itaby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aislinn_mcd_harrison's review against another edition
challenging
3.25
This was quite good in parts but honestly felt like a long philosophy paper - I also didn’t get the switch flip on Max?
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
I was ready, about one third through this volume, to revise my good opinion of the series. Issue #5 was dire, dire, dire, and full of very talky scenes. But the ending of #5 and all of #6 reaffirmed my love for the series.
It's clear with this book that Mulligan and Ostertag are leaning hard into the "realistic implications of superheroes" schtick with a special focus on how to use your powers for good in a way that isn't simply punching. (Our protagonist, Mega Girl, has had enough of that.) And, as a result, there's a strong focus on moral philosophy and dialogue as a way of clarifying ethics. Which means you get to read a lot of scenes where everyone is trying to justify their actions or discern a better path. Ostertag does a great job of illustrating these beyond just talking heads, but I felt like the book slowed down regularly for these passages and lost a lot of narrative oomph.
Mind you, I think Mulligan has a lot of insightful observations about superheroes. This series ranks close to [a:Adam Warren|152774|Adam Warren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447962093p2/152774.jpg]'s Empowered series for excellent "aha" moments, those times where you realize exactly what a specific superpower might do to its user. (Mulligan's insights on telepathy alone really impressed me.) And issue #6 has a great scene where Mega Girl visits a "dynamophic" convention with all the people who can no longer pass as "chromosomically stable" --- there's a lot about gender and body issues that Mulligan comments on. Finally, the humor that I liked so much in the first volume makes a very welcome reappearance in issue #6.
I'm saddened that the series has been on hiatus since 2018, and that there's nothing more in print. If you want some thought-provoking insights on superheroes and don't mind a large dollop of philosophy, I highly recommend this.
It's clear with this book that Mulligan and Ostertag are leaning hard into the "realistic implications of superheroes" schtick with a special focus on how to use your powers for good in a way that isn't simply punching. (Our protagonist, Mega Girl, has had enough of that.) And, as a result, there's a strong focus on moral philosophy and dialogue as a way of clarifying ethics. Which means you get to read a lot of scenes where everyone is trying to justify their actions or discern a better path. Ostertag does a great job of illustrating these beyond just talking heads, but I felt like the book slowed down regularly for these passages and lost a lot of narrative oomph.
Mind you, I think Mulligan has a lot of insightful observations about superheroes. This series ranks close to [a:Adam Warren|152774|Adam Warren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447962093p2/152774.jpg]'s Empowered series for excellent "aha" moments, those times where you realize exactly what a specific superpower might do to its user. (Mulligan's insights on telepathy alone really impressed me.) And issue #6 has a great scene where Mega Girl visits a "dynamophic" convention with all the people who can no longer pass as "chromosomically stable" --- there's a lot about gender and body issues that Mulligan comments on. Finally, the humor that I liked so much in the first volume makes a very welcome reappearance in issue #6.
I'm saddened that the series has been on hiatus since 2018, and that there's nothing more in print. If you want some thought-provoking insights on superheroes and don't mind a large dollop of philosophy, I highly recommend this.
thedragonbug's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 but rounding up. This one was a lot more wordy and a little hard for me to focus on at times. But a lot of growth in plot and characters.
cesttemps's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessseadoesstuff's review against another edition
5.0
This book starts with a CW for sexual assult and dang it is a strong theme. Nothing explicit but very important to know.
I thought a few of the later pages were a bit heavy with philosophy arguments that really pulled me out. There are a lot of moral arguments to be exolored so don't know a better way for it and the art for that section is great.
The characters are so very complex and the exploration of this works is amazing.
I thought a few of the later pages were a bit heavy with philosophy arguments that really pulled me out. There are a lot of moral arguments to be exolored so don't know a better way for it and the art for that section is great.
The characters are so very complex and the exploration of this works is amazing.
jonathan_lee_b's review against another edition
3.0
Strong Female Protagonist: Book Two is buying gachapon.
bekahmccue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I won't say it wasn't GOOD. But because the series is on indefinite hiatus and this one ends on a cliffhanger... Just stick with Vol. 1. You'll be less disappointed.
meganelise's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75