Heroes, Vol. 2 [Hardcover]

Tim Sale (Illustrator), Various (Illustrator), R. D. Hall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2008

The Emmy Award-nominated NBC TV series HEROES comes to comics in this spectacular hardcover graphic novel! With art by some of comics' tops illustrators and stories by the writers of the HEROES TV series, this volume features comics chapters previously seen online at NBC.com, This volume features artwork by Tim Sale that first appeared in the TV episodes.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–The collection of chapters 35-80 of the online graphic novel is a companion to NBC's television series. It offers glimpses into the lives of Ando, Adam Monroe, and the Haitian, as well as other characters. Familiarity with the characters and plotlines is essential as the chapters jump from one story to another with no introduction. Several authors and illustrators contributed the quick-paced storytelling and full-color artwork, producing a few jarring transitions. Most of the stories are illustrated in the familiar American superhero comic style; a chapter on legendary figure Takezo Kensei is appropriately–and amusingly–presented as manga. Fans of the show will enjoy this gap-filler between seasons, but newcomers will definitely want to check out the previous graphic-novel compilation and perhaps some DVDs.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library END --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: WildStorm (November 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140121925X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401219253
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but could be better, December 16, 2008

By 

Llaman87 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroes, Vol. 2 (Hardcover)

This book has all the graphic novels from the time-frame from when season one ended to when season two would have ended if not for the writer's strike. That's basically all it has in it. There are Isaac Mendez paintings spaced throughout, but no commentaries or extra info or anything beyond the graphic novels. The novels are good and I love having them in a hardback form, but I was hoping to be rewarded with something extra.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Stories to flesh out the series, October 12, 2009

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heroes, Vol. 2 (Heroes (Wildstorm Paperback)) (Paperback)

The second hardcover volume of Heroes collects chapters thirty-five through eighty of the online webcomics. While volume one seemed to fill in the blanks between episodes, volume two is a bit different. Rather than filling in the gaps, it provides more side-stories and back-stories to the characters, essentially giving them more depth. Some of it works and some of it doesn't. Those that don't work are primarily because they features some of the lesser characters who fans aren't as strongly connected to.

An example of this is a two-part story of Adam Monroe, the healer and near-immortal who became Hiro's quest in season two. The story takes place in the late 1700's Revolutionary War period as Monroe is working as a mercenary for the English army. While the story isn't bad, it is merely a side-story and has no great bearing on the Heroes world today. As mentioned, there are a few stories like this that don't forward the central plots and themes.

Now, on the other hand, one of the best stories is the four-part "It Takes a Village". This relates the origin and early life of The Haitian. Joe Kelly wrote the story taking place in the characters youth. As the son of a voodoo priest, the boys ability accidentally caused his father to lose his powers when his village was attacked by bandits. His father was cast out because he failed his people. The father blamed his son, causing an irreparable rift between them and it would forever shape the Haitian.

Another outstanding story, this time from Christoper Zatta is "Heroism is Found in the Heart". This story probably takes place in season one and is a solo story starring Ando Masahashi. The story takes place before the death of Hiro's father. Ando is back working in Japan and finds out that he can be a hero even without super powers. Well-scripted story that helps flesh out Ando's desire to want to be a hero as well.

There are several tales involving our favorite cheerleader, Claire, the best of which is "Elle's First Assignment". As you might expect, the story involves Elle Bishop whose father finally gives her her first assignment. She has to pretend to be a high school student in order to keep an eye on Claire. Needless to say, babysitting is not the assignment that Elle had in mind.

The book introduces several new characters who will likely never be seen on the TV show and most of them are forgettable except for Betty, the ugly girl in school who is picked on by everyone. Betty has powerful illusionary powers and can use them to make people see whatever she wants and she's about to get some revenge!

There's around a half-dozen artists who worked on the book and the art is uniformly good and consistent throughout. Not quite as good as the first volume, but Heroes volume two is still a joy to read. While not essential to fans, it provides many new layers of development to certain characters.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HEROES Side Stories and Character Development, April 7, 2010

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heroes, Vol. 2 (Heroes (Wildstorm Paperback)) (Paperback)

As a fan of the tv show HEROES who actually doesn't spend much time online visiting the HEROES website, I'm glad that the online comics have been collected together in graphic novel form. HEROES: VOLUME TWO features chapters 35-80 of the online webcomics. Most of these mini-comics provide side-stories or give some character development that hasn't always happened on the show itself, especially with secondary characters. Hiro, Ando, Claire Bennett, and Noah Bennett are involved in several stories as well as The Haitian and Elle Bishop. There's also a few stories involving characters who have appeared in only a few episodes of the series, such as Betty, Molly (who was featured prominently in the first two seasons, but not anymore), and the teenager who Claire fell in love with who could fly. There's also several random stories including one that features Ben Franklin. The overall quality of art is very good throughout the book, even though several different artists worked on these mini-webcomics. The book isn't quite as good as HEROES: VOLUME ONE, but it still should provide enjoyment to those who are fans of HEROES.