In the second volume of Death Note, we get to see Light Yagami further experiment with the powers and capabilities of the Death Note. Raye Penber, the FBI agent assigned to investigate him, and his fiance, a former-FBI agent herself, become inextricably wrapped up in the Kira mystery. L, an enigmatic recluse pursuing Kira, reveals himself to the task force and begins closing in on Light as a suspect.

Things progress nicely in the second volume of Death Note. We spend a bit more time with L, learning about his thought process, habits, and his theories about the Kira case. We also begin to see the lengths to which Light will go to follow his dream of a utopia, even if that means killing innocents. You still get that Encyclopedia Brown-vibe with L and Light (they figure things out with so little to go on and then have to explain to you, at length, how they did it). But Light is also able to play the charismatic teen who only wants to help, and it’s disturbing how he can go from this to serial killer within a matter of seconds.

This is a great manga… I can’t wait to keep reading!