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borpotingis's review
adventurous
slow-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
Concrete seeks to answer the question "what if a regular joe got super powers?" In a way that seems believable. Sudden onset super powerdom leads to less heroics than you might expect and much more decaying social relationships and difficulty making true friends.
ice119's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
kidclamp's review
5.0
I read this despite having just read the Complete Concrete and I am so glad that I did.
The Complete Concrete has a nice introduction which talks about many of the aspects of Conrete's character, and while I thought that book was excellent I really didn't see all the things the writer of the intro described.
Reading this volume I get it now.
This overlaps several stories with the complete Concrete, but it adds a lot of small conector stories which were missing before. Concrete attending child's birthday party, diving in the ocean, scaring some annoying kids. These little vignettes show the man inside of Concrete and that really makes the character work.
The format is a bit of a let down just because the art is shrunk about 50%, but it's still visible and readable.
Bring on volume 2
The Complete Concrete has a nice introduction which talks about many of the aspects of Conrete's character, and while I thought that book was excellent I really didn't see all the things the writer of the intro described.
Reading this volume I get it now.
This overlaps several stories with the complete Concrete, but it adds a lot of small conector stories which were missing before. Concrete attending child's birthday party, diving in the ocean, scaring some annoying kids. These little vignettes show the man inside of Concrete and that really makes the character work.
The format is a bit of a let down just because the art is shrunk about 50%, but it's still visible and readable.
Bring on volume 2
novelerachavela's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sisteray's review
2.0
Ok, what am I missing? I guess the book has a certain zen-like embrace of the mundane. In concept this turns the whole the super hero stereotype on its head, but really for the most part there isn't much excitement here. I understand how the world needed an anti-Grendel at the time, but after the 25+ years since this has been released the market has been flooded with indie navel gazing. I'm not sure that this has that much going for it to rise above the rest other than getting there first. Frequently the art is lovely, and the stories do have a certain charm, but I guess I have to say that I'm just not the audience for these.
bennyd's review
2.0
A comic series which follows an oddly unheroic superhero, who uses his powers to travel the world and do fun things he always wished he could before he gained his powers. Part of the reason I didn't really like this TPB was its overly-idiomatic use of thought bubbles to show every character's inner feelings. It took the subtlety right out of the scenes. But beyond this seemingly trivial issue, the stories feel uninspired, contrived situations, used to make a point about some aspect of humanity. This tactic could be a refreshing take on the superhero genre, but fails due to its poor execution.
NOTE: I have read most of the second TPB and it gets better. From what I hear, the series continues to improve from there. So, don't be dismayed if you were really interested in this series; just don't expect to be wowed by the first dozen issues.
NOTE: I have read most of the second TPB and it gets better. From what I hear, the series continues to improve from there. So, don't be dismayed if you were really interested in this series; just don't expect to be wowed by the first dozen issues.
vulco1's review
3.0
This was good but slow.
If you liked the book Gladiator you’ll like this. It’s mostly about a guy with super powers trying to use them and live in society but all his attempts fail.
If you liked the book Gladiator you’ll like this. It’s mostly about a guy with super powers trying to use them and live in society but all his attempts fail.
jmbz38's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
zachb's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cjordahl's review
3.0
The book has an appeal that I can't quite articulate. It wasn't as good as I hoped and expected, though. The art is quite good, but the the chapters' plots are simplistic, the story pacing is erratic, and the dialog is stilted. The series has a good reputation -- maybe it gets better over time (it did improve over the chapters in this book)? Or maybe it's one of those books that doesn't age well?