Hopefully Mark Waid is having as much fun writing this smartly crafted tale of a Superman-like hero gone totally psychotic as I am having reading it. Boom! Studios is offering you an added incentive for jumping on board this great read by lowering this issue to only 99 cents. The recently released first trade paperback, collecting issues 1-4 , is a steal as well priced at under $10! You would need to be a cheap moron not to catch up on this series right now! Boom! knows they have a winner and they want you enjoy. I wish the big two comic book publishers would be as kind to their fans during these tough economic times.
Mark Waid must be writing this series with a scotch in one hand and a pen dipped with blood in the other, laughing maniacally all the while. With the skill of a veteran writer, Waid creates the worldwide panic the Plutonian is causing. He effectively conveys the all-consuming fear humanity would be gripped with if an all-powerful superhero suddenly turned against them. Waid casually litters this issue with great tidbits that shows Plutionian’s power. I loved the fact that no one can even speak ill of him since he can hear everything. His global address via all electronic devices was brilliant. The death toll is in the millions as this rouge powerhouse destroys without rhyme or reason. What makes this title work so well is Waid’s grasp of the superhero formula. It’s from this knowledge and reverence that he can expertly dissect the Superman archetype with sadistic affection. He lovingly throw a jab at the clichéd black eclectic-controlling stereotype with Volt. Volt, self-aware of his own pigeonholed persona, mocks himself with self-deprecating whit.
While this issue lacks action, it advance the plot and characters with real depth. The Paradigm, Plutonian’s former team and now led by mastermind Qubit, are recovering from fatal loses during their most recent encounter with Plutonian. They continue with their plans to track down Modeus, Plutonian’s arch enemy and the only man he ever feared. Through flashbacks, the team’s heroes are given substantive personalities and motives. By taking the time to lay down some solid plot points, Waid is setting the stage for some great future issues. Artist Peter Krause’s talents match the skills of Waid’s writing as he delivers a beautiful comic.
Irredeemable is one of the best superhero comics on the stands right now and certainly the cheekiest. With prices like this, you will not find a better financial deal for such a top-notch book.
4.5 out of 5
As the English would say, Mark Waid is having a blast “taking the piss” out of the Superman archetype with his good-guy-gone-bad-tale in Irredeemable.
Issue two allows Waid to settle into the world he’s created in which humanity fears the wraith of their once beloved Plutonium, a supe with Superman-like powers. Kaiden, a former member of Plutonium’s team, searches for his old girlfriend, Alana. These two characters’ back-stories provide juicy details about our anti-hero’s fall from grace.
Waid crafts a nice retelling of the iconic Lois and Clark relationship. Plutionium and Alana shared a love that did not quite weather the ups and down of the mortal and superhuman love affair. It’s a great play off the Lois-Clark banter, with a dark twist. It’s original and smart enough to not feel like a cheap parody. Read it yourself to enjoy the fireworks. This title’s big payoff is answering the question “How did our hero fall?” How well Mark Waid can answer this questions will determine this book’s success or failure. We begin to get the answers and they are cleverly written. It’s leaning toward successful right now.
The art fits the story very well. Plutonium’s reactions are eloquently captured, showing us the turmoil he is experiencing. The navigating of characters at different ages is seamless.
My local comic shop displays a black shirt with bold white lettering proclaiming “Mark Waid is Evil.” He’s proving it in this book with a devilish grin. Sometimes, as in this case, evil is good.
4 out of 5
