Madman Volume 2

Madman Comics

by Mike Allred

This book features everyone's favorite yo-yo slinging super-hero, Madman, in his first full-color adventure Robots Dinosaurs Frank and Joe's first kiss This one's got it all, including the artwork that made Mike Allred a star

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Fiction

456 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Michael 'Doc' Allred (Also Credited as M. Dalton Allred) grew up in the 60's and 70's and was surrounded with the best in pop culture and a steady diet of music, movies and comic books including the three B's: Beatles, Bond and Batman to the point of obsession.

So it should come as no surprise that he keeps a hand in film and music (He's the lead singer and guitarist for The Gear), but comic books have always been a seminal source of joy for Mike and that joy remains the main ingredient in most of his work.

Allred first tasted success in the comics field with his wildly popular MADMAN series, which is currently being developed for a live action film with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. His earlier work from GRAFIK MUZIK was turned into the cult hit movie G-Men from Hell directed by Christopher Coppola (featuring Robert Goulet as the Devil). Other work includes Red Rocket 7, his history of Rock and Roll told in the context of a sci-fi adventure storyl the Madman spin-off THE ATOMICS and his magnum opus, THE GOLDEN PLATES, where he's illustrating the entire Book of Mormon.

Mike counts the secret to his success to be his wife, and creative partner, Laura Allred, who is is considered to be one of the best colorists in the business.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madman Volume 2 collects Madman Comics #1-11.

Despite wanting to like the "cool" books of the time period, I've been a fan of Madman since the 1990s. I've had this book on my shelf for quite a while and finally decided to crack it open.

In this volume, Madman takes on killer robots, aliens, mutant street beatniks, a man made out of vomit, The Blast, and his greatest enemy, his own hidden past.

Michael Allred's art is a combination of silver age art from the Big Two, Moebius, and other influences, giving it a unique retro yet modern look. If the book didn't have a story, I'd probably still buy it for the art.

Luckily, that is not the case. Madman's innocent outlook lures me back every time and the stories are a love letter to comics in general. Madman encounters comic trope after well loved trope, from shrinking to battling monsters, from jetpacks to rayguns, from secret government agencies to crazy aliens. There's a sense of fun, a sense of strangeness, and an unapologetic goofiness at times, making for a unique read. By the end of the book, some dark things are hinted at, making me eager to read the next book, as if I wouldn't eventually anyway.

Madman is a timeless work and this volume is a worthy addition to the saga. Four out of five stars.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's one of those books I get the following, and art is great, but as it goes on, I'm losing more and more interest. I'm starting to think these just aren't for me.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been aware that Madman existed, but was never able to read it. Unfortunately, my library didn't have Volume 1, so I'm starting the Madman adventure in the middle.

Madman is ... difficult to describe. It's this strange mix of elements from early horror movies and science fiction from the 50's and 60's. The eclectic characters seem to stumble into more than go out on adventures. The series is quirky, but has a charm to it, primarily evoking from the main character Frank. He's innocent, possibly naive, and on a journey of self-discovery.

Allred's art is like no other. It's immediately identifiable and his most recent work was Silver Surfer by Slott & Allred Omnibus, which also has the same quirkiness and charm.

While I'm just a tad too old to get many of the homages and references, there are many I recognize or have seen, even though I didn't grow up with them. It's hard not to like the book though, but I can see how a younger generation may not "get" it.

[Devin Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first: I love Mike Allred's style. His 60s aesthetic filtered through 30 years of pop culture developments; his manic, full colour action scenes; his deceptively simple characterization; the way he handles the quiet emotional moments of the characters; and the crazy supporting cast he's making for Madman. It's like Metamorpho plus The Bible plus Metal Men plus The Beatles plus Batman plus...plus a million things. He does actual thought-provoking, non-corny existential and existential crises in the midst of mind-blowing action sequences.

There are so many great moments in this collection, from the small moments (the tiny robot with the New York City accent) to the big ones (possibly finding God). And then the twist at the end of this volume? Simply unreal. Love Madman. Love Allred. Love Comics.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalmente subo la edición española recopilada en un pack (cuya portada jamás encontré, por eso subo esa foto medio pedorra), que por lo que veo equivale casi exactamente al tomo recopilatorio en inglés. Ya subí todos los libritos que componen este pack (5 en total) y los reseñé -es un decir- por separado, pero tampoco voy a dejar vacía esta hueca reseña. Ninguno de los tomitos me pareció una maravilla absoluta, pero la idea de Madman en sí me gusta tanto, que hago un poco de trampa sumándole una estrellita. Espero no colgar tres años hasta leer otros Madman Cómics.

[Felipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually Image Comics Madman vol 2.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but mainly for the art. Super goofy, golly gee, neat dialog just isn't for me but dang Allred can draw!

[Patrick Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful adventure full of color and verve and wit.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of Freakazoid (and X-Force in here). At one point, I think the main character says, "You big weenie!"

I wonder which came first.

There's something amazing about this throughout but it gets a little "Cerebus Syndrome-y." (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...) The problem is that it gets serious or emotional but that the more it attenpts to be serious, the more it hews to traditional expectations. The plot twists are surprises within the context of the book but not as unusual as the other things that happen.

This is different from most of the book which leaves a lot of threads hanging.

Still strongly recommend.

[Matt Sabonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how wonderfully excellent the first 11 issues of this series are. Especially the Big Guy crossover and the Factor Max story. There's a great approach to philosophy and metaphysics, as well as some great hints of where Frank is supposed to go (some of these hints paid off nearly 10 years later in Madman: Atomic Comics!). Just great, great stuff.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysteries deepen, the weirdness escalates, the inner turmoil becomes more tumultuous, and the madness gets a wee bit madder. Episodic, choppy, less than effective as a "novel," but fun comics with a depth behind the bright colors.

[Dony Grayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edición española en pack que redistribuía en promoción los 5 números de la miniserie.