The Good
The first issue showed us how this world gained a...legacy of super-powered individuals. There was a slight odd feeling as the issue basically had two separate feels in terms of storytelling. The beginning had mystery and intrigue with the ending showing what happened years later.
Mark Millar is showing us a different side of the superhero lifestyle. You never really realize how one-dimensional even the best superhero comics can feel. We may get glimpses into the heroes everyday life but we rarely see heroes or those with superpowers doing other things with their powers besides fighting battles or making plans against their enemies. Millar shows that a world where people can have incredible powers is far from perfect.
A problem with the first issue was seeing several characters in different situations and trying to really care about them when we didn't know much about them. Now that we do know them a little more, it's easier to get sucked into the story. The first issue may have been about setting things up but here, Millar is not holding back. We get a couple pretty big developments that pave the way for some big twists in the next issue.
Frank Quitely's art is great to see. He has a knack for creating the right vibe in each scene and his attention to detail always varies with the different perspectives he uses. We get scenes with several characters and some panels will pull back to give us an idea of what is going on all around. This comic book universe definitely has a distinct feel to it.
The Bad
As much as I love Quitely's art, there are moments when characters look a bit haggard. We get some great detail and then some characters just look really strung out when that shouldn't necessarily be the case.
I am getting more into the story but I still would have liked to have seen more from the beginning of the first issue. What happened on that island? How did the originals actually get their powers? There's always a chance we will find out in a flashback but there just seemed to be such a grand sense of old-timey storytelling we could have had before delving into the imperfect nature of this modern time.
The Verdict
If you had any doubts about this series after reading e first issue, this one should put your mind at ease. Mark Millar has created a cast of super-powered characters and they are far from perfect. Seeing failed attempts and problems that could arise from a superhero/celebrity lifestyle is intriguing. This gives the series a feeling that separates it from the average superhero comic. Frank Quitely's art is great to see. It's always amazing to see the detail he puts in as well as how he lays out a scene. There's still some question as to where Millar will take the story but that's also part of the fun - watching the story unfold. Millar and Quitely have created an interesting world and each issue is a fascinating trip.