Irredeemable #20 – Review

By: Mark Waid (writer), Peter Krause & Diego Barreto (art), Andrew Dalhouse (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters) & Matt Gagnon (editor)

The Story: Now that the Plutonian has been kidnapped by aliens, what happens next?

What’s Good: This was nice issue for this comic to readjust itself.  After the fun romp we’ve had for the last few issues, culminating with the Plutonian being kidnapped by the uber-aliens at the end of last issue, Waid needed to settle things down a little bit and establish the new status quo.  Having Plutonian off the board (at least for now) is a pretty big deal since his actions have been the reason for this series’ existence.

One of the best things about a series like Irredeemable is that it has had a singular writer throughout.  Some of the things that Waid uses in this issue (like The Survivor being a bit of a blowhard d-bag) come from kernels that he planted 10-15 issues ago.  I love seeing that as a reader because it tells me that the writer has a PLAN for the series and isn’t merely writing a bunch of disconnected 4-6 issue arcs to be collected in trade.

This issue also wouldn’t be a bad jumping on point for someone new to the series.

Overall, this story starts a few neat things in motion.  I’ve already mentioned The Survivor’s blowhard nature as he addresses the Earth to announce their victory over the Plutonian.  I cringed throughout this entire speech at what a jackass the guy sounded like (and I’m pretty sure that’s what Waid wanted).  It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out on Earth when some of the heroes are kinda jerks.  We also touched base with the Plutonian himself.  He’s in a really bad place and Waid has cunningly set the table for him to be a bit of an underdog/anti-hero that we can root for.  I doubt he’ll stay down forever!  And….there is one interesting tidbit that the aliens mention that makes me think Earth hasn’t seen the last of them.  The cool thing about that alien subplot is now that we know Waid plots this stuff out in advance, that story element might not circle back for another 10-20 issues.

There’s even a tidbit for Incorruptible fans!

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Detective Comics #871 – Although I think I may have given Amazing Spider-Man #649 a higher raw grade, taking a few more days to reflect really makes me appreciate the excellence of this first issue by Scott Snyder, Jock and Francesco Francavilla.  Not only have they crafted a very good, back-to-basics Batman story, but they have made it very much a Dick Grayson story and that is very important now that we have multiple Batmen running around.  Runner-up: Amazing Spider-Man #649

Most Anticipated: Heroes for Hire #1 – Although my brain says this might be the latest short-lived Marvel title (see Thor: TMA, SWORD, Doctor Vodoo, Spider-Woman, etc.) my heart really wants to see this one go.  Can’t you find room in your pull list for a mash-up of street level Marvel characters helmed by Abnett and Lanning?  Should be a LOT of fun!

Other picks: American Vampire #9, Marineman #1, She-Hulks #2, Taskmaster #4, Irredeemable #20

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Detective Comics #871 – So…I’ve been a bit busy this week with my new kitten (hurray!) and have yet to chew through the entirety of my monstrous stack, but from what I’ve read…wow, what a week.  Fantastic efforts all-around from Amazing Spider-Man, Invincible Iron Man, Action Comics, Fantastic Four, and the Walking Dead, just to name a few.  In the end though, it was Scott Snyder and Jock’s Detective Comics that did it for me.  Snyder clearly understands the Batman franchise and he’s made a comic that feels both new and classic.  It’s the sort of gritty, realistic take that I think is exactly what’s needed in today’s wacky, Morrison dominated Bat-universe.

Most Anticipated: Action Comics Annual #13 – Wait, what?  Two issues of Paul Cornell’s Action Comics in two weeks?  Hell yeah!  Regular readers will know that this is my favourite DC title currently running and now with this Annual, we see Lex butt heads with Darkseid and Ra’s Al-Ghul in a super-sized issue.  I can’t see how this will be anything less than totally awesome, even if it does lack Pete Woods.  This is a comic that I’ll gladly fork over $4.99 for, and that’s saying a lot.

Other Picks: American Vampire #9, Brightest Day #15, Daredevil #512, Shadowland #5, Sweet Tooth #16, Secret Six #28

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman and Robin #17 – I liked the start of Paul Cornell’s new arc in the Batman and Robin #17 and it takes this week’s prize for me.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #15 –  Brightest Day #15 is promising Aqualad and Aquagirl (I love reimaginings) and more of Firestorm’s problems. Johns and Tomasi have had some pacing problems with this series, but wherever they’ve given enough space for the story to move forward, the story has been great. It doesn’t hurt that Ivan Reis is on the art team either!

Other Picks: Adventure Comics #521, Daredevil #512, Ozma of Oz #2, The Boys #49

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Uncanny X-Force #2 – I honestly did not think this would be my pick of the past week, but, damn was this good.  Sure, Remender’s script hit all the right notes and delivered a well-balanced package of character beats and awesome action, but the show really belongs to penciller Jerome Opena.  The man owns this book like no other could and that, my friends, is worth the price of admission alone.

Most Anticipated: Ant-Man & The Wasp #2 – Nothing jumped out at me from the pull list when I looked through on a search for the title I’m most excited about this week, so I’ll give it to a title who’s first issue surprised the heck out of me with how much fun it was.  Seeley’s odd couple pairing of this tiny duo was pitch perfect and especially captured the tone and humor of the cancelled Irredeemable Ant-Man series that introduced one of the titular characters.  Salva Espin’s artwork is also nothing to sneer at.  Here’s hoping they surprise me again.

Other Picks: Irredeemable #20, American Vampire #9, Brightest Day #15, Secret Six #28, Daredevil #512, Generation Hope #2, Ozma of Oz #2, Taskmaster #4, Wolverine The Best There Is #1