Definitive Irredeemable, Vol. 1
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Peter Krause, Diego Barreto
BOOM! Studios
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Cover Price: $74.99

Not everyone can handle being legendary. We see this in the everyday lives of our celebrities. Some go about their private lives quietly, and others tend to revel in the spotlight at all times. That kind of constant attention can have a severe affect on a person, changing them in ways they never thought possible. In Mark Waid‘s Irredeemable, the worlds greatest superhero, a man of unflappable courage and strength, undergoes such a change after reaching his breaking point.

For those who have not yet had the chance to dive into Waid’s fantastic series, consider this: What would you do if the most powerful being on Earth was hunting you down? Where would you run to when he can hear your heart’s specific beat all around the globe? The surviving members of Paradigm, a team of the world’s greatest superheroes, are faced with this challenge when the man who built their team suddenly becomes the world’s most egregious villain.

The Plutonian was Earth’s champion, the one for whom every nation in crisis would cry out. His power was matched only by his devotion to good, but now that same devotion is instead channeled into hate. The once mighty purveyor of justice now kills without discretion. Millions have died during his rampages while his former allies chase down every lead they can, but what hope can they have against such force?

Irredeemable is a must read for all superhero fans, and The Definitive Irredeemable Volume One provides the perfect jumping on point. The concept alone is genius, but in the hands of Mark Waid, the story springs to life on every page. The amount of action, intrigue and suspense is palpable in every issue, each more riveting than the last. Series artists Peter Krause and Diego Barreto bring Waid’s dystopian world to brilliant reality in each arc, drawing the reader into a world in the grip of terror. You don’t just feel for the victims of the Plutonian’s atrocities, you feel each one of them on a personal level.

The Definitive Irredeemable Volume One collects issues 1 through 12 of the ongoing series, as well as Special #1, a group of short stories that feature three prominent players in the Plutonian’s story. Rather than sectioning off each issue, this collection opts to combine each story arc into three seamless tale. This allows for more fluid enjoyment of all that the series has to offer. Also included is a wonderful tribute to the series’ cover art teams, including the work of: John Cassaday (artist) with Laura Martin (Colorist), Dan Panosian, Paul Azaceta (artist) with Nick Filardi and Andrew Dalhouse colorists), Gene Ha (artist) with Art Lyon, Stephen Downer, and Matthew Wilson (colorists), and Jeffrey Spokes (artist). Finishing off the collection is a Conceptual Artwork Gallery that walks the reader through several stages of character development, and an afterword by author Grant Morrison.

Whether you are a long time Waid fan or are looking to branch out in the world of superhero comics, Irredeemable is an exciting epic designed to keep you coming back for more. Any assemblage of Irredeemable is worth your time and money, but all the extras included inside this gorgeous deluxe slipcase edition make The Definitive Irredeemable Volume One a must for collectors.