The Complete Invincible Library Volume 2

I discovered INVINCIBLE in Hardcover, the supersized Library Volume 1. It was astonishing and addicting. Since I read it three years ago I have waited, in agony, as I wanted to continue reading the series in the super oversized format. Despite the massive amount of delays in Volume 2, I can finally say that it was worth the wait. This series is the best superhero book since MIRACLEMAN and maybe the best of all time. Kirkman has mastered the genre and created such a rich universe of characters that I feel as though they are all alive. That they are real and I live among them. Ryan Ottley is a God among comic book artists. His style appears simple at first, but is actually extraordinarily complex and detailed. Who else can make 15 panels on a single page work so well? Clearly Kirkman knows Ottley is up to the challenge and thank the maker for that because for once it doesn't take 5 to 7 minutes to read 22 pages. No, here we have issues (or chapters, as they are presented here) that take up to twenty minutes to read. There is great depth here. The problem I have now is that I cannot wait another three years for Volume 3. It just isn't happening, so I already have the Volume 5 HC, which is oversized, but not supersized, and starts where this volume ends. You see, I love Invincible that much. These volumes wouldn't be what they are without superb extras and this volume has pages and pages and pages worth. Not as amazing at the first volume, but with the series already in play, that can't be helped. Still, this volume should not disappoint. Now like Volume 1, this baby has a sturdy sewn binding, high quality paper and printing and a gorgeous slip case. I read the hell out of Volume 1, to the point where it has had a little bit of damage, but that's to be expected with such heavy use. This is not a cheap binding. Folks, don't hesitate.

Rating an item 1 star just for being over priced ... seems a bit extreme IMO. If you have the have the money & have The Complete Vol 1, and wish to keep collecting the series in the same format, it's certainly worth it (IMO), and when you compare the price of the regular issues (2.99 IIRC) x number of issues in this collection (24) it works out to be under $10 difference between the regular monthly issues vs getting them in this oversized slipcase format, seems like a good deal to my eyes. Anywho, Invincible is -amazing- & I think it should be on any superhero fans reading list whatever format you decide to buy it in, hell even if you've got tired of Marvel/DC retelling the same story variation across multiple titles (Oh joy! A cross-over event! How utterly original ... <rolleyes>) Invincible is good enough to rekindle the passion of any jaded comic reader.

*I just wanted to point out that most of my review below speaks in glowing terms about the actual contents of this volume and is very complimentary to the Invincible comic and its creators. If readers are interested in reviews about the specific contents of the story, they can read reviews of the trade paperback collections or hardcover editions that have been released. Since those types of reviews are in abundance, my review here is focused on format, which really is the important issue here at this price point. And for the general consensus on that issue, anyone just has to look at the reviews of the previous volume in this series, "The Complete Invincble Library Vol.1" to understand why the single star.* Make no mistake, the stories collected in here deserve the special treatment and moreover, should be read. The work by Kirkman, Ottley, Walker and others is fantastic, and Invincible actually gets better and better with each new volume released. But this volume is incredibly overpriced and not very good value for money. For nearly the same amount, I would highly recommend getting volumes 1-4 of the Invicible Ultimate Collection Hardcovers, which at around 23.09 here on Amazon are excellent value for money. Those hardcovers are oversized, handsome volumes with beautiful covers and some warm, funny touches, such as the commentaries (even with the typos) in the "DVD" or "extras" sections and the funny but endearing creator bios on the back slipcase cover. They look great on bookshelves and will stand up to many repeated readings. Invincible is a light, funny, endearing, and occasionally emotional read about a fully realized comic universe and the collections make for some excellent entertainment. However, unless this format is especially important to you, I wouldn't suggest buying those stories in this format. Had volume 1 of this format included all the stories and extras contained in volumes 1-4 of the HCs, I would have definitely recommended it, but it makes no sense buying this when there's a far more accessible alternative format providing greater value for money. Save money and buy Invincible Ultimate Collection HCs 1-4 instead. You'll love them instantly and become an Invincible fan for life.