Status
Available
Call number
Publication
BOOM! Studios (2009), 128 pages
Pages
128
Description
It's a comic book industry event: the first four issues of the new original ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid! Irredeemable dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? A 'twilight of the superheroes'-style story that examines super-villains from the writer of Kingdom Come.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
128 p.; 10.19 inches
ISBN
1934506907 / 9781934506905
User reviews
LibraryThing member MeditationesMartini
Waid presents this as a completion of the moral universe sketched out in his Kingdom Come (which I enjoyed) and Empire (which made me feel ambivalent and ultimately kind of grimy). Where Kingdom Come concerned the ethical price of heroism in a world where villainy is triumphant, and Empire was
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ostensibly about a world where heroism is absent and villainy rampant, the premise here--"how does the world's greatest hero become its greatest villain?"--makes the former two books seem pretty flat. Like, "surprise! heroes are people of great moral fibre but sometimes disagree!" or "surprise! ostensible 'superheroes' are not the only people in the world with heroic impulses!" are pretty piss-poor pretexts upon which to dress up the same old moral binaries, but this series promises to actually take us through what might happen when a person less improbably perfect than Superman inherits Superman's role. The first volume, of course, is setup, although I like the way this has all just happened and so instead of a world of darkness and a bold resistance we get the other superbeings pulling together in "real time", and a real clash of credible forces (as opposed to regular comics where SOMEbody was always just toying with their opponents all along and it's just a matter of slogging through the several layers of reveal to find out who it is. In that sense, I also like that the Batman analogue is taken off the board right away, because "Batman beats Superman" is about the oldest shocking upset in comics). Show Less
LibraryThing member theforestofbooks
This covers the first four issues in the ongoing series. A very different take on the superhero story which made for an interesting if at times, an unsettling read. The main hero/villain is certainly not someone to cross. I very much enjoyed the writer pushing the main character to its limit. At
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times I wondered whether he’d pull back from what are some very harsh scenes in the book, but there’s no punches pulled. Interesting to see where this series goes. Show Less
LibraryThing member schatzi
In virtually all superhero comics, we see how the characters become heroes. Even in the face of adversity, even in the face of ridicule or fear, they become acclimated to the life and hold whatever anger they have in check (except against the "bad guys," of course). But what would happen if a
I generally like just about everything that Mark Waid writes, but this is one of my favorite things that I've read from him so far. It definitely isn't for the faint of heart; it opens with the brutal slaughter of a family (including two children), and the violence continues throughout the story. Along the way, we see the chain of events that made the Plutonian, formerly a superhero, cross over to the other side.
I really liked all of the main characters - even the Plutonian - and I'm eager to read the next trade in this series.
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superhero turned evil? What would cause him to go to the dark side? Mark Waid tackles these two questions in Irredeemable.I generally like just about everything that Mark Waid writes, but this is one of my favorite things that I've read from him so far. It definitely isn't for the faint of heart; it opens with the brutal slaughter of a family (including two children), and the violence continues throughout the story. Along the way, we see the chain of events that made the Plutonian, formerly a superhero, cross over to the other side.
I really liked all of the main characters - even the Plutonian - and I'm eager to read the next trade in this series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
While I consider Supreme Power the absolute best alternate Superman etc. story, Irredeemable is doing a pretty good job of exploring what happens when Superman—sorry, the Plutonian—finally snaps after a lifetime of never being good enough to save everyone and inherently scaring the crap out of
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the fragile humans with whom he interacts. When he loses it, his superfriends—none of whom can match him for power—have to face horrific losses as well as painful secrets. This is complicated by the fact that in this version (unlike in Supreme Power or Watchmen) there are alien beings out there who routinely try to conquer the world, and having the Plutonian around—even power-maddened and possibly genocidal—is at least an important deterrent. Distrust leads them to make several different deals with various orders of bad guys to deal with this, with equivocal success. Not to mention that some of his colleagues still think the Plutonian is, maybe, reachable. I’m enjoying it, though I am worried about whether Waid will be able to pull off an ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I have been thinking about reading this for a while. The Plutonian is an all powerful superhero. This means that over the past decade in addition to saving the world several times over he has heard every negative word and thought people have made about him. In addition he has been betrayed by
The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
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people he thought he could trust and love. Eventually he snaps and that's where this book begins, in the middle of the fall out.The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I have been thinking about reading this for a while. The Plutonian is an all powerful superhero. This means that over the past decade in addition to saving the world several times over he has heard every negative word and thought people have made about him. In addition he has been betrayed by
The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show More
people he thought he could trust and love. Eventually he snaps and that's where this book begins, in the middle of the fall out.The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I have been thinking about reading this for a while. The Plutonian is an all powerful superhero. This means that over the past decade in addition to saving the world several times over he has heard every negative word and thought people have made about him. In addition he has been betrayed by
The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show More
people he thought he could trust and love. Eventually he snaps and that's where this book begins, in the middle of the fall out.The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I have been thinking about reading this for a while. The Plutonian is an all powerful superhero. This means that over the past decade in addition to saving the world several times over he has heard every negative word and thought people have made about him. In addition he has been betrayed by
The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show More
people he thought he could trust and love. Eventually he snaps and that's where this book begins, in the middle of the fall out.The book goes back and forth between actions before and after the snap. The actions before show the Plutonian at his best AND show the actions that helped him fray. The artwork does a good job showcasing what comes from where in a somewhat obvious way. Things before the snap are bright and happy, even when they aren't necessarily the greatest actions taking place. Things after the snap are much darker and can occasionally be gritty.
I find myself wondering if there is anyway to bring the Plutonian back although to say that that seems doubtful at this moment feels like an understatement. It is interesting to see how many people hold themselves partially responsible for this breakdown and how many feel it has nothing to do with them. I am also curious to know whether there was a specific moment that pushed Plutonian over the last precipice or if it really just flipped, like a switch.
I've already put in a request for the second volume at the local library and I hope I manage to actually get a hold of it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member RalphLagana
What happens when Superman decides he no longer wants to live up to the ideals of being Superman? Bad stuff, plain and simple.
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to believe this Superman clone (Plutonian) would suddenly snap and turn evil but Waid eventually got me there. He just took his time
I've only read the omnibus to this point, so maybe things develop more in that regard.
On the whole, a comic series I enjoyed. I will pick up the second omnibus when it comes out.
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to believe this Superman clone (Plutonian) would suddenly snap and turn evil but Waid eventually got me there. He just took his time
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providing the backdrop to the Plutonian's change. There are other superheroes roaming the planet but not a lot and almost none that can stand up to Plutonian. Their sense of fear is real. Waid does an excellent job of leaving you ready for the next issue. There are surprises and twists and loads of destructive moments. This is not a book for young ones. If I have a complaint, it's that most of the world seems void. The American army shows up and slowly becomes a presence in the story but not by much. The rest of the world seems absent in the plans. Not something that rings true to me. I've only read the omnibus to this point, so maybe things develop more in that regard.
On the whole, a comic series I enjoyed. I will pick up the second omnibus when it comes out.
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LibraryThing member bobbybslax
The parts where Plutonian is being evil and you're trying to figure out why are the most fun, though I have yet to be convinced of his downfall or its thematic significance.
Call number
IBF