Book Review: Last Pick: Born to Run by Jason Walz

Last Pick: Born to Run by Jason Walz is the second graphic novel in the series. I enjoyed the first book, and somehow missed this volume when it was first released. I highly recommend reading them in order.

Four years ago, aliens kidnapped most of mankind, leaving behind those they deemed unworthy—the “last picked.” The future for Sam is bleak and unthinkable. A galaxy away from her twin brother, she is a pawn in the aliens’ bloody civil war. But with her new friend Mia, Sam has found a way to resist her captors and hold onto her humanity. Back on Earth, Sam’s twin, Wyatt, is leading a resistance of his own. With a ragtag army of the old, the young, and the disabled, he has a plan to bring the fight to his alien captors. But to defeat the aliens, Wyatt may need to befriend one.

Born to Run is a solid sequel. We get both the continuation of Sam's story in captivity on an alien planet, and Wyatt's fight to save his friends and Earth from the same captors. Each story mirrors the other, with self discoveries and small hints at what might come in the future. I think the balance between action and character growth was well done, and I liked getting to see how Sam, Wyatt, and the groups in each location dealt with the obstacles that they had to face. There was a good deal of social commentary, but those that have read the first book should be prepared for that, about being better than our oppressors and using brain over brawn and violence to keep moving forward. Of course there is also that no one is a throw away, everyone has intrinsic value and will surprise those that underestimate them. The artwork is wonderful, and it captures the action and heart of the story. The characters have personality, and frankly look so tired of having to keep fighting for survival and a better future for everyone. My biggest frustration is a common one in action based graphic novels, the cliff hanger. While many things are dealt with and the story has moved forward significantly, this volume ends with a whole new series of questions and problems to be dealt with. 

Born to Run is a good continuation of the story. Readers that enjoyed the first volume of Last Pick will definitely want to pick this one up, and everything that comes after.