This is one of those books that just hits all the right notees for me. You have Alex Ross doing the art which never disappoints, then you have Mark Waid on the top of his game. The story is deconstructionist tale, but it's a good one (I've been burned by too many Spider-Man and Daredevil tales where they try to figure out what it is that makes a hero tick). The story is epic yet never loses touch with the humanity in its characters. It's a book that definitely deserves several read throughs since Alex Ross hides little things (both trival and narrative) that just make the book better upon subsequent readings. As for the story, the fact it was a mini-series helped to ensure that the book was self-contained. The narrative arc feels natural and there some wonderful dialogue.
If you bought the issues then you missed out on some of the story. Much as how a DVD will contain a "deleted scene" so does this trade. Nothing Earth shattering but it does enrich the story. There's also a few drawings from Alex Ross' sketchbook, a Who's Who guide to the covers and a collection of promotional art that Ross did.
All in all, this is a superhero book in top form. It's a trade I've used a few times to get comic readers to admit that superhero books can have some depth and to a few non-comic readers to get them to admit that comics can be a legitimate medium.
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