The Plutonian once again confronts his nemesis Modeus while the remnants of the Paradigm discuss the ramifications of using the fruit of the Tree of Life to protect the human race from the impending radiation poisoning.
Irredeemable #35
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Diego Barreto
Colorist: Nolan Woodard
Editors: Matt Gagnon and Shannon Watters
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover A: Kalman Andrasofszky
Cover B: Matteo Scalera with Darrin Moore
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Last time in Irredeemable… Qubit discussed a plan for the Plutonian to take his abilities to the next level, while the Paradigm found the Tree of Life with the help of former member Gilgamos, and Modeus, now inhabiting the body of the Plutonian’s former lover Bette Noir, has called the Plutonian to himself.
THE HOME STRETCH
Both Irredeemable and Incorruptible only have two more issues remaining after this month, and Mark Waid has a number of loose plot threads to tie. In this issue we get a continuation of the Paradigm’s efforts to save the world, now from the threat of radiation poisoning rather than further Plutonian attacks. Interestingly, their solution involves humanity eating from the fruit of the Tree of Life, which will grant immortality to the consumer. The only drawback is that if the Plutonian can’t be dealt with, they could be dooming the human race to eternal torment at the hands of a sadistic god. This sort of plight is truly compelling writing; Mark Waid has been at the top of his game for much of this series, and since he’s able to end the series on his own terms things look to be ending well.
The relationship between Modeus and the Plutonian has been one of the most creepily fascinating parts of this title, with Modeus’ unrequited love for his foe creating a strangely sympathetic villain. Up until this point, the Plutonian has rejected all his advances, yet with the occupation of Bette Noir he finally has a host that the Plutonian already feels a physical attraction for. Modeus, being the genius that he is, has discovered new aspects of Bette’s superpower, bending gravity in ways that give him/her invulnerability and the potential to pose a distinct physical threat for the Plutonian.
It would also appear that the undesirables the Plutonian brought back from the prison planet are being whittled down, as one might expect for a “happy” ending to the series. Whether that’s actually where Mark Waid is going with this or not is yet to be seen, but I for one am excited to see where things go from here!
LOTS OF FIGHTING
While nowhere near as gruesome and gory as Ryan Ottley’s work on Invincible, Diego Barreto’s art for the fight scenes in this issue of Irredeemable was wonderful. Waid has been very fortunate to have great artists working with him, both on this title and Incorruptible. I always am a fan of the Boom! house style with the heavy inks. I also love the main cover, done by Kalman Andrasofszky—it has a delightfully creepy feel with the intense linework details.
THE BOTTOM LINE: It’s certainly not coasting its way to the finish…
Irredeemable and Incorruptible are both, month in and month out, some of my most enjoyed titles. With the series drawing to a close I wouldn’t recommend jumping on with this issue, but if you haven’t been reading the title I would absolutely go pick up the first trade from my local comic shop. Irredeemable #35 was a fun comic with some interesting twists, and deserving of 3.5/5 stars.
