Comic Info
Comic Name: Animal Man (Volume 2)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Steve Pugh/Travel Foreman/ Timothy Green II/Albert Ponticelli
# of Issues: 8
Release Date: 2013
Animal Man (2) #0
Reprints Animal Man (2) #0, 7-12, and Animal Man (2) Annual #1 (May 2012-November 2012). Buddy Baker has learned that he isn’t the avatar of the Red and that he was only “created” as a means to protect the real avatar…his four-year-old daughter Maxine. The Rot has seized the opportunity to extinguish the new avatar while she is still young and only Animal Man stands in their way. When Animal Man is possessed by the Rot, Buddy much find a way to reclaim his body and protect his family. Plus, Maxine learns of another avatar of the Red and his adventures with the avatar of the Green…Swamp Thing!
Written by Jeff Lemire, Animal Man Volume 2: Animal vs. Man continues the New 52 relaunch which started in Animal Man Volume 1: The Hunt. The series was well received by critics and fans.
I love Animal Man and have always loved Animal Man. The original series by Grant Morrison is a great read (and highly recommended), but Lemire has breathed new life into the minor character by once again expanding on his powers and origin.
Animal Man (2) #11
The battle with the Rot is raging in this volume, and Buddy and his family are on the run. The idea that Buddy isn’t really the avatar was an interesting choice and opens up a lot of options in this story. This part of the story is lead up to the big Swamp Thing crossover called Rotworld, but still feels like it is its own story…and great fun!
A number of artist work on this collection…and that usually isn’t something I like. I don’t mind different artists stepping in for flashback issues and if there is a reason behind the art change, but here the changes seem kind of arbitrary. Travel Formean’s art is obviously the most original art of the series though I do feel that it is “love it or hate it”.
Animal Man is a great series and Animal Man 2: Animal vs. Man is another great entry in the series. This collection is heavily tied to events in Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree, so if you are a fan of this series, you might want to check out the first few volumes of that series as well. Animal Man 2: Animal vs. Man is followed by Animal Man 3: Rotworld—The Red Kingdom.
Related Links:
Animal Man 3: Rotworld—The Red Kingdom
