THE MATRIX COMICS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION / WRITERS: THE WACHOWSKIS, NEIL GAIMAN, DAVE GIBBONS, ET AL. / PUBLISHER: TITAN / RELEASE DATE: MARCH 6TH

This is no glitch: The Matrix Comics is back. An epic hardback collection of Matrix comics new and old, this enormous tome comprises of twenty-eight stories, spanning 400 pages and a breathtaking array of talent.

The Matrix Comics originated as an online strip to coincide with the release of the movie in 1999, before accruing enough volume to be collected into two physical anthologies. Set in and adjacent to the world of the movies, these comics are short, self-contained stories, many of which can be read independently, without pre-existing knowledge of the Wachowski’s classic trilogy/films/film. In addition to the reprinted material, this book boasts four new to print stories – almost 100 pages of never before published material.

Those who do know their Matrix – the book’s core audience – however, are in for a treat. Opening with the prequel Bits and Pieces of Information (written by the Wachowskis themselves), it serves as an illuminating tie-in to the world of the movies, and a bit of refresher course for those excited for Lana Wachowski’s promised sequel. Also featured in this book are stories by such industry legends as Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Tim Sale, and Bill Sienkiewicz, to name but a few. With stories ranging from the bizarre (Gaiman’s tale is particularly Gaiman) to the humorous (Peter Bagge’s Get It?), there should be something for most readers.

This enormous chunk of a book makes for a gorgeous collectible coffee table edition but, ironically, if it’s readability one’s after, you’d be better plumping for a digital edition – at 400 pages, this is a cumbersome read, and particularly hard to curl up with on the sofa.