Irredeemable Vol 2

5 Responses to “Irredeemable Vol 2”

1. K. W. Schreiter says:

   April 21, 2010 at 1:59 am

   This second trade paperback collects issues #5-8 of the acclaimed Boom! Studios superhero-gone-rogue comic book series “Irredeemable” from writer Mark Waid and artist Peter Krause. The narrative alternates between The Plutonian’s superhero past with his allies The Paradigm and his terrifyingly nihilistic supervillian present-day persona. Krause’s artwork remains strong, and the development of the cast of new superheroes and partial revelations of The Plutonian’s motivations made the tale more enjoyable than that of Volume 1.
   
   But, I offer one significant criticism of Volume 2. Commendably, BOOM! priced Volume 1 at a mere ten bucks. Volume 2’s thickness makes its $16.99 take in fee seem reasonable… at first. I finished reading Issue 8 and then was surprised to see the variant covers for the four issues so early in the book. Then I was dismayed to find that the page count is padded by a fourteen page preview of another Mark Waid series! BOOM!’s list fee of $16.99 for a measly four issues limits on the outrageous (more expensive than even the $3.99 individual comic books!), and lacking Amazon’s discount I would have felt ripped off.
   
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
2. Frow says:

   April 21, 2010 at 4:52 am

   Having gotten back into comics late last year to get caught up with all the majors leading up to Blackest Night, I happened to review some reviews on Irredeemable Vol 1. Comics in all-purpose have turned a lot darker than when I used to collect, but the beginnings of this trend were noticeable even back then. So of course I bought it. The reason Irredeemable seemed so fascinating was not only the thought of a Superman-like being(The Plutonian) turning to the dark side, but that it was not due to mind control, possession by a spirit, or exposure to a red meteor. The words and art blended perfectly to show the small sleights, insults, and pressures that turned the Plutonian into the most feared man on the planet.

   After cruising through vol 1, I agonized over whether to try to start buying the monthlys or wait until Vol 2 came out. I chose to wait and for the most part it was really worth it. Thought it was fantastic how the tale developed, putting small spins and twists on some of the cliches we’ve known and loved. In Vol 1 it was what went down when Tony’s secret identity was learned. In this volume an example was a brief interlude with Tony as a kid trying to use his powers to fix something…and things go horribly incorrect.

   I would really call this follow-up riveting. My only slight dig and why I did not give it five stars was that I thought it was to some extent fleeting and I would have liked another issue or two in each volume. That having been said, Vol 2 does end on a pretty macabre note so maybe that is where it was supposed to end. Some may like the advanced look at Potter’s Meadow, another project by the writer, but I kind of saw it as filler belonging in the back of a monthly ala the Batman/Doc Savage preview that kept cropping up in DC. I personally wanted to see a small more behind the scenes of Irredeemable–what was going through the head of Mr Waid. In synopsis I would say certainly go out and buy both volumes, but see if you can save a few bucks to do it.

   Now the agony of…can I wait for volume 3 in July or should I just head out to the comic store?
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
3. TastyBabySyndrome says:

   April 21, 2010 at 5:49 am

   When this first started, we learned of how terribly things had gotten. A superhero the likes of which the world had never seen turning on a population, finding victims in both singles and in the millions. We also learned that the man had once had friends, and now these friends were being targeted. Now we see more of what had happened with this person – what deeds had been done – and how depraved things had become. We also see how the few remaining “excellent guys” have figured out how to track this man, and how they are preparation on shutting this guy down for excellent. This means having a lot of things take place, and it means that a lot more people will die.
   
   So, can the Plutonian take it, or will he finally start to falter?

   When I see the comments about Volume one and Volume two, I reflect of the differences in the books. In the first book, you had to introduce people, you had to see what was happeningand you had to taste the horror that could be felt by anyone on the planet. This left for a lot of building, and it left times when there were few things happening. In the 2nd version, but, you see pieces of what the Plutonian is and what could drive him to this. In later comics in the series you find out exactly why this all happens – what the parents were like, how the world saw him, and how certain actions he caused impacted people. Still, you see things here – the children for one – and the horror unleashed.
   
   It is an incredible read.

   The tale you see here is fantastic, and it only gets better. Even in later stuff just now building it to the shelves, you learn about Tony (the Plutonian) and what he has done. He really feels alone, has a need in his life, and he tries to fill it with pieces of a ex- one. This means a lot to the people hunting him and, in turth, it means that they are falling apart. Tony has a lot to smile about in additional parts as well, because additional people are hunting the heroes. Not only does this mean death, but it means death at the hands of a lot of people.
   
   Poor heroes. They should have known when to walk away and known when to run.

   Me – I cannot find fault in this tale. It has twists I couldn’t have guessed, a hero gone killer that is willing to ruin entire cities just to make a point, and heroes that are on the brink of apt just like him. I like that about the series and i know others would like this as well.
   
   It questions us to be careful who we worship – one day we might have to question ourselves what we were thinking when the smoke clears and the bodies have to be counted.

   Excellent stuff plus an extra 14 pages of material for people who like their extra sketches, thoughts, and whatnot. Me – I was sold on the additional stuff long before then and I reflect anyone checking this out will be as well.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
4. D. Mansour says:

   April 21, 2010 at 7:52 am

   Vol 2 I would go as far as to say, is better that vol 1. It continues to explore the descent of the the worlds greatest hero into the worlds most feared villian. I highly recomend this book. Fantastic writing.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
5. N. Manning says:

   April 21, 2010 at 8:57 am

   I am hooked on this series that centres around the mightiest superhero who suddenly turns to the dark side and becomes the most evil super villain. We start out by meeting the last living member of The Plutonium’s ex- superhero group, The Volt and a flashback to his joining of the group. This book heavily focuses on the group members as they regroup, try to locate The Plutonium and figure a way to bring him down. The dynamics between them and the individual personalities all take shape. There is also tension in a personal situation. The group does track down Plutonium’s lair but one member goes off on his own to confront Plutonium and through flashbacks we find out the truth of events that lead up to his turning evil. The volume ends with a bit of a shock that leaves us hanging on for the next volume. I am really enjoying these characters. While not everyone yet has been a major focus, the ones who have been are showing to be many layered with multiple aspects to their characters with backstories and personal lives beyond just being super heroes. I am nervously awaiting Vol. 3 which will be out later this year.

   An added bonus in this volume at the end of the book, after the usual Art Gallery of take in art, is a 14-page preview of Mark Waid’s Potter’s Meadow which I must say has me very interested
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5