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Irredeemable #5
Irredeemable, Vol. 5
Legendary comic writer Mark (KINGDOM COME) Waid takes superhero comics to the next level asking the question, “What if the world’s greatest superhero decided to become the world’s greatest super-villain?”
Don’t miss the Eisner Award-nominated series that has taken the comic book industry by storm! Volume 5 of BOOM!’s original ongoing superhero series from comics legend Mark Waid! IRREDEEMABLE dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? What happens to a world when a savior betrays it…and who can stop it? A "twilight of the superheroes"-style story that examines the nature of good and evil from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!
Collects issues #16–19
Don’t miss the Eisner Award-nominated series that has taken the comic book industry by storm! Volume 5 of BOOM!’s original ongoing superhero series from comics legend Mark Waid! IRREDEEMABLE dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? What happens to a world when a savior betrays it…and who can stop it? A "twilight of the superheroes"-style story that examines the nature of good and evil from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!
Collects issues #16–19
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
About the author
Mark Waid
3,176 books1,159 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 31, 2015
WARNING: Kind of spoilerish if you haven’t read the series.
This volume includes: playing possum, blackmail, secret agreements from beyond the grave, somebody still BELIEVES in the innate goodness of the Plutonian (Hah! Fool!), E.T. smack downs, bitch slaps from the spirit world, heat vison beam to the face and…
Mark Waid takes his highly praised story in places you won’t predict and its volume five and he’s still keeping the reader off balance. Peter Krause’s art is kind of jittery (There’s another art school term you cansteal from me file away, Anne).
The bonus Hornet and Kaidan material from volume four now makes more sense. Still waiting for the relevance of the Max Damage/teenage hooker material to become apparent.
Who am I kidding? It's about hookers who cater to superheroes. No explanation needed, Mr. Waid. Looking forward to more of the same in future volumes.
Where the hell was I?
Hornet’s sort of a Green Arrow type of hero. He’s the only one in the group who doesn’t have super powers and he’s the only one who starts picking up on the Plutonian’s abhorrent behavior before he actually goes bonkers. Hornet made a secret deal with aliens and now it’s time to call in that favor.
Bottom line: For me, Waid’s a writer who never disappoints, but with this series he’s consistently hitting them out of the park.
This volume includes: playing possum, blackmail, secret agreements from beyond the grave, somebody still BELIEVES in the innate goodness of the Plutonian (Hah! Fool!), E.T. smack downs, bitch slaps from the spirit world, heat vison beam to the face and…
Mark Waid takes his highly praised story in places you won’t predict and its volume five and he’s still keeping the reader off balance. Peter Krause’s art is kind of jittery (There’s another art school term you can
The bonus Hornet and Kaidan material from volume four now makes more sense. Still waiting for the relevance of the Max Damage/teenage hooker material to become apparent.
Who am I kidding? It's about hookers who cater to superheroes. No explanation needed, Mr. Waid. Looking forward to more of the same in future volumes.
Where the hell was I?
Hornet’s sort of a Green Arrow type of hero. He’s the only one in the group who doesn’t have super powers and he’s the only one who starts picking up on the Plutonian’s abhorrent behavior before he actually goes bonkers. Hornet made a secret deal with aliens and now it’s time to call in that favor.
Bottom line: For me, Waid’s a writer who never disappoints, but with this series he’s consistently hitting them out of the park.
July 14, 2022
Mark Waid does such a great job of finding big reveals just when you think there can't be anymore, there's another "Oh, shit!" moment. The other thing that Waid and Krause do so well is make the Plutonian menacing. He'll be talking along like everything's fine, then next panel there's a look of such evil and Bam! a family is now skeletons. No mercy on the children either. The Plutonian has outright flipped his lid. No takebacks.
December 10, 2012
Oh well, it had to happen sooner or later - after four superb books, the fifth “Irredeemable” book isn’t as good as the others. Which isn’t surprising, I was waiting for the wires to become more noticeable and some cracks to appear - I was just hoping it would take longer to show.
So the fight back against Plutonian continues in earnest and Mark Waid uses a trope that is often used in Batman comics where a new villain is introduced - and defeats Batman! Of course, that villain is later defeated but initially at least when you see someone new appear in the book, you can see what’s coming; and that’s what happens in this book. A new villain appears and the previously undefeatable crazy god Plutonian is defeated. With five more books after this, it’s a given that he finds a way back to his position as insane mass murderer with a vengeance but for now, the story feels a bit lost.
This feeling is heightened as Waid dispenses with a sub-plot he’s been setting up for the past four books so flippantly in this one - namely the Modeus story thread. And speaking of Modeus, if Plutonian is Superman and Modeus is Lex Luthor, Waid introduces an idea that other writers of Superman have written about, most recently Brian Azzarello in “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel”, that Lex is in love with Superman. Despite it’s unoriginal flavour, it’ll be interesting to see where Waid goes with this idea in forthcoming books.
Waid changes tack with this book but, while I still enjoyed reading it, I definitely noticed the puppeteer behind the puppet this time around who was imperceptible in the first few books. I’m hoping Waid re-captures and realises the potential of this story and that this is just the evening out of so much brilliance so soon in the series.
So the fight back against Plutonian continues in earnest and Mark Waid uses a trope that is often used in Batman comics where a new villain is introduced - and defeats Batman! Of course, that villain is later defeated but initially at least when you see someone new appear in the book, you can see what’s coming; and that’s what happens in this book. A new villain appears and the previously undefeatable crazy god Plutonian is defeated. With five more books after this, it’s a given that he finds a way back to his position as insane mass murderer with a vengeance but for now, the story feels a bit lost.
This feeling is heightened as Waid dispenses with a sub-plot he’s been setting up for the past four books so flippantly in this one - namely the Modeus story thread. And speaking of Modeus, if Plutonian is Superman and Modeus is Lex Luthor, Waid introduces an idea that other writers of Superman have written about, most recently Brian Azzarello in “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel”, that Lex is in love with Superman. Despite it’s unoriginal flavour, it’ll be interesting to see where Waid goes with this idea in forthcoming books.
Waid changes tack with this book but, while I still enjoyed reading it, I definitely noticed the puppeteer behind the puppet this time around who was imperceptible in the first few books. I’m hoping Waid re-captures and realises the potential of this story and that this is just the evening out of so much brilliance so soon in the series.
April 5, 2022
Bullet Review:
Thank you Interlibrary Loan!
This volume picks directly up from volume 4 (fortunately, I read that not TOO long ago), and in this one we learn of another person (the Hornet) who was wary of Plutonian and had a plan to take him out. But can the few remaining members hold together enough to take Plutonian down? And what is Modeus’ plan?
I do find the introduction of Hornet's bargain a bit too convenient, we still have no idea what's going on with Max Destruction and Jailbait (I almost forgot until I looked back at Vol 4's review) and also, Bette sort of disappears in this volume. This is another volume where some of the art is extremely ugly or just uneven/inconsistent (Bette looks like a man at one point). However, I am still invested and cannot wait until I get volume 6 from ILL.
Thank you Interlibrary Loan!
This volume picks directly up from volume 4 (fortunately, I read that not TOO long ago), and in this one we learn of another person (the Hornet) who was wary of Plutonian and had a plan to take him out. But can the few remaining members hold together enough to take Plutonian down? And what is Modeus’ plan?
I do find the introduction of Hornet's bargain a bit too convenient, we still have no idea what's going on with Max Destruction and Jailbait (I almost forgot until I looked back at Vol 4's review) and also, Bette sort of disappears in this volume. This is another volume where some of the art is extremely ugly or just uneven/inconsistent (Bette looks like a man at one point). However, I am still invested and cannot wait until I get volume 6 from ILL.
June 9, 2016
This is the last volume I read back in High School. I really liked it then, I really enjoyed it now.
The ending makes this long fight worth it. A nice twist. A nice fuck you to that piece of shit. I also love it because it leaves us with a lot of things to do after all the destruction. The heroes aren't just in a simple "We win" stage. Nah, they have to figure out a lot.
But I really liked this volume too because of how much indepth look we get into a lot of the characters. Without spoilers we get a real good insight to all our heroes (and villains) that made it worth it. Check this volume out, because from here on out all this might fall apart or keep it up.
The ending makes this long fight worth it. A nice twist. A nice fuck you to that piece of shit. I also love it because it leaves us with a lot of things to do after all the destruction. The heroes aren't just in a simple "We win" stage. Nah, they have to figure out a lot.
But I really liked this volume too because of how much indepth look we get into a lot of the characters. Without spoilers we get a real good insight to all our heroes (and villains) that made it worth it. Check this volume out, because from here on out all this might fall apart or keep it up.
July 13, 2022
The cover shows Tony about to suffocate his dear friend, Samsara, in space. Could this be a tale of revenge? I found out, it's about giving power to machines, Modeus.
The gang dwindles as they try to figure out how to kill Tony. So much plot it, slows down the action! This volume is filled with flashbacks, it felt like I was reading a soap opera. Meanwhile, Tony & Sam cause havoc.
PLUTONIUM: What if I told you I could undo it?
The gang dwindles as they try to figure out how to kill Tony. So much plot it, slows down the action! This volume is filled with flashbacks, it felt like I was reading a soap opera. Meanwhile, Tony & Sam cause havoc.
PLUTONIUM: What if I told you I could undo it?
The Plutonium realizes Sam is Modeus.
October 29, 2014
Now it makes a whole lot more sense what I read in the last volume. I read six first and I was pretty lost. Backtracking, I can see the progression in the storyline. This one was more reflective, as the surviving members of the Paradigm look back at their lost comrades, and they regroup in their exploration of the situation with Plutonian.
I liked the message from a member of the group who was one of the firs casualties to Plutonian, as he had recorded a message for the group to be watched on notification of his death. He made a deal with the devil, which while it will likely save Earth, it will doom many other planets to be taken over by a parasitic insectoid race of aliens. This fits in perfectly with the exploration of the morality and ethics of a superpowered human who could very well decide that he doesn't want to help people but do whatever he wants. Since this member was a normal man, you can see how he has an inside view as a member of the Paradigm who also happens to be completely human with no superpowers.
This is a series that I want to pick up the next volume right after I finish the first. I can't put my finger on why it is so compelling, but it definitely is. It's like a nightmare, in more ways than one.
I liked the message from a member of the group who was one of the firs casualties to Plutonian, as he had recorded a message for the group to be watched on notification of his death. He made a deal with the devil, which while it will likely save Earth, it will doom many other planets to be taken over by a parasitic insectoid race of aliens. This fits in perfectly with the exploration of the morality and ethics of a superpowered human who could very well decide that he doesn't want to help people but do whatever he wants. Since this member was a normal man, you can see how he has an inside view as a member of the Paradigm who also happens to be completely human with no superpowers.
This is a series that I want to pick up the next volume right after I finish the first. I can't put my finger on why it is so compelling, but it definitely is. It's like a nightmare, in more ways than one.
August 14, 2012
An enjoyable though not exceptional volume of Irredeemable. Good characters and good ongoing plot, but the story’s biggest flaw is that it feels formulaic: meet the protagonists in the present for a bit; see a bit of backstory that casts a surprising light on one of them; then have a big battle with the Plutonian.
June 9, 2015
Ok. So this volume got things back on track a bit. I'm still somewhat torn about continuing this series but I did think this volume was an improvement.
July 12, 2016
Well that was much improved.
World: Good grim dark art that fits this series, still no sense of motion. The world building here was also great with the past coming into play. Just like he's been doing all series, Waid gives us enough world building for the story to have a wonderful stage.
Story: Much more focused and paced wonderfully well. The last arc was expected but this one was not, which is understandable as it was impossible for readers to see this coming as there was no allusions to it. The end was nice and does change things up a bit. The pieces are slowing moving into place for another good arc.
Characters: Strong development all around, with Quibit, Survivor and Hornet getting the most. It's good and the slow changing of readers perceptions is one of the things I remember liking about this series in my first reading. This second reader I really see the emotions being at the fore front and impactful.
A much better arc than the last one, moves the story forward in unexpected ways.
Onward to the next book!
World: Good grim dark art that fits this series, still no sense of motion. The world building here was also great with the past coming into play. Just like he's been doing all series, Waid gives us enough world building for the story to have a wonderful stage.
Story: Much more focused and paced wonderfully well. The last arc was expected but this one was not, which is understandable as it was impossible for readers to see this coming as there was no allusions to it. The end was nice and does change things up a bit. The pieces are slowing moving into place for another good arc.
Characters: Strong development all around, with Quibit, Survivor and Hornet getting the most. It's good and the slow changing of readers perceptions is one of the things I remember liking about this series in my first reading. This second reader I really see the emotions being at the fore front and impactful.
A much better arc than the last one, moves the story forward in unexpected ways.
Onward to the next book!
July 20, 2019
I was worried that the entire story was going to start losing its thunder. I was wrong.
This one picked it all up again, and very nicely. Suspense, mystery, and action. This tale has it all.
SPOILER ALERT
Okay, I'm gonna do this easy & lazy...
Imagine that Lex Luthor only hated Superman because he was actually in love with him the entire time. So in love, in fact, that he "went missing" in order to take over the body of Jimmy Olsen, superman's pal; a once dead, now reanimated Jimmy. This is how Luthor can always be near the man of steel, because he was so infatuated with him. Now, what if Batman knew supez would go all injustice on the world, and knew that there was only 1 sure way to stop the man-god? What does he do? He goes to the Marvel Universe and bargain a deal with the Skrulls. Bruce sells the souls of countless beings on all the worlds he and the Justice League encountered, so that when the time came, the bumped-chinned green aliens could show up and save the day.
That is the cliff note's version of volume 5. And trust me, I do not do it enough honor with this parallel.
This one picked it all up again, and very nicely. Suspense, mystery, and action. This tale has it all.
SPOILER ALERT
Okay, I'm gonna do this easy & lazy...
Imagine that Lex Luthor only hated Superman because he was actually in love with him the entire time. So in love, in fact, that he "went missing" in order to take over the body of Jimmy Olsen, superman's pal; a once dead, now reanimated Jimmy. This is how Luthor can always be near the man of steel, because he was so infatuated with him. Now, what if Batman knew supez would go all injustice on the world, and knew that there was only 1 sure way to stop the man-god? What does he do? He goes to the Marvel Universe and bargain a deal with the Skrulls. Bruce sells the souls of countless beings on all the worlds he and the Justice League encountered, so that when the time came, the bumped-chinned green aliens could show up and save the day.
That is the cliff note's version of volume 5. And trust me, I do not do it enough honor with this parallel.
August 13, 2013
OK so Volume 5; the bad guy (well Plutonian is one too, but his original antagonist) has been hiding for a while now, but he's found in this volume. Very interesting work here discussing the psychology behind his obsessions with Plutonian, and some other developments in terms of who will be able to stop him.
Throw in a plan for stopping the Plutonian (made by one of the characters who dies in the first few panels of Volume 1 - the Hornet) by the guy who is equivalent to their Batman, the human with no powers but a great mind and training hard.
It involves an alien invasion...and will that just replace one destructive force with another?
Is the Earth doomed? What of the Paradigm? Are they splintered beyond repair? Or will they have be able to repair themselves?
Throw in a plan for stopping the Plutonian (made by one of the characters who dies in the first few panels of Volume 1 - the Hornet) by the guy who is equivalent to their Batman, the human with no powers but a great mind and training hard.
It involves an alien invasion...and will that just replace one destructive force with another?
Is the Earth doomed? What of the Paradigm? Are they splintered beyond repair? Or will they have be able to repair themselves?
January 26, 2011
I think this has always been the stronger of Mark Waid's two titles for Boom! Studios. Max Damage remains on his quest for redemption in this dystopian tale. Now though he is joined by a recovering alcoholic cop and the girlfriend of the man who destroyed the world. Alana Patel is actually some character, and the white surpemacist society storyline is pretty much wrapped. There remains a generous dose of big screen action too.
April 18, 2019
This is where the series is beginning to lose steam and the plot progressively thickens to the point of convolution. The focus is still on the Plutonian but he is becoming a less intriguing character.
December 12, 2015
Quite a fan of this series, but this will be as far as I go, I can't find volume 6 & 7. Well not at a normal price anyway.
February 10, 2018
A great series as secrets are revealed and new ways are devised to bring down a God.
August 24, 2023
Another awesome volume!!!
This one had some wild reveals!
We found out Kaiden can summon the spirits of anyone who has died, so she basically has an arsenal of all the heroes who Plutonian killed. Kaiden may be my favourite out of the Paradigm. Not only is her power amazing, but she seems to be the most level headed to me.
We also found out that Modeus is in LOVE with Plutonian?! And he made SEX BOTS of him!?! That was a twist I was not expecting at all lol. Then the comic making me think they were about to kiss! Also can we mention how hilarious and crazy it was seeing Plutonian casually eating a snickers while Modeus ran away screaming with his face burnt? Lol.
Also Cary’s brother isn’t dead! I don’t know what that will bring in the future. What does Modeus intend to do with him?
Hornet betraying all populated worlds the Paradigm saved to ensure the safety of Earth for when Plutonian finally snaps is wild.. I kinda love him for it lol. It’s awesome how this guy got so much more story despite dying literally right away lol.
This comic is great at keeping me guessing and surprising me with reveal after reveal. I again have no clue what could possibly happen next. I can’t imagine Plutonian is gonna stay locked up for long!
This one had some wild reveals!
We found out Kaiden can summon the spirits of anyone who has died, so she basically has an arsenal of all the heroes who Plutonian killed. Kaiden may be my favourite out of the Paradigm. Not only is her power amazing, but she seems to be the most level headed to me.
We also found out that Modeus is in LOVE with Plutonian?! And he made SEX BOTS of him!?! That was a twist I was not expecting at all lol. Then the comic making me think they were about to kiss! Also can we mention how hilarious and crazy it was seeing Plutonian casually eating a snickers while Modeus ran away screaming with his face burnt? Lol.
Also Cary’s brother isn’t dead! I don’t know what that will bring in the future. What does Modeus intend to do with him?
Hornet betraying all populated worlds the Paradigm saved to ensure the safety of Earth for when Plutonian finally snaps is wild.. I kinda love him for it lol. It’s awesome how this guy got so much more story despite dying literally right away lol.
This comic is great at keeping me guessing and surprising me with reveal after reveal. I again have no clue what could possibly happen next. I can’t imagine Plutonian is gonna stay locked up for long!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
A nice twist or two in this one. Artwork not my fav but still highly readable
February 9, 2023
Loving this so much: Mark Waid can be hit or miss for me, but when he's a hit he has me addicted.
July 6, 2023
A perfect volume, in my opinion. I'm really loving this series.
August 25, 2011
The Earth's cities have been destroyed and its people are frightened. No one has been able to throw up any kind of defense capable of repelling the Plutonian. The remaining members of Paradigm are still reeling from their last attempt to defeat him (which ended with Q-Bit destroying the demon Cary summoned as backup, and Bette's candle going out - the one thing that they know for sure will take away his powers). Qubit seems to think that Tony can be reasoned with; the others are not so sure.
A secret message from the Hornet, now deceased thanks to Tony, offers some hope. The Hornet made a bargain with some alien invaders against the day that the Plutonian would crack and turn against the Earth's inhabitants. This involved selling out other defenseless alien worlds suitable for their colonization in return for their assistance in defeating the Plutonian if and when he should become a threat (also, they agree not to attempt to invade and conquer Earth). Shortly after Paradigm learns of this message the aliens arrive and attempt to capture the Plutonian. It appears that they are successful in creating the ultimate straight jacket (and making Tony think that he's somehow won). Cliffhanger ending.
Several possibly important plot points that may come up later:
Kaidan thinks Scylla is still alive.
Tony outs Samsara as Modeus (who, apparently, is fixated on and obsessed with Tony - um, sexbots? ew.)
Gil seems to be roaming the earth - to what purpose?
Even though we knew (from some foreshadowing) that Modeus was somehow using Sam to get to the Plutonian, the whole "love and obsession" angle was unexpected (and felt kind of lame). Also, what's up with the Hornet selling out all of those aliens? First there's this long lead up where he thanks Qubit for getting Paradigm off-planet to meet all of these otherworldly beings (and expand their consciousnesses in the process) and after he describes how indescribable and gratifying their thanks have been, he gives them to the aliens? If I were an alien race, I'd be pretty pissed. Where's *his* integrity? I'm still hoping that something comes of the demon. That and a few other things just got wrapped up too quickly for my taste. Why introduce something that doesn't go anywhere? It's a waste of suspense.
Irredeemable continues to grow more disturbing as it progresses.
A secret message from the Hornet, now deceased thanks to Tony, offers some hope. The Hornet made a bargain with some alien invaders against the day that the Plutonian would crack and turn against the Earth's inhabitants. This involved selling out other defenseless alien worlds suitable for their colonization in return for their assistance in defeating the Plutonian if and when he should become a threat (also, they agree not to attempt to invade and conquer Earth). Shortly after Paradigm learns of this message the aliens arrive and attempt to capture the Plutonian. It appears that they are successful in creating the ultimate straight jacket (and making Tony think that he's somehow won). Cliffhanger ending.
Several possibly important plot points that may come up later:
Kaidan thinks Scylla is still alive.
Tony outs Samsara as Modeus (who, apparently, is fixated on and obsessed with Tony - um, sexbots? ew.)
Gil seems to be roaming the earth - to what purpose?
Even though we knew (from some foreshadowing) that Modeus was somehow using Sam to get to the Plutonian, the whole "love and obsession" angle was unexpected (and felt kind of lame). Also, what's up with the Hornet selling out all of those aliens? First there's this long lead up where he thanks Qubit for getting Paradigm off-planet to meet all of these otherworldly beings (and expand their consciousnesses in the process) and after he describes how indescribable and gratifying their thanks have been, he gives them to the aliens? If I were an alien race, I'd be pretty pissed. Where's *his* integrity? I'm still hoping that something comes of the demon. That and a few other things just got wrapped up too quickly for my taste. Why introduce something that doesn't go anywhere? It's a waste of suspense.
Irredeemable continues to grow more disturbing as it progresses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2016
Having stepped away from this series for a bit, I found myself a little confused until the very last page of the arc. Why this works is because the danger of the story feels realistic in a way other superhero stories don't always succeed. This didn't work until the final pages when it all made sense, and then it all came about for me.
So if you like this series, don't be thrown off by this volume. It all comes together.
So if you like this series, don't be thrown off by this volume. It all comes together.
July 24, 2011
I know I know, from my last review one would think that I found the whole series "Irredeemable" to be Irredeemable, but alas as I have been getting these from the library for free, I'll admit the initial premise was enough to make me get one more and give it one more try, ...
thankfully the art was a little better than the last one, ... and the story did get a bit more interesting, ...
sigh
should I read vol. 6?
thankfully the art was a little better than the last one, ... and the story did get a bit more interesting, ...
sigh
should I read vol. 6?
May 15, 2018
Read as part of Irredeemable Premier Vol. 3
August 24, 2016
Review posted in volume one.
April 4, 2016
The story takes an interesting turn.... Curious to see what comes of this. And the Hornet is potentially the most evil man that ever lived.
February 14, 2017
This series keeps getting better and better. The art is great. I wish I had read this years ago.
July 18, 2019
While still a good, enjoyable read, parts of the previous volume felt a bit like Irredeemable's first real missteps as a series. But this fifth installment feels like both a return to form and a big, imaginative expansion of the story's (already imaginative) scope.
Plus, original artist Peter Krause is back and that alone improves things.
This volume is full of revelations - even for this series - with Volt now dead, murdered by Modeus/Samsara, Kaidan realises the full extent of her powers, a presumed-dead character actually isn't and we find out much more about Modeus and the Plutonian's years-long rivalry and the unusual motivations behind it. We even get some insight into how the ordinary people (you know, the bereaved, the homeless and impotently furious) of the world - a voice mostly unheard in this story - feel about the Paradigm now.
Of course, some things stay the same. The Survivor's ever-more unhinged behaviour seems to be leading him at least in the same vague direction as his old pal Tony. The US military is still one collective idiot. And yes, Gilgamos is STILL moping about his broken marriage with Bette Noir.
But the biggest thing is the introduction of a 'new' threat for the Plutonian and, possibly, a way of saving the Earth from the superpowered mass killer. Aliens. Yes, of course it has to be aliens. Not only aliens but aliens the Paradigm have a history with. Much like the previous volume, there's a real standout issue here, in #19. Some great action, some chickens coming home to roost and a great ending that leads directly into what should be a fascinating sixth volume.
Plus, original artist Peter Krause is back and that alone improves things.
This volume is full of revelations - even for this series - with Volt now dead, murdered by Modeus/Samsara, Kaidan realises the full extent of her powers, a presumed-dead character actually isn't and we find out much more about Modeus and the Plutonian's years-long rivalry and the unusual motivations behind it. We even get some insight into how the ordinary people (you know, the bereaved, the homeless and impotently furious) of the world - a voice mostly unheard in this story - feel about the Paradigm now.
Of course, some things stay the same. The Survivor's ever-more unhinged behaviour seems to be leading him at least in the same vague direction as his old pal Tony. The US military is still one collective idiot. And yes, Gilgamos is STILL moping about his broken marriage with Bette Noir.
But the biggest thing is the introduction of a 'new' threat for the Plutonian and, possibly, a way of saving the Earth from the superpowered mass killer. Aliens. Yes, of course it has to be aliens. Not only aliens but aliens the Paradigm have a history with. Much like the previous volume, there's a real standout issue here, in #19. Some great action, some chickens coming home to roost and a great ending that leads directly into what should be a fascinating sixth volume.
December 8, 2019
I binge-read this entire series in 5 days, which was a really bad idea, especially after just finishing The Boys, a similar series of superheroes gone bad.
I am only giving this series 3 stars, but it might be worth more if I had just taken the time to enjoy it instead of speedreading it.
In Irreedemable the Plutonian, the ultimate superhero, a god-like being, goes bad. Contrary to The Boys it are his former teammates who are trying to stop him. Also contrary to the Homelander in The Boys, the Plutonian really wanted to help people, to do good, but the stress and increasing demands on him made him go postal.
Which is better, The Boys or Irreedemable? I don't have the answer to that question. In The Boys the sometimes absurd amount of violence and bloodshed is offset by some (dark) humour, which isn't the case in Irreedemable. In Irreedemable the Plutonian has more depth than the Homelander in The Boys. I have a slight preference for The Boys.
PS: I am using this review for the 10 volumes of Irreedemable.
I am only giving this series 3 stars, but it might be worth more if I had just taken the time to enjoy it instead of speedreading it.
In Irreedemable the Plutonian, the ultimate superhero, a god-like being, goes bad. Contrary to The Boys it are his former teammates who are trying to stop him. Also contrary to the Homelander in The Boys, the Plutonian really wanted to help people, to do good, but the stress and increasing demands on him made him go postal.
Which is better, The Boys or Irreedemable? I don't have the answer to that question. In The Boys the sometimes absurd amount of violence and bloodshed is offset by some (dark) humour, which isn't the case in Irreedemable. In Irreedemable the Plutonian has more depth than the Homelander in The Boys. I have a slight preference for The Boys.
PS: I am using this review for the 10 volumes of Irreedemable.
May 22, 2018
Starts out very strong, but does lose steam and starts to meander towards the mid-point of the series. The second half of the series is not terrible, just okay. I recommend reading the series issue-by-issue with a few days between each and not just in one long sitting, like I did. The final arc feels very disconnected from everything else up to that point, and you will have a 50/50 chance to like the ending or roll your eyes at it.
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