We Live, Vol. 2: Age of the Palladions

We Live #2

by Inaki Miranda (Writer/Illustrator), Roy Miranda, Eva de la Cruz (Colorist)

The Miranda Brothers and the entire WE LIVE creative team return with the next chapter in the story of the hopeful, apocalyptic world of Tala and Hototo.

Year 2090. Six years have passed since Salvation Day, when Palladions, with their majestic powers, emerged as the protectors of humanity, saving the five remaining Megalopolis and securing the future of the human species

But nothing stays and the horizon always brings a new storm.

These are dark times. Death, famine and desperation lurk around the streets of Megalopolis 9. The shield has lost thirty percent of its reach. The New Nature has learned to create cuts in the energy channels that power the Beacon and the Palladions. A neverending horde of beasts siege the remains of the city, increasing the desperation among the population.

The responsibility of keeping the city afloat lies on the shoulders of Generals Nesbo and Terrassa, who have to resort to risky survival measures…

The reconnection missions are the only thing that is keeping the population secure…but nothing seems enough.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2022

About the author

Spanish artist Inaki Miranda resides in Madrid, Spain, where he earned a fine arts degree in painting at Complutense University. After testing the waters of animation and videogames, he made himself a place in the comics industry illustrating titles such as Tribes: The Dog Years (Soulcraft Comics/IDW), Fables, Fairest, Coffin Hill and Catwoman for DC Entertainment.

Reviews

[Karl Hiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like others here, I felt this was a letdown after the first volume. I found the twist at the end of that volume to be weird, but was willing to roll with it. However, this volume was an avalanche of new concepts and situations and characters that never took the time to set up or explain things. The worldbuilding was clearly extensive but it felt like less than half of it made it onto the page, leaving me perpetually confused about what was happening on the page. The three characters who made the first volume shine had a few good moments, but otherwise characterization was thin to non-existent for everyone else. I'm not sorry I read it -- the art was beautiful and individual scenes were exciting to read. I guess the fate of the series is up in the air with Aftershock's bankruptcy, but I'll read the next volume if it's ever released.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's six years later. Hototo and and Tala are grown up and working to protect what's left of humanity as Megapolis 9's defenses begin to fail. The world building and character designs are top notch. I love all these crazy creatures the Mirandas come up with. I really like how they all evolved from the same origin point too. Some of the storytelling still isn't the clearest at times, but I'm still digging this series.

[Trevor ComicFan · Rating 4 out of 5]

80

This was slightly disappointing. The first one was superb, and this one started out pretty confusing. I cared much more about the soft character moments than the big battles. And sometimes the panel jumps left too much out, leaving me confused as to what happened. Volume one was outstanding, this one was pretty good. Will continue in the future, but glad I borrowed this one from the library.

[Ανδρέας Μιχαηλίδης · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this 5 stars because I believe it fell unfairly victim to the vicissitudes of COVID and the bankruptcy of Aftershock. Did the Miranda brothers try to fit too much in it? Certainly. But the drama, the hope-in-the-midst-of-doom motif, hoping against hope and suffering terrible loss, these are played to perfection.

I did not particularly like the whole Emperor / Accepters thing - it felt like it came out of nowhere, but again, I believe it was part of a broader worldbuilding that never got to shine.

You WILL be pissed at the ending of vol. 2, especially since there will likely never be a vol. 3. However, as an example of "last, desperate stand", in the vein of the great anime stories of yore, this is a truly good comic.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.
With as much as I love the first Volume, I just don't like the direction this took. Hokoto and Tala are grown and superheroes defending their world, but it has devolved into a generic sci-fi post-apocalyptic alien invasion story. If the tone hadn't been set with the first Volume to be so unique and amazing, I might be more willing to accept this one.
As it is... sorry. But, it is a beautiful and thought out book. Judge for yourself.

[Shevek · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story pivotes here towards a kaijus vs mechs / superheroes genre, quite far from the tone of the first volume. Aside from the focus on the survival of the characters, it was more colorful, emotional and optimistic. This is rather aseptic and insubstantial. The script and the dialogues are very plain and forgettable, so the interest in this book lies in the combo of art and music, which works great again.

[Asja · Rating 1 out of 5]

Я прочитала перші три глави та останюю, можна сказати. Глави невеличкі, але мене сюжет не зацепив. В першій книзі були протистояння світу, виживання, життя налагоджується, а в другій стало ще гірше. Зрозуміло, що в постапокаліптичному світі не може бути одразу гарно та прекрасно, але... Мені набридла ця постійна безнадійність та виживання на останніх ресурсах, та смерть персонажів, яких представили три сторінки тому... 

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big let down from a great first volume. Art still very solid but storytelling is extremely boring with the characters from the last volume barely resembling who they were in the first. The superhero twist was great in the first book but I feel like it didn't live up to it at all in this volume. Very disanointing volume.

[uzhuj · Rating 1 out of 5]

First volume was okayish, so I tried this, but gave up halfway through. Hate the characters, don't care about them. Story is quite nonsense.

[Larakaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit all over the place but still good

[Delphine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't get into the story this time, but the art remains top notch 👌🏼

[enya · Rating 2 out of 5]

j'ai moins aimé que le premier mais divertissant

[Ctecain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je l’ai trouvé moins bon que le premier tome, mais ce qui est sûr, c’est que la musique intégrée est un point fort de cette série.