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Vanish #2
Vanish, Volume Two
Members of superhero group, The Prestige, continue to attack Oliver Harrison as his sanity and sobriety hang in the balance. While Oliver's power grows and he holds his ground, we gain vital insight into the mystic realm of Everkeep and evil Baron Vanish's past... and future? From DONNY CATES (GOD COUNTRY, Hulk, Thor), RYAN STEGMAN (VENOM, King in Black), JP MAYER (Absolute Carnage, Fantastic Four), SONIA OBACK (Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, Han Solo), and JOHN J. HILL (CROSSOVER, Harley Quinn), the all-star creative team that brought you VENOM, comes the second chapter of this brutal as hell tale. Collects VANISH #5-8
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2023
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 30, 2023
I was really looking forward to getting back into this world and while the art was absolutely ridiculous in the best ways, the quality and feel of the story fell so far in the worst ways.
July 4, 2024
This one kept me on the sidelines compared to Volume 1..which I loved.
But that was a kick in the head ending that should bring me back for Volume 3
But that was a kick in the head ending that should bring me back for Volume 3
October 29, 2023
Ohh....poor Donny. Clearly this is a story that has close ties to his own life, and even with his accident involved, this is a rough read, content and plot wise. It only is a few issues, I don't even think Stegman was drawing a lot of it, and the ending is....a curious choice. I could seeing this series dropping off here, but a door is cracked for more of Donny can come back stronger.
January 21, 2024
This was a mess. Less Stegman artwork and the story isn't cohesive. Cates has a message here but it gets lost in translation.
June 29, 2023
Well. I asked for Donny Cates to say something relevant to his life and I got it here…
Solid story but… it feels weird to like a book that feels THAT personal.
Solid story but… it feels weird to like a book that feels THAT personal.
December 18, 2023
75
This was alright, read vol one a few months back and was a little confused as to what was going on. Also felt like lots of different artists completed some of the pages.
This was alright, read vol one a few months back and was a little confused as to what was going on. Also felt like lots of different artists completed some of the pages.
September 26, 2023
Vanish's second arc is...tough to get through, at times. It feels like Donny Cates has a lot to say here, and not all of it is very nice, which is fair. It does mean that the book is a bit heavier than the first arc would suggest, as Oliver goes through physical, mental, and magical torture as he tries to get the world to realise that his enemies aren't as dead as everyone thinks.
The thing that bugs me about this book is that Ryan Stegman only draws a little of it. Image books always feel like they 'should' have one creative team, because they don't need to worry about constantly being on time or sticking to a regular monthly schedule, so when a series like this swaps out artists (especially one as good as Stegman) for lesser talents like V. Ken Marion and Netho Diaz, it feels wrong. Neither of them are bad, but this isn't their book, it's Cates' and Stegman's (I know, no one made them draw it, but you get what I'm saying, right?)
Vanish's second arc (or the second half of it's first) is odd. I'm still intrigued enough to keep reading, but I do worry if we'll actually see the rest of the story or not.
The thing that bugs me about this book is that Ryan Stegman only draws a little of it. Image books always feel like they 'should' have one creative team, because they don't need to worry about constantly being on time or sticking to a regular monthly schedule, so when a series like this swaps out artists (especially one as good as Stegman) for lesser talents like V. Ken Marion and Netho Diaz, it feels wrong. Neither of them are bad, but this isn't their book, it's Cates' and Stegman's (I know, no one made them draw it, but you get what I'm saying, right?)
Vanish's second arc (or the second half of it's first) is odd. I'm still intrigued enough to keep reading, but I do worry if we'll actually see the rest of the story or not.
September 26, 2024
It was okay in some places, and in others it wasn't, it really wasn't.
I feel bad saying this knowing what Cates went through, but this is still a piece of media they chose to release and I will treat it as such. This whole story really fell off, the Vanish reveal really came out of nowhere and was not explained in any way that made it work, the bullet reveal was completely pointless, and the ending just feels meaningless considering they haven't done a third volume. All we're left with is a bleak story about addiction and somebody's failure to save themselves, it's not awful, but it is incredibly rushed and unsatisfying.
It's a darn shame that this run had to end like this, it had so much promise and there was clearly a lot of hope and ambition from Stegman and Cates at the beginning, but with what happened to Donny and Stegman moving on to his own projects, it seems this series is destined to... well... vanish.
I feel bad saying this knowing what Cates went through, but this is still a piece of media they chose to release and I will treat it as such. This whole story really fell off, the Vanish reveal really came out of nowhere and was not explained in any way that made it work, the bullet reveal was completely pointless, and the ending just feels meaningless considering they haven't done a third volume. All we're left with is a bleak story about addiction and somebody's failure to save themselves, it's not awful, but it is incredibly rushed and unsatisfying.
It's a darn shame that this run had to end like this, it had so much promise and there was clearly a lot of hope and ambition from Stegman and Cates at the beginning, but with what happened to Donny and Stegman moving on to his own projects, it seems this series is destined to... well... vanish.
August 23, 2025
Some how Cates pulled off a story more involved and tragic than the 1st volume. A beautifully tragic and action-packed showdown dealing with elements of trauma and acceptance. Vol. 2 is a mind bending page turner that had me on the EDGE looking forward more. I hope there is more to come for this series.
February 16, 2024
The story here is almost incomprehensible--maybe, magic is a drug? I don't know. I remember quite liking the first volume, but this one is a real mess.
October 31, 2025
5.5/10
August 11, 2024
Vanish is a decent read though sometimes the story does get convoluted. But the manic nature of the read bolsters the plot and the unstable nature of the protagonist
November 5, 2023
This volume was not that good considering where and how it started but then again its the circumstances of the writers life and what he went through and it shows here.. and yeah its weird but I still enjoyed most of the volume.
The story gets a bit convoluted with whats real or not with the psychological issue, and yeah its become such a big comic trope, I wasn't surprised to see it and then there's the thing with Vanish trying to save his wife then she leaves him, and then learning that he didn't kill Baron vanish exactly because there was a curse associated with that.. it kinda feels like they are merging and becoming one of sorts? Maybe like Naruto and Kurama type? Or Yuji and Sukuna from JJK?
If its something like that in future volume it could be cool seeing something like that explored like the chosen one becoming the dark one.
And yeah the whole thing with Elyn feels rushed but the end status quo is cool and in case the series is continued, I can't wait to see how it will end and the battle between Elyn and Ollie!
The story gets a bit convoluted with whats real or not with the psychological issue, and yeah its become such a big comic trope, I wasn't surprised to see it and then there's the thing with Vanish trying to save his wife then she leaves him, and then learning that he didn't kill Baron vanish exactly because there was a curse associated with that.. it kinda feels like they are merging and becoming one of sorts? Maybe like Naruto and Kurama type? Or Yuji and Sukuna from JJK?
If its something like that in future volume it could be cool seeing something like that explored like the chosen one becoming the dark one.
And yeah the whole thing with Elyn feels rushed but the end status quo is cool and in case the series is continued, I can't wait to see how it will end and the battle between Elyn and Ollie!
February 11, 2024
I read ALOT of comics and graphic novels. That's why most of my "reviews" on here are a lot of summary, so when the next Volume of something comes out, I can go back to the previous Volume and remind myself of what happened so that I can enjoy what I am about to read.
On rare occasions, I read the summary of the previous Volume and nothing jogs my memory. In this instance, I usually go back and reread the previous Vol, or at least flip through it. But... because I rated Vanish V1 a 5 stars, I figured once I got a little into Volume 2, it would all come rushing back.
It didn't.
But this is a testament to how good this comic is. I didn't care... and I enjoyed it anyways. The combination of story and art here is phenomenal. I will be going back and reading V1 and V2 when 3 comes out, so I'll say no more here and leave it for a second review.
Pick up both at once. I know you'll love it.
On rare occasions, I read the summary of the previous Volume and nothing jogs my memory. In this instance, I usually go back and reread the previous Vol, or at least flip through it. But... because I rated Vanish V1 a 5 stars, I figured once I got a little into Volume 2, it would all come rushing back.
It didn't.
But this is a testament to how good this comic is. I didn't care... and I enjoyed it anyways. The combination of story and art here is phenomenal. I will be going back and reading V1 and V2 when 3 comes out, so I'll say no more here and leave it for a second review.
Pick up both at once. I know you'll love it.
June 17, 2025
It definitely got weirder (not in a good way) but not at all better or less confusing. I saw a review that said this was based on personal life struggles of the writer. If thats a fact then bravo for trying to make sense of your brand of crazy. However as a pure nonfictional made up story, this was all over the place, and the writer probably does need some mental health care.
This was not great story (to me). Again if it’s just portraying factual of addiction and codependent relationships, then yes its sad and bizarre. I personally just couldn’t be in that situation. I dont think there is anyone i “love”, so much, that i would let them break me. And it’s unfortunate that there are people who understand those situations as love.
2.8✨
This was not great story (to me). Again if it’s just portraying factual of addiction and codependent relationships, then yes its sad and bizarre. I personally just couldn’t be in that situation. I dont think there is anyone i “love”, so much, that i would let them break me. And it’s unfortunate that there are people who understand those situations as love.
2.8✨
October 28, 2023
A big, confusing, while keeping the edgy feel of the first volume.
I think this was a little too convoluted to the point I was confused what was happening for awhile. I usually love Cates stuff, but this wasn't it. I know he was going through a hard time during this (Divorce) and some of it is played out here. And also soon after got into a car accident. So I know he's not doing well when writing this but it shows.
Overall lots more deaths, weird twist at the end, and it feels almost superficial in the end.
A 2.5 out of 5. Pushing it to a 3 ONLY because the art is still great.
I think this was a little too convoluted to the point I was confused what was happening for awhile. I usually love Cates stuff, but this wasn't it. I know he was going through a hard time during this (Divorce) and some of it is played out here. And also soon after got into a car accident. So I know he's not doing well when writing this but it shows.
Overall lots more deaths, weird twist at the end, and it feels almost superficial in the end.
A 2.5 out of 5. Pushing it to a 3 ONLY because the art is still great.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews