Although it's kind of annoying that the Wreath language is never translated, Volume 4 knows how to keep you hooked in. Just....... try to ignore the ridiculous appearance of King Robot.

The weakest so far in the series.

I'm almost glad several months went by since I read vol 3, I'd almost forgotten how amazing this series is!

I really loved the introduction of The Circuit. A soap opera revolving around Superheroes with typical bad acting and even worse storylines. Adding more problems for our favorite couple Alana and Marko with hilarious results. Another great read!

Sometimes the biggest to a family isn't from outside of it. In this volume we have a conflict rising between Alana and Marko as little Hazel becomes a toddler. From parenting techniques, to personal choices, to how much each parent thinks they are or are not contributing to the household etc. While this is going on there's a new robot princeling born but there are plans for that child's fate as well. The adversaries from outside the family unit start to close in here too. I'm really starting to think this series can do no wrong. The family drama is tight and real without being soap opera level melodramatic and you really feel for both Alana being overworked but loving her life outside of the family and Marko feeling tempted by Hazel's dance teacher and just bored and useless around the house. The art continues to be amazingly first rate and I love the image of the robot king - both jaw dropping and also an "of course that's him" moment.

Brian K. Vaughn's saga continues with volume 4, with Hazel now a toddler and narrating a difficult time in her parents' lives. Marko and Alana, members to two warring races, find their relationship drifting apart as they try to keep food on the table. Meanwhile, their enemies draw closer, and their friends prove unreliable.

Taut writing and stellar artwork keep this series moving. While this volume seems a little transitional, hence the four-star versus five-star rating, it's still one of the best graphic series around.

I suddenly find myself wishing I hadn't given the previous volumes 5-star ratings, because I've left myself nowhere to crescendo. This one had less action and more reality, and was even better because of it. So, so good.

Although still a standout graphic novel, I felt this was weaker than earlier volumes. There was an exceptional amount of graphic violence that served no purpose, and one of the major subplots was trite and unimaginative. That said, the artwork was, as always, superb, one of my favorite side characters got a lot of "screen" time, and the ending left me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

24 issues in, and this adult-themed comic is getting more compelling with each release. My only question is this: Where can I get a lying cat?

This volume introduces some conflicts and complications - will the dream team of Marko and Alana be able to make it work? I am really interested to see where future volumes take this story.