'KINO Vol. 2: The End of All Lies' by Joe Casey with art by Chris Cross is a graphic novel in the Catalyst Prime Universe series.

Alistair Meath is presumed dead, but he has awareness and a strange inner life as a superhero, but he is becoming aware that is conscious may be part of a construct. Meanwhile, outside agents discover the truth as well. The corporation tries to keep Alistair and his secret contained but that may not be possible much longer.

This story has been prolonged too long. It finally breaks free in the last issue in this collection but should have after the first one. I like the premise and the odd internal comic book that KINO finds himself in, but the spy intrigue stuff just drags. The art is much better this time around and the story my finally be off to a good start in the next volume.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Oni Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

"Kino Vol 2" is a rather slow second volume. I wished the story was a bit more interesting but it's an okay follow up to the first volume.

What really gets me about Kino is the slow pacing, at least three semi-converging plot lines, and trope-ish elements.

The book continues to move at the same glacial pace as volume 1. KINO is still trapped in a computer simulation by a stereotypical, arrogant scientist, having dreams of being a comic book super-hero. It's not until the final issue that any action occurs, at which point, it's exactly what you knew would eventually happen. Criss Cross's art is a big improvement on volume 1's Jefte Palo.

Solid science fiction plotting that takes us to another world mingles with colorful illustrated storytelling in Kino.