Sublife Vol. 2 sees a steady development (both plot and skill wise) from the first volume. There's lots of good stuff here, and the influences are very clear from Clowes and Ware right through to Anders Nilsen and the rest of the Holy Trinity lot. There's funny stories about jealous bloggers, a one pager about a fictionalized Babe Ruth (named Socko), and a Mad Max homage among other shorts, but the cover story 'Deep Space' is what cements Pham as one to watch.

'Deep Space' continues on from Sublife Vol. 1, where we find Captain Ho, Commander Wallach, and their newly-adopted space-faring companion Deek making a desperate attempt to return home. Deek discovers a mysterious red crystal that may be able to power their ship home by harnessing the power of a nearby nebula. If that sounds like pretty standard Star Trek stuff by any geek's rulebook, you wouldn't be wrong, but Pham's storytelling adds a new dimension (no pun intended) to an old trope. 

Invigorating compositions, beautiful illustrations and careful pacing make 'Deep Space' more than just a sci-fi story. On a full two page spread, the ominous Cyclops Nebula looms over Captain Ho's most cherished memory of his wife and kids. The persistant color scheme, with almost no use of black is fresh and captivating. Most of all, Pham's confident visual treatment of what warping would look like is a stunning and freaky multi-page trip. Might take you back to your mushroom tea days...

The rest of the stories in Sublife Vol. 2 are great little quips in their own right. If there is little mention of them in this review, it's attributed not to their own merit, but to the simple fact that 'Dead Space' is one of the best comics stories I've read in years. One of the downfalls of the modern indie comic creator is an urge to start a bunch of storylines and see which one sticks. Here Pham has found something worthwhile, and definitely worth a bit more time and pages.
Adrian K. Sanders