Image Comics 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.