Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Eduardo BarretoHope is slipping from society as Plutonian returns to earth and lays waste to Earth’s protectors. With all opposition broken and all defenses shattered –what’s left of the Paradigm is scattered across the globe. Now the only beings in existence that may stand any chance of taming Plutonian are…his parents? Don’t miss this stunning issue of Mark Waid’s multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated epic superhero series!
Pour one out for your fallen homies friends – long-time Irredeemable artist Peter Krause is no longer with the book, wrapping up his run with the past issue. On this issue, Krause’s fill-in artist Diego Barreto’s father Eduardo Barreto takes over on art duties (got that?).
No matter who is on art duties, The Plutonian is back, and things are looking dark. Just the way we like them to in this book.
Find out my thoughts on this book after the jump.
Man, Irredeemable is a book that likes its alternately messed up and soap opera-esque turns.
This issue in itself gives us a character reappearance, one doomsday option, one less deadly option for turning the tide of battle, a sketchy (but sexy!) alliance, and characters being turned into comets by the freakishly overpowered Plutonian. That’s five pages filled with messed up/soap opera turns out of twenty-two total!
Now that, my friends, is a highly entertaining ratio.
This book continues to be one of the most entertaining books on the market, as Mark Waid keeps us on our toes by mixing up moments where it feels like all hope is lost with ones where it’s like he’s saying the “heroes” and humanity might have a chance making it out of this alive.
The character turns continue to be well thought out, especially the last page reveal which, in retrospect, seems so obvious but in reality is just fantastic execution of a seed that has been there the whole time. Waid’s conducting of this orchestra of betrayal and the evil that not just The Plutonian, but really, all of humanity is capable of is genius. There’s not a lot of traditional good in even the most magnanimous of characters, but still we find ourselves rooting for all to survive. It’s a weird feeling, but it is something that really positions the book to be one of the more unique books in terms of superhero titles.
Eduardo Barreto, who I believe is making his first appearance on this title, gives us all of the things that we like about his son Diego’s art while smoothing out all of the rough edges. His thicker brushstrokes give the book a Kirby-lite feel at times, and his layouts give the book a very energetic, dynamic feel. His execution of both character moments and action sequences is quite solid, and he’s a good fit for the book as a whole.
The only beef I had at all was particular panel (from the comet creation section I mentioned previously) that was confusing from a storytelling standpoint, but for an unknown artist (at least to me), that’s a pretty solid start.
All in all, this is another really entertaining issue of a book that engages me on a consistent basis month-to-month. While it’s not quite at the highest of echelons for monthly comics, I can say that it is a book that has never disappointed me and is something I always finish feeling satisfied.
It’s the bacon cheeseburger of comics – sure, it’s not going to ever be one of the best foods you’ve ever eaten, but you always know what you’re going to get and it is going to be deliciously evil (under the belief that greasy, fatty burgers are bad for you, which is not a theory I subscribe to).
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy
