***Contains Spoilers***
The Question by Dennis O’Neil Omnibus Vol. 2 continues the journey of Vic Sage, delving into the chaos of Hub City while also venturing into standalone tales that further explore the character’s philosophical and moral dilemmas. This omnibus collects the second half of O’Neil’s seminal run, including annuals, the five-issue Question Quarterly, and a crossover in The Brave and the Bold. It’s a compelling continuation for fans of the first omnibus and offers a strong mix of serialized storytelling and introspective, standalone narratives.
What really impressed me was how this volume maintains the high quality of the first. The main series tackles Hub City’s post-election chaos, with Myra’s tenure as mayor setting the stage for conflict and tragedy. The city is as broken as ever, and Vic’s journey back from Brazil to Hub City is one of rediscovery and redefinition. The shocking death of Myra’s daughter was a gut-punch, but it felt like a fitting choice in the grim, unpredictable world O’Neil has built. Issue #5 of Question Quarterly was particularly intriguing, presenting various perspectives on the incident where Vic punches Myra—a storytelling experiment that highlights the subjectivity of truth and perception.
The crossover with Green Arrow in the annuals was a standout, blending Vic Sage’s philosophical investigations with Oliver Queen’s more action-oriented approach. Their dynamic worked surprisingly well, balancing the ideological differences between the two heroes. On a similar note, The Brave and the Bold crossover (Grell’s run, issues #1-6 from 1992) delivered another team-up, this time including John Butcher. The plot—about Indian terrorists and the IRA—was rich in social commentary, as expected from these characters. However, I was struck by how many people were killed by the so-called heroes in this story. Oliver Queen’s and John Butcher’s body counts felt high, even for the morally grey world they inhabit. Grell’s take on these characters was solid, though, and it left me pondering the ethics of their actions long after I put the book down.
The self-contained stories in Question Quarterly were a pleasant surprise. Each issue felt fresh and introspective, adding depth to Vic’s character. While the quarterly only lasted five issues, they were strong, focused narratives, and I’d gladly reread them. That said, I did miss Tot in this volume—his absence felt noticeable, though thankfully, his fate is addressed in The Question Returns.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say that the pacing in certain parts of the main series dragged slightly, and the high body count in the Brave and the Bold crossover felt out of place for Vic’s usual approach. But these are minor complaints in an otherwise excellent collection.
Overall, The Question by Dennis O’Neil Omnibus Vol. 2 is a worthy continuation of the series and a must-read for fans of the character. Its combination of hard-hitting social commentary, philosophical introspection, and compelling storytelling earns it a solid 4 stars. Highly recommended for anyone who loves morally complex comics.
Feature Image The Question #35 cover art by Denys Cowan