on page one is a nice storytelling touch.
There are three panels on page 12 that are easy to miss. Small wordless panels that I think speak a great deal to Aida and her power and what is truly the crux of this story. Kudos to Marquez for the subtlety of those three panels. Curiosity piqued.
While I have faith in Marquez’ storytelling, I still feel Aida is almost a background character in her own story. We’re halfway through this four-issue mini-series now and I do see the pieces starting to fall together. But I’m also eager to see the rest of her journey.
I’m ready to see Aida take charge of her own story.
Final Thoughts
The Unchosen #2 gives us some much needed backstory to Aida’s world and the Word. The questions raised are getting some answers. Some beautiful art and coloring help carry us through the slow burn of Aida’s story.
