Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 2

I generally have a hard time getting into comics. I like it as an art form and I think it's a cool medium for spinning fictional tales, but it is also a really confusing and unapproachable form of entertainment, even with all of the re-branding DC has recently done in order to make their stories more inviting to new readers. So when I decided to try the first volume of the INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US comic series and found it delightfully well done and remarkably accessible, I of course had to continue on by picking up the Kindle version of the second half of Year One. INJUSTICE is kind of formatted like a television show in that it works in seasons (they refer to them as years). There is no mention of this being Year One until the very back cover in this volume, but that is probably because the addition of subsequent seasons/years was contingent on the first's success. At this point there are two more volumes out for Year Two and I believe there are issues released within Year Three. This might sound a tad confusing, but it's really not, especially if you buy by the volume and not by singular issues. Effectively, the final issue of VOL. 1 was kind of like the explosive mid-season finale of a TV drama. It collected issues 1-6 of the Year One sequence. VOL. 2 includes issues 7-12, plus the INJUSTICE ANNUAL issue which essentially functions as a thirteenth issue and a very intense wrap up to the Year One Story arch. NOTE: While I won't delve into any major spoilers for VOL.2, I will be discussing things that happened within the previous volume, so please do not read on if you wish to avoid spoilers for the first six issues of the comic series. CHARACTERS This was one of my favorite aspects of the first six issues and it continues to be absolutely amazing this time around. The main cast is back with Batman, Superman, Green Arrow Wonder Woman, Flash, and the rest of the Justice League taking the lead in most situations. Other characters like Catwoman and Harley Quinn are other welcome returners and then there are all the new faces as well as more focus given to characters that resided in the story's background. At the end of issue 6, there were a number of characters that are teased as becoming part of Team Batman. Among them are Black Canary, Black Lightning, Atom, Huntress, and Batwoman. Some of these are used better than others in these seven issues. Batwoman, Huntress, and Black Lightning can be seen in most of the issues, but they are very fringe, background sort of characters. With such an enormous cast, it is completely understandable that some characters do not get as much attention as others and it was really just pretty rewarding to see these characters show up in this volume, even if only in a couple of bad-ass action shots. Other characters, Like Alfred and Robin get some really compelling sequences that were easily some of the highlights for me in this series. I can't even tell you about Alfred's part in the annual issue because it is just too good! If you're an Alfred fan like I am, then you have to read this and find out what I'm talking about because he is simply amazing here. Other new characters were a bit of a pleasant surprise. Martian Manhunter and Lobo are two characters that appeared in the game as DLC fighters. While you could purchase and play as them, they didn't actually have any role within the game's story so it was very cool to see them play a part in the comic. Martian Manhunter in particular, was a really welcome presence for some reasons that I can't really express without spoiling things. Lobo is more of a one-hit-wonder type of character. He shows up in an issue pretty much dedicated to him, which was neat since he fancies himself as the "Main Man." It's in this same issue that Harley Quinn comes out of the woodwork after only making minor cameos in some of the other issues. Having her back and battier than ever was a really welcome aspect of the Lobo issue and seeing her team up with Black Canary and Green Arrow was beyond priceless. Then there is the introduction of Lex Luthor and the return of Mr. and Mrs. Kent. All three of these characters contribute a great deal to the story's plot and were used in some really interesting ways that I wish I could go into. While it was nice to see so many of the more minor personalities get their time in the light, the main focus on Superman's decent into madness and Batman's cold, calculating efforts to stop him are not at all lost in the shuffle. The heart-wrenching conflict only grows fiercer as both sides fight for what they think is right. By the end of this volume, that conflict comes to its ultimate head in a way that I found utterly stunning. WORLD/SETTING In my previous review, I expressed hopes that the setting for the narrative would become a bit more interesting. I am happy to report that my anticipation was fulfilled in every way that I could hope for. The world is now largely under Superman's control and while he does not yet rule with absolute authority at the beginning of the volume, he certainly becomes the almighty dictator by the end. What marks the setting of this collection is the conflict between the two hero camps. There's Batman and his followers who believe that humanity has a right to rule themselves and then there are Superman's underlings who think what they are doing is the correct course of action. Then there are those who have picked a side, but are not necessarily sold on which one is correct. Flash, Shazam, and even some of Batman's followers all question the correctness of their leaders actions which really helps convey the fact that the world is now a battleground despite Superman's best efforts to forcibly instill peace. It's still a rather traditional comic-booky setting with lost of sprawling cityscapes and plenty of secret lairs, but the distopic mood of it all is what makes it feel so unique and memorable. By the final panels of this volume, there is reason to believe that these classic locals will seem even less familiar during Year Two. PLOT/TONE Since the very first issue of this series, the narrative has been steeped in blood. We witnessed the death of Lois, the murder of the Joker, and the catastrophic disaster that killed nearly every living soul in Metropolis. The story has been pretty heavy ever since, but the issues that followed in the first volume were a bit less fatal than the premier. That's not so much the case here. Many of the characters I knew would die because of the game's campaign mode were killed off within the first volume. That left only one outstanding. I won't say who it is, but that person does get axed from the story in a really brutal way that felt genuinely heart-breaking. I also know who survives these events and makes it into the game, but there are a lot of characters in this comic that don't show up in the game's story, nor are they ever mentioned. This left me with a lot of question marks in terms of what would happen to these other characters. Are they being saved for an appearance in the game's inevitable sequel or are they going to be removed from the equation? There really isn't any effective way of guessing who stays and who goes, but what I can say is that each death felt really epic and impactfull this time around. Whereas moments like Nightwing's demise felt all to rushed in VOL. 1, the killings here got the treatment that they deserved. What's somehow even more brutal than all the death is the mere back and forth between the two sides. Both Superman AND Batman do some pretty shocking things in order to get their way. These men are getting desperate and they make some very interesting leadership choices that don't break from their character, but did leave me in bit of shock. Batman can be inexplicably cold to those both on his side and those who are not, while Superman's flaming temper only gets worse and somehow more child-like as the story goes on. This is the conflict that the first six comics alluded to and it's one that I don't think I'll forget anytime soon. CONCLUSION I really couldn't have asked for anything more from this volume. I've openly admitted that I am no comics expert, but for me, VOL. 2 contained everything I ever wanted from a comic series. I gave the previous volume a 4/5 because I did have some issues with the pacing of certain parts as well as the overuse of tiny comic panels that looked a little ugly. This volume is entirely devoid of either of those issues and just seems to nail things at every turn. I can't really give this series enough praise. For me, it has become a sort of benchmark by which I will judge any other comic or graphic novel that I read. It's emotionally raw and utterly tragic in some spots. The action shots are breathtaking and the artwork in general is just astounding. This is easily the most beautiful piece of graphic fiction that I have ever read and it is one that moved me throughout all seven issues, often in ways that surprised me. If you haven't gotten into this series yet, then you definitely should, especially if you're like me and have tried in vain to get into the world of comics. You may not be completely sold after reading through the first volume (I wasn't 100% myself), but after reading through this one, there is very little doubt that I will be reading every issue that this series comes out with.

This is my step-son's guilty pleasure. He got turned on to the Injustice comic series by finding one in a book store a few months back. I have been buying the others on Amazon since then (price is a lot cheaper than in a bookstore) He loves these series. I buy him a new one every 2 weeks. I know some parents don't think comic book reading is engaging enough but I am just happy he enjoys them so much. I have looked through most of them for anything inappropriate but they are fine. There is some violence but nothing you don't see in a marvel or dc movie. Great graphics and storylines. Overall awesome series and great book. I will continue buying the Injustice series for my 14 year-old stepson.

The Injustice series is one of the most popular, and I can see why. Seeing heroes in situations and acing differently than we normally see them is a nice change. This volume starts off with Lex Luther being found alive in the destroyed city of Metropolis. Luther wants to join Superman and create a "super pill" that will give ordinary people super powers to help them police the world. Meanwhile, Darkseid sends Parademons to Earth and they start killing people. Superman decides he has to kill them and burns them all, saving millions of lives and the people cheer. Batman has a problem with Superman killing them, which i found strange since he really had no choice. It was millions of human lives, or the lives of invading parademons. Batman also has Martian Manhunter morph into Hawkgirl and spy on Superman. After Damian finds out, he tells Superman, and Superman decides to reveal Batmans identity to the world. They go confront Batman, but it is really Martian Manhunter, and he enters Wonder Womans brain and tries to kill her. Superman Burns her, thus ending up killing Martian Manhunter and saving Wonder Woman. Then Lobo shows up, and Superman hires him to find Harley Quinn. In exchange, they give him a "super pill". While fighting with Harley, Harley gets the pill and takes it, giving her super powers. She fights with Lobo, and with Green Arrow and Black Canarys help, she rips off Lobos head and wins the fight. Lobos head reattaches, because his race can do that, and Harley has him secured down and acts as his shrink. Batman needs to get a "super pill" to learn how to make them to give other people a fighting chance against Superman and his super powered rule. He goes to Supermans arctic fortress with Green Arrow, Catwoman, Black Canary and The Atom. Batman is shocked to see Supermans parents, the Kents there, and realizes he has to leave before Superman thinks he's there to kill them. Superman shows up, the Atoms suit is torn and he's going to explode and takes Superman into space with him. The explosion doesn't kill Superman, so he returns to the fortress. An ice cave in keeps Green Arrow trapped inside with the Kents. Superman ends up killing Green Arrow, but not before he ties a pill to an arrow and launches it to Batman. Superman goes to the Batcave and ends up breaking Batmans back. Alfred takes a "super pill" and takes down Superman long enough for him and Batman to escape, having downloaded the information from the "super pill". That ends this volume and year one of Injustice. This volume was very good and the entire story is great. It is a must read for anyone who likes a little change of pace from the same ol same ol superhero vs. supervillian stories.

The stage for the injustice videogame is fully set in this volume. The story continues to unfold beautifully as battle lines are drawn and heroes are forced too chose sides against friends. Not to say the volume was without its problems. Some issues had a serious step down in the art department, and it got to be rather distracting at times. My other big problem is the characterization of wonder woman. Her faith and prodding of superman to ever more violent action seems largely motivated by her desire to sleep with him and I assume rule by his side. I suppose she is supposed to have a more militant worldview in general, but her complete willingness to turn on her former allies who don't knell to superman is abit annoying to me. Otherwise this series continues to be one of the most well thought out and entertaining comic universes I have encountered.

One of the best I've ever read. My only gripe is not with the story or art but with Amazon itself. If you read what vol 2 covers its says issues #7-12. After reading the entire second volume I went to read the descriptions on issues 13+ and discovered that 1-18 fell under volume 1 and issues #19-36 are in volume 2. I don't know who Amazon pays to write but you'd figure they'd at least get that part right. Kinda makes it look like Amazon's hoping for some impatient clicker happy fans that pay more for single issues when its as already included in the volume set. Other than that no gripes about the story. Can't wait for year 2 vol 1 (aka vol 3)

Books Arrival: Earlier than expected. Book's condition: Superb Packaging of book: Good.There was no damage to the book. About the book: This book is simply superb. The story line is awesome. Had never imagined a darker shade of superman. I can relate this to the human tendency that there is a limit for everything. If someone crosses the limit, he/she asked for it. Its worse to cross the line with superheroes. I can't pick sides but I feel batman has a lot riding on his shoulders. I was surprised at superman's transformation and his inability to distinguish friends from foes. Verdict: Overall, worth the money and time. I would recommend this book to everyone.

After reading this, it's a no brainer why it's a #1 best selling series. The storyline is fantastic. Shocking, unexpected things happen. Superman is an unstoppable villian, it will make you hate him [not so good for Superman fans] and just leaves you wondering what in the world is going to happen next?! I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to get the individual comics that continue after this volume ends. It's very enticing!

I collected graphic novels since I was five and owned nearly every original comic there was from the beginning. Then in 1985 two graphic novel series came out which I decided couldn't be topped. I usually favored Marvel but when The Dark Knight and The Watchmen came out, I read, collected and stopped buying until "Injustice: Gods Among Us" was released. I sold my collection several years ago and am pleased they are now available in digital format. I'm sure there has been plenty of great novels released in the past thirty years which I look forward to catching up on.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol-2 is the awesome book!! At the end of the book I was just out of words. 1st I read 'Injustice 1' and then I immediately read 'Injustice 2'. When we play the game it is true you just feel that heroes and villains are fighting against each other only to win but and the end of ('Year One'- of both Injustice 1 & Injustice 2) we realise why exactly the 'Injustice' took place and what exactly happened. Of course there are more parts of 'Injustice' so do buy them as they are worth it!! Kindle Edition-₹463.60 Hardcover-₹899.00 Paperback-₹625.00 -Siddharth Anikhindi

Muito bom! Quem acha que a DC não pode ser mais sombria, devia ler a série. Incrível como um ato pode mudar tanto uma pessoa!

After the events that took place in volume 1, superman continues with his quest to put an end to all wars and, crime with terrifying results. Superman discovers that lex luthor is still alive after lex luthor survived the nuclear blast by hiding in an underground bunker. Lex is grateful to superman for finding him and, offers to help superman and, the justice league with their cause. Lex luthor suggests to superman and, the rest of the league, that they need to create to an army to help enforce supermans plan. With supermans permission lex creates a super pill using kryptonian technology. Which can be used to give normal humans superhuman strength and,durability. Batman figures out what superman is up to and, enlists catwoman, captain atom, huntress, black canary and, green arrow to help him get inside the fortress of solitude. Batman asks the president to set up a diversion, so that it gives him and, and the other's a chance to get into the fortress, before superman figures out what they're up to. Once inside they discover that superman has locked his foster parents Jonathan & Martha Kent inside supposedly for their own safety. Batman decides that it's best they leave before the man of steel gets back, but it's too late. The dark knight and, some of his allies make it out of the fortress alive, but the green arrow is still trapped inside. After a mighty battle with captain atom, superman survives a seven megaton nuclear blast above the earths atmosphere when captain atom attempts to take down superman but, fails. Wonder woman gets caught in the explosion and, is in a coma. Superman tells the flash to get her some medical attention immediately. Superman returns to the fortress, where he finds Oliver queen with the Kent's. Superman confronts green arrow and, murders him by beating him to death. Oliver queens death at the hands of superman shows a violent and, terrifying side to supermans nature. It becomes clear how much more violent and, extreme his behaviour is becoming. A hologram of jor el apologizes to Jonathan & Martha Kent for unleashing him upon their world. The writing by Tom Taylor yet again is very good and, the way he writes Oliver queens death because of supermans actions is heartbreaking. On a lighter note the story he writes involving Harley Quinn and, superhuman bounty hunter lobo is fairly amusing. It brings a nice helping of humour to volume 2. The artwork is better than in volume 1 and, the way the characters are drawn definitely look a lot more consistent. The costumes for all the different characters look better than what I've seen the new 52 comics. I'm looking forward to reading injustice year two and, I've already downloaded volume 1 of year two on my kindle already.

Un second volume superbe (je parle ici du scénario et non des graphismes qui sont de mauvaise qualité) dans lequel s'affirme le duel entre Batman et Superman, chacun à la tête de son équipe.

Great Story, Great Graphics