The Matrix Comics, Vol. 2

The Matrix Comics #2

by Spencer Lamm (Editor), Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski

The masterminds behind The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions unveil a second collection of comics tales based on their epic creation, starring some of the biggest names in comics! Spinning out of concepts by the Wachowski Brothers, this new volume features stories and artwork by, amongst others, Geof Darrow (conceptual designer on all three films, co-creator of Hard Boiled), Steve Skroce (storyboard artist on the films), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin) and Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween). Exploring every facet of The Matrix universe and expanding upon the mythos of the movies, The Matrix Comics 2 is essential reading for any fan.

Larry and Andy Wachowski wrote and directed all three The Matrix films, as well as the cult classic noir Bound. Geof Darrow co-created Hard Boiled and The Big Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot. Steve Skroce has illustrated Wolverine, Youngblood and many more besides. Tim Sale illustrated Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory.

Contents:
1. Farewell Performance - Jim Krueger (writer), Tim Sale (artist)
2. Déjà Vu - Paul Chadwick
3. System Freeze - Poppy Z. Brite (writer), Dave Dorman & Michael Kaluta (artists)
4. The King of Never Return - Ted McKeever
5. An Asset to the System - Troy Nixey
6. A Path Among Stones - Gregory Ruth
7. Run, Saga, Run - Keron Grant (inks by Rob Stull)
8. Wrong Number - Vince Evans
9. Broadcast Depth - Bill Sienkiewicz
10. Who Says You Can't Get Good Help These Days? - Peter Bagge
11. Saviors - Spencer Lamm (writer), Michael Oeming (artist)
12. I Kant - Kaare Andrews

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book, Short Stories, Graphic Novels Comics

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Vigneswara Prabhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Second volume of the Matrix comics didn't tickle my noggin in the same way as the First. There were a few interesting stories, but nothing on the level of Goliath or The Miller's Tale. Some stories such as Broadcast death & the King of Never Return were interesting, but never got to anywhere.

The last few tales are a marked improvement, but all in all this was an OK anthology. Giving it 3 out of 5

[Samuel Ch. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume offers better drawings and more intense action. While volume 1 shows some side stories that are relevant in the development of the whole Matrix history (such the B166er trial or the bread festival), this 12 stories bet for something more visual and violent.

Like before, Peter Bagge appears again with his naivety and impertinence, but tearing those pages apart, the comic is pure excitement and it becomes something better than just a collector item.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schade, ich habe das halbe Internet abgegrast, um diese zweite Volume der Matrix Comics in die Finger zu bekommen. Leider sind die wenigsten Comics hier wirklich gut - aber immerhin gut genug, dass ich mir meine frisch erworbene Blu-Ray Box angucken werden (Version 3.0 quasi - nach der VHS und den Einzel-DVDs - meine Güte, was haben die schon Schotter an mir verdient)

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another compendium of Matrix Comics, collecting previously-published material from whatisthematrix.com and some new content. This is perhaps a little more consistent than the previous collection in terms of writing, theme, and artwork, but is still mostly going to appeal to dedicated Matrix fans. A couple of particularly intriguing stories pick up where the last movie left off, and I was pleased to see more humour and irony than the somewhat po-faced entries that dominated the first volume.

[Joeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to read some stories set after the trilogy. Yet it feels they could have done more with it and I liked it less than the previous installment.

[Thesexyman19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this very book, best what movie.

[Sketching Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this rather addictive! It is a collection of short stories set in The Matrix universe, much like The Animatrix DVD was a collection of short animated films. The artwork varies throughout the collection as it features different artists and writers on each story, which were apparently originally published online and now collected in this volume. This is volume 2 and I haven't yet read volume 1, however this wasn't a problem at all. As long as you've seen the movies, you'll make perfect sense of these, as they are self-contained little peeks into the lives of others discovering The Matrix for themselves, and what happens to them. There was the odd story that was a bit more comical than serious (well perhaps only one), but overall I enjoyed the stories very much, and read the majority of them in one sitting. Just like the movies, this is a highly addictive series of adventures. I'd highly recommend this to any Matrix fan.

[angrykitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

i bought this and the first vol at the same time. though i'm so far disappointed with the first vol, i'm still holding out hope for the second.

am now reading this vol, and so far am more impressed than i was with the first vol.

now finished, and this was much better than the 1st vol, though it was shorter. i think that since it contained more comics from after the sequels came out (or at least when tehy were in production), it was more interesting to the overall matrix world story.

[Sean Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neither better nor worse than vol. 1.

I love that these comics exist in tandem with The Animatrix and the videogames. The stories and art vary wildly and are mostly restricted by the mysterious of early Matrix canon. I can't for the life of me figure out why there weren't long-running comic arcs around the different aspects and iterations of The Matrix. It could have started a kind of universe as Marvel and DC have done.

[Daniel Murcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este segundo volumen no es más de lo mismo, al menos no del todo. Las nuevas historias tiene más acción, quizás algo más homogéneo (si se puede usar la palabra) en cuanto al dibujo. Básicamente más madera para seguir navegando por el mundo “Matrix”, tal vez demasiado para los que optaran por la pastilla azul pero nunca suficiente para los que seguimos al conejito blanco.

[Rainb0warri0r · Rating 4 out of 5]

All'altezza del volume precedente. Molti racconti sono ispirati alla stessa tematica: il conflitto matrix/realtà come conflitto tra sogno/veglia. A tal proposito, il racconto della ragazzina che "sogna" continuamente di svegliarsi fuori Matrix, nella sua capsula nei campi, è fenomenale.

[milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

more great stories based on the matrix universe. well written and illustrated.

[Rathan Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second half of more insight into the already dense world of the Matrix series.

[Jarrett Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it, I read it, I mindlessly enjoyed it, the end.

[jzmcdaisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of fascinating stories all revolving the expanded universe of the matrix. Great art and mind bending stories, but I found them all to be way too short, and found myself wanting more.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of it was great. Some of it was interesting. Some of it was mediocre. I liked the Bill Sienkiewicz part.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read Vol 2 - some good stories in here too. I like the Neil Gaiman story in Vol 1 the best.

[Ill D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paper thin stories presented on paper thin paper. No cohesion exists, the adhesive is only the glue between the papers.

meh