What you need to know:The super-villains of the world are galvanizing in the wake of Plutonian's rampage on earth. Only one man can stop them. Formerly one of their own, Max Damage turns up the heat against his one-time criminal colleagues, and teaches them what it means to be INCORRUPTIBLE!World creation: Mark Waid has created a solid, realistic(as far as superheroes go)post apocalyptic world. When I read this book, I always think, yeah if this were real that probably would happened. Characters make logical decisions based on their surroundings. Not to mention that so much of this world plays off the beats in its sister book Irredeemable. I'm yearning for a crossover at some point.
Alana Patel: Alana Patel is the former girlfriend of the Plutonian, who helped push him over the edge by revealing his secret identity. Alana has been captured by a group of white supremacist that believe that Plutonian has spared them because he thinks them they are the master race. The guilt that Alana feels is palpable and her reaction to seeing Max Damage use his powers is spot on. She's a very non stereotypical woman in a story that could easily turn her into cannon fodder.
Balance: So many times when I write a review, the writer has tried to cram too many plots into one book, for one reason or another it doesn't work. This isn't mark Waid's problem, in fact he thrives when he has several plot threads working at the same time.
What you won't
Art: I've got to say I'm more than a little disappointed with the art. The facial expressions and thus the character acting is very weak. Too often background characters aren't filled in properly as a shortcut. It wasn't awful, it was serviceable, but mediocre at best.
Bottom Line: You should be reading this book. In eleven issues it's yet to disappoint.
Grade: B
