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The Astounding Wolf-Man
The Astounding Wolf-Man, Volume 2
After the Earth-Shattering events of volume one we find Gary Hampton, The Astounding Wolf-Man, on the run from the law - his very life hanging in the balance He must learn how to harness the beast within, once and for all, and clear his name before the full might of the U.S. government takes him down Guest Starring Invincible This volume collects The Astounding Wolf-Man issues #8-12 and Invincible #57.
152 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2009
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,622 books7,141 followersRobert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 25, 2022
I read the complete 25 issue comic book series, covered by the 4 graphic novel volumes. A series that sees Robert Kirkman's take on the werewolf legend but in the Invincible reality. A good read with many Kirkman-ish twist and turns, that was even better on rereading. On the run, and up against the US Government, Wolf-Man needs to contain his inner demon. 6 out of 12
2017 read; 2011 read
2017 read; 2011 read
June 5, 2013
So glad I decided to continue reading this, despite first volume being pretty average. This is so much better.
I don't know if the comics itself has become better, or I got used to its quirks?
It still has more or less the same shortcomings.
-Ridiculous costumes and sometimes funny-in-a-bad-way superhero crews.
-Cartoony artwork that reminds me of Mickey Mouse comics...
However volume 2 has some notable imprisonments.
-Characters gain depth,
-Story becomes way more complex,
-We get to think about some difficult moral dilemmas.
This volume concentrates on consequences if Gray's transformation and him trying to cope with his changing world.
All in all this is turning out to be a awesome comics book. Before it was a quick and fun read. Now it carries substance.
Way to go!
I don't know if the comics itself has become better, or I got used to its quirks?
It still has more or less the same shortcomings.
-Ridiculous costumes and sometimes funny-in-a-bad-way superhero crews.
-Cartoony artwork that reminds me of Mickey Mouse comics...
However volume 2 has some notable imprisonments.
-Characters gain depth,
-Story becomes way more complex,
-We get to think about some difficult moral dilemmas.
This volume concentrates on consequences if Gray's transformation and him trying to cope with his changing world.
All in all this is turning out to be a awesome comics book. Before it was a quick and fun read. Now it carries substance.
Way to go!
January 3, 2022
60% | C+ | Good
"I need to be faster. I need to be stronger"
What tips this volume slightly over the previous is the tie in with the Invincible series and the cameos from many of the characters. Mark and Gary have a good dynamic, and whilst I am not a fan of Cecil as a character, his inclusion does elevate the story and push the narrative into a more interesting direction with the inclusion of the Global Defence Agency, and I have a feeling that this isn't the last we will see of him.
The Invincible scenes aren't the only ones which are entertaining to read. Gary's training moments include some fun moments too, and it is nice to learn more about the wolf who changed him along the way. Chloe's storyline is also quite engaging, despite the fact I feel like I know where it's going, and I'm excited to read more scenes between her and her new mentor.
Unfortunately, this does seem to be shaping into yet another conflict which is driven by misunderstanding due to lack of communication . I know that there is the excuse of 'oh, they would never believe me' threaded into the character's motivation for not communicating with one another, but it still feels like some of the smaller conflicts - like Gary and his daughter - would benefit from a simple conversation.
"I need to be faster. I need to be stronger"
Now on the run from the law for a murder in which he didn't commit, Gary uses his time as a fugitive to hone his skills as a werewolf by learning from the one who turned him and makes some new friends along the way
What tips this volume slightly over the previous is the tie in with the Invincible series and the cameos from many of the characters. Mark and Gary have a good dynamic, and whilst I am not a fan of Cecil as a character, his inclusion does elevate the story and push the narrative into a more interesting direction with the inclusion of the Global Defence Agency, and I have a feeling that this isn't the last we will see of him.
The Invincible scenes aren't the only ones which are entertaining to read. Gary's training moments include some fun moments too, and it is nice to learn more about the wolf who changed him along the way. Chloe's storyline is also quite engaging, despite the fact I feel like I know where it's going, and I'm excited to read more scenes between her and her new mentor.
Unfortunately, this does seem to be shaping into yet another conflict which is driven by misunderstanding due to lack of communication . I know that there is the excuse of 'oh, they would never believe me' threaded into the character's motivation for not communicating with one another, but it still feels like some of the smaller conflicts - like Gary and his daughter - would benefit from a simple conversation.
February 26, 2023
Still really enjoying this series! This book was a training arc, but still included some intense and important moments to the overall story. This one is building to a couple awesome future interactions that I can’t wait to see play out. Loved seeing Invincible in a couple of these issues. Great art still, as well!
November 22, 2022
Was fun seeing the crossover between Invincible and The Astounding Wolf-Man again after finishing Invincible a while back, and seeing how Gary’s story ends up running into Marks. This volume also made me like Gary more than I already did.
May 10, 2020
Reprints The Astounding Wolf-Man #8-12 and Invincible #57 (September 2008-January 2009). Gary Hampton is wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies and is on the run. With his identity as Wolf-Man revealed and wanted for killing his wife, Gary wants revenge on the man responsible and seeking out the werewolf that made him Wolf-Man might be the only hope. Meanwhile, Gary’s daughter Chloe is mourning the death of her mother and seeks a way to avenge her.
Written by Robert Kirkman, The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 2 is an Image Comics collection. Following The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 1, the series features art by Jason Howard and the issues in this volume were also collected in The Astounding Wolf-Man Complete Collection and .
Kirkman’s superhero books always have a style. It is a balance of realism, outlandish action and gore, and real-time pacing. While Invincible is the perfect combination of these (with some slow points in its long run), The Astounding Wolf-Man is trying to keep pace.
This collection has a bit more meat that the first volume. It was too easy for Wolf-Man in the first collection and here, he’s facing more danger and more threats since everyone wants him captured. Gary gets to “meet his maker” and work on honing his powers which are more than just becoming a wolf.
The volume also contains a crossover with Invincible which shows how the whole Invincible universe works. The Astounding Wolf-Man has the same tone as Invincible so a crossover seems rather natural, and it works. It is the typical fight and then team-up style of comic books, and despite being a modern comic book writer, it is a kind of wholesome aspect of Kirkman’s Invincible universe.
Despite being a bit more movement and action in this volume, The Astounding Wolf-Man is like Invincible in that it does move rather slowly overall. The “real-time” aspect of the Invincible Universe doesn’t make it realistic for Gary to be having adventure after adventure. The pacing is methodical, but Kirkman injects insane violence and gore at the drop of the hat which keeps the series spiced up.
The Astounding Wolf-Man is a nice addition to the Invincible Universe. It is a different comic book than Invincible, but it still has a lot of the same tone and feeling. Unlike Invincible, you can feel that The Astounding Wolf-Man doesn’t have as long of a shelf-life. It feels like it is moving faster and doesn’t have as much depth to keep the series going. The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 2 was followed by The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 3.
Written by Robert Kirkman, The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 2 is an Image Comics collection. Following The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 1, the series features art by Jason Howard and the issues in this volume were also collected in The Astounding Wolf-Man Complete Collection and .
Kirkman’s superhero books always have a style. It is a balance of realism, outlandish action and gore, and real-time pacing. While Invincible is the perfect combination of these (with some slow points in its long run), The Astounding Wolf-Man is trying to keep pace.
This collection has a bit more meat that the first volume. It was too easy for Wolf-Man in the first collection and here, he’s facing more danger and more threats since everyone wants him captured. Gary gets to “meet his maker” and work on honing his powers which are more than just becoming a wolf.
The volume also contains a crossover with Invincible which shows how the whole Invincible universe works. The Astounding Wolf-Man has the same tone as Invincible so a crossover seems rather natural, and it works. It is the typical fight and then team-up style of comic books, and despite being a modern comic book writer, it is a kind of wholesome aspect of Kirkman’s Invincible universe.
Despite being a bit more movement and action in this volume, The Astounding Wolf-Man is like Invincible in that it does move rather slowly overall. The “real-time” aspect of the Invincible Universe doesn’t make it realistic for Gary to be having adventure after adventure. The pacing is methodical, but Kirkman injects insane violence and gore at the drop of the hat which keeps the series spiced up.
The Astounding Wolf-Man is a nice addition to the Invincible Universe. It is a different comic book than Invincible, but it still has a lot of the same tone and feeling. Unlike Invincible, you can feel that The Astounding Wolf-Man doesn’t have as long of a shelf-life. It feels like it is moving faster and doesn’t have as much depth to keep the series going. The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 2 was followed by The Astounding Wolf-Man—Volume 3.
August 19, 2022
I loved the way the first volume ended, and we immediately pick up in that aftermath. I like that Kirkman seemingly knew where he wanted to go with this series, so he cuts out all the bullshit and gets right to the point. Gary continues to focus on learning his powers and learning from his mistakes, all the while tracking down a very personal enemy.
We also get a crossover from Invincible, which may be completely disorientating to anyone only reading this series, which I'd imagine is a small number.
I like the dynamic between Invincible and Wolf-Man and appreciate their "WE HAVE TO FIGHT BEFORE WE CAN BE FRIENDS" was mercifully brief.
We also get a crossover from Invincible, which may be completely disorientating to anyone only reading this series, which I'd imagine is a small number.
I like the dynamic between Invincible and Wolf-Man and appreciate their "WE HAVE TO FIGHT BEFORE WE CAN BE FRIENDS" was mercifully brief.
January 24, 2020
My favorite volume so far! The story really started to come together after the 7th volume in the last trade paperback, and it really takes off in this edition. I loved the Invincible crossover and I definitely loved seeing Wolf-Man in that style! I'm going to check out Invincible sometime soon as well because of this. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next, so I'm ordering the complete edition on Amazon when payday comes around. I can't wait to see what happens to Wolf-Man next.
December 9, 2019
Kirkman's Astounding Wolf-Man is fun and serious without taking itself too serious. Its everything that The Walking Dead isn't. I'm not sure why this series didn't get more popular. Jason Howard's art, reminiscent of Ryan Ottley, is very good but lacks details at times. His werewolves are fantastic. The story gets an Invincible crossover that fits really well. Overall, a very good book.
January 28, 2019
Astounding continues to be great, there is one revelation in this volume that I wish could have been more of a twist, but for all I know it might still be, so I'll keep my lips zipped. This volume also has the Invincible crossover in it, which is pretty cool.
July 7, 2024
This is such a great series that I am seriously bummed that Robert Kirkman is 86-ing it with Issue 25. One can only hope that he will come back and revisit this character and concept again in the future.
March 27, 2025
not bad. the characters arent all the interesting to me, and the whole back and fourth between "i know you killed them" vs. "i didnt, let me explain" is super annoying. like we get it, just let him talk for 5 minutes, damn! anyways, the training arc is interesting! dats all
March 13, 2021
This is progressing slowly, but because I've finished Invincible I do know it will progress.
Maybe the next volume?
Maybe the next volume?
September 9, 2021
When I started this series I had no idea it was set in the same universe as the amazing Invincible comic. Now I know, and the book is that much more enriched for it! Highly recommended.
March 9, 2022
"The Astounding Wolf-Manin" toinen osa jatkaa samalla hölmöllä mutta jokseenkin viihdyttävällä linjalla. Ei tämä ole sen parempi tai kehnompi kuin leijonanosa muistakaan supersankarisarjakuvista.
March 31, 2023
Yeah baby
July 15, 2009
After a semi-promising freshman outing with the first volume on Kirkman’s newest superhero title, I confess to being disappointed with this latest collection of issues in the further adventures of Wolf-Man. For as great a writer as Kirkman, I’m surprised to feel so under-whelmed at the trite character development and plotting. And as for Howard, his inks don’t do his pencils justice. The additional pencils and thumbnails provided in the end pages of this volume are a joy to behold. But his final inks ruin what I see as some pretty darn good comic art. (Isn’t this often the case?)
Thankfully I borrowed both Wolf-Man volumes from my neighborhood library, rather than spending my hard-earned dough on them. Perhaps Kirkman is wearing himself thin – what with putting out so many comic book titles a month. (I can count at least three.) Here’s hoping that he either shapes up his scripting efforts in The Astounding Wolf-Man, or brings it to swift conclusion. Why? Because I fear his writing on The Walking Dead will suffer if he continues to over-produce.
Thankfully I borrowed both Wolf-Man volumes from my neighborhood library, rather than spending my hard-earned dough on them. Perhaps Kirkman is wearing himself thin – what with putting out so many comic book titles a month. (I can count at least three.) Here’s hoping that he either shapes up his scripting efforts in The Astounding Wolf-Man, or brings it to swift conclusion. Why? Because I fear his writing on The Walking Dead will suffer if he continues to over-produce.
August 25, 2010
Une série vraiment intéressante. Ce second tome permet à l'histoire de vraiment décoller, et j'ai hâte de découvrir la suite. Les personnages sont très fouillés, et la future confrontation entre Gary et sa fille me fait déjà saliver. Qui plus est, les arcs sont très bien pensés, et les cliffhangers très efficaces.
Niveau dessin, j'accroche toujours autant, et j'ai été bien bluffé par la double page sur Zechariah. Et les bonus sont toujours intéressants, avec des planches d'ébauches, commentées par le scénariste et le dessinateur. Et ça donne une véritable valeur ajoutée à l'album. En plus, le papier est de bonne qualité.
Série à suivre donc, et à faire partager parce que c'est du bon super-héros.
PS : le cross-over avec Invincible m'a en plus donné envie de découvrir mieux ce personnage.
Niveau dessin, j'accroche toujours autant, et j'ai été bien bluffé par la double page sur Zechariah. Et les bonus sont toujours intéressants, avec des planches d'ébauches, commentées par le scénariste et le dessinateur. Et ça donne une véritable valeur ajoutée à l'album. En plus, le papier est de bonne qualité.
Série à suivre donc, et à faire partager parce que c'est du bon super-héros.
PS : le cross-over avec Invincible m'a en plus donné envie de découvrir mieux ce personnage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2019
I liked this volume but my only real complaints comes from my lack of knowledge of the greater image universe like I know a little about Invincible but the other characters like Cecil and the Guardians of the Globe and the events they talk about kind of confuse me and makes me believe I am missing something important. But I do like we actually got a proper backstory of Zecharaiah and the idea of his plan is actually really cool and is something I am shocked that the big two (Marvel and DC) have never attempted. Also the triple threat I am not a big fan of since in the first volume all of those villains were barely a foot note and it seems they are going to be a major focus but they are not that interesting but maybe the next volume will flesh them out.
April 9, 2011
This tome was anticlimactic for me after the first volume. Despite further developments and revelations, the story feels like Kirkman is only paying slight attention to it. I admit I came to this from Wolf-Man's appearance in Invincible, and the cross-over felt forced and the fight was silly and unconvincing. Invincible and Wolf-Man's fight comes across as the worst style of team-up from 70s comics where the characters meet, fight, then talk, which comes across less as cool retro than cheesy. The art is still good, but the overall story let me down, sadly.
March 20, 2010
The new status quo at the start of the book, less superhero, more hounded hero, is wonderful. Unfortunately, this volume jumps all over the place, giving the bad guys the spotlight in two issues, and throwing a crossover with Invincible in the middle. In other words, it barely progresses, but when it gets moving, the book should be good again.
January 25, 2010
The pace of the story telling pick up in this volume as Gary remains on the run as he is the chief suspect in his wife's death, and his vampire mentor's plans are given a further reveal. There is some fun with the introduction of federal special agent Hunter and stunt casting by Invincible.
August 16, 2010
Not a lot of forward progress in this volume. It didn't help that I had just read Invincible #57 and Astounding Wolf-Man #11 in the Invincible: Ultimate Collection, vol. 5, and even then, I thought it was a gratuitous team-up.
February 14, 2014
After what is probably the biggest change/plot twist in this entire series, The Astounding Wolf-man has changed his life drastically, and definitely not for the better.
If you liked volume 1, just keep reading.
If you liked volume 1, just keep reading.
February 28, 2010
Might rate this a bit higher if it didn't seem so similar to Invincible, down to the plot construction and artwork.
October 7, 2014
It would've been helpful if I had read (or had background knowledge of) Invincible before reading this volume...there's a crossover and I was a bit lost.
January 10, 2011
Even better than the first.Esp with the introduction of the Elder.Cant wait for the next volume.
October 25, 2012
Just alright...
July 21, 2014
I'm enjoying this series more as it progresses. I'm looking forward to the next volume!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews