“Samurai Jack” #2 by IDW (2013) was released today. Issue number 1 was on the cusp of provoking nostalgia. As an introductory issue it was a little too far on the side of hokey, or campy. Just a little. I still had faith that the second issue would enrich the story.

I was not disappointed. Apart from the art, the incredible thing about Samurai Jack cartoon series by Genndy Tartakovsky is its creative genius. Every show was original enough in content, and twist to stand on its own. Why it was cancelled before Tartakovsky had a chance to end it is one of the most aggravating television dilemmas in cartoon history – it was just cancelled, contract fulfilled.

Issue #2 of the new Samurai Jack story arc titled “Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” finds Jack on the trail of, well – the threads of time. For fans of the series Jack's objective to get back to the past to prevent the future from falling into the hands of the evil Aku has taken Jack through otherworldly journeys, and has him encountering lots of magical objects.

The threads of time themselves are fibers of the “rope of eons,” a time marking device used by the gods. The rope was stolen from the heavens by Aku. Once he had mastered the chronal knowledge Aku shredded the rope, and thought it destroyed. Apparently threads still exist that carry time-traveling magic. A single thread will lead Jack to the others. If he finds them all he can rewind the rope, and rewind his place in time.

Issue #2 follows Jack into a village on top of a mesa, where the thread he possesses has led him to another thread. Therein he encounters a set of enforcers, twins named Dis and Dat. This is one of the few fights in the series, broadcast or published, where Jack gets his sword handed to him. The fight, however, is important as it teaches him a little more about what properties the threads have.

The art, by Andy Suriano is fantastic, the story written by Jim Zub is a tight Samurai Jack episode tied into 22 pages, and the expectations we are left with increase by the last page. We wish Jack all the luck and providence in the universe, but will he succeed? Four seasons of Jack says no. But it will lead to the next adventure.

What I truly anticipate from this series is a resurrection of excitement for the franchise, ultimately resulting in the concluding animated epic where Aku gets a magic sword through his eye. *sigh* One can hope. One can hope.