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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't even hesitate to start this awesome series, June 15, 2010
This review is from: Irredeemable Vol 2 (Paperback)
The Plutonian was once the world's greatest superhero-until the day he snapped and became the world's most dangerous supervillain. The death toll is stacking up as the Plutonian's history begins to be divulged. The Paradigm, once a group of Plutonian's fellow superheroes, is lost in the face of the Plutonian's wrath. However, there may yet be hope for the earth as finally one person seems able to stand toe-to-toe with the ex-superhero. Meanwhile, it becomes more and more apparent that there was-or is-something strange going on between Bette Noir and the Plutonian.
After finishing the first volume of Irredeemable (which contained comic issues #1-4), I was very worried with how the story would be continued in the second volume (issues #5-8). It wasn't that Mark Waid had really given me anything to quibble with or worry over. In fact, I think it was the distinct lack of quibbles-by which I mean the sheer awesomeness of the story-that generated my fear! I became utterly afraid that Waid would somehow plow the great story, fascinating characters, and beautiful artwork into the ground just to spite me.
Thankfully, the fear was entirely misplaced.
The first volume of Irredeemable was amazing because it was shocking, beautiful, and well-thought out. This second installment continues all of that. The Plutonian is given a lot more backstory now. And even if I don't enjoy the scenes of kid-Plutonian with foster families as much as I enjoy the present-day mayhem, I do enjoy the format Waid is using to give the backstory. The flash backs always seem to come at just the right moment for the biggest emotional payoff possible. My favorite was the bits about Volt (which almost begin the graphic novel, actually). Volt joins Paradigm, Volt befriends with Plutonian, Volt says something he shouldn't to the crazy man... Sincerely love it.
Similarly, I'm pretty fond of the developments with Bette Noir. I have a feeling that the third graphic novel (which I have actually started collecting in comic form, because I need to read more soon) will have a lot more of their relationship. I mean, it was pretty obvious in the first volume that something unhealthy was going on. This volume makes it explicitly clear that "unhealthy" doesn't even begin to cover it-which, of course, is just plain awesome.
The only problem I have with the series right now is more of a dislike for where one particular storyline. Before reading this volume I was worried that the Plutonian would continue to go unchallenged. Like all-powerful heroes, I find all-powerful villains to be boring as all hell. That worry turned out to be irrelevant. However, even though I'm fond of who is stepping up, I'm not very fond of how that's happening. Frankly, I feel that the current motivations and actions of that character are leading on a path that just isn't all that original-which is upsetting, particularly considering all the options available. No, I don't want a pure superhero to battle the `evil' one, but I do want a complex and varied look at how different people react to power. I'll even by the `absolute power corrupts absolutely for everyone` argument if I'm given just a little bit more reasoning behind it first.
Other than that, I have not a complaint with Waid and Krause's Irredeemable. And perhaps that's a very small complaint indeed when considering how many times this series sends little thrills down my spine.
Also, I love the last full page panel so much. If it didn't inherently contain a handful of spoilers, I'd share it here.
Obviously, if you're a comics fan-and particularly a fan of superhero comics that don't follow the genre rules-don't even hesitate to start this awesome series. For those who don't normally go in for comics, I'm still going to recommend it, especially if any of these keywords pique your interest: homicidal superhero; sexual creepiness and skeeviness; trying to destroy everyone because they didn't love you enough.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Collects #5-#8 of the Waid/Krause BOOM! series about a rogue superhero, April 20, 2010
This review is from: Irredeemable Vol 2 (Paperback)
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 story more enjoyable than that of Volume 1.
However, 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 cover price 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 price of $16.99 for a measly four issues borders on the outrageous (more expensive than even the $3.99 individual comic books!), and without Amazon's discount I would have felt ripped off.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Vol. 1, March 28, 2010
This review is from: Irredeemable Vol 2 (Paperback)
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 former 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 anxiously 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 cover art, is a 14-page preview of Mark Waid's Potter's Field which I must say has me very interested
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