What do you think?
Rate this book
Rust #2
Rust Vol. 2: Secrets of the Cell
Picking up where the previous volume, Rust: Visitor in the Field, left off, after a second robot attack on the Taylor farm, Roman, Oswald, and Jet begin to seek answers to the mysteries of the past. Oswald becomes more and more suspicious of Jet's connection to the robots, while Jet himself tries to connect with the flesh and blood family that has harbored him. Roman looks for comfort in his friendship with girl-next-door Jesse, but what he doesn't know is that a new evil may be looming on the horizon for his family. Will they be ready when it comes?
200 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2012
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 5, 2020
Lepp has such a beautiful way of telling a story. You can tell he has an animation background. The panels flow together in such a way that it's almost a flipbook. These 200 pages volumes go by in the blink of an eye. They are so engrossing. Love the carpunk look of the book in the 50's era Canadian farmland setting.
February 28, 2019
Okay I was weak I ordered the next book in the series (the question is how long can I hold out for buying the next - and last two - books in the series. Especially when I really should be reading some other books at the same time),
Anyway why did I think of this next instalment - well it definitely shows that there is a story arc in the developing however I am not sure what it is apart from a very basic intention for destruction. That said there are some tell tale signs (for you who have read the book you know what I am talking about) but there is also a few questions - which after accidentally reading the prelude have in fact created more questions than if I had not. - if that makes sense.
However the nostalgia and the aging feel to the story is still as strong as ever with everything from the sepia colour pallet to the fact that the soldiers all wear great coats so reminiscent of the first world war. There are so many little details that really do give an air of age and history so much so you can almost feel the history in each page.
There is something so captivating to this story I am quite easily being drawn in the only issue is that it does not really feel like we have moved the story along very far from the end of the first book maybe I am wrong or maybe the pace will ramp up exponentially in the next two books - nuts there I go again trying to justify getting the next and last instalments in - time to be strong or get another tea
Anyway why did I think of this next instalment - well it definitely shows that there is a story arc in the developing however I am not sure what it is apart from a very basic intention for destruction. That said there are some tell tale signs (for you who have read the book you know what I am talking about) but there is also a few questions - which after accidentally reading the prelude have in fact created more questions than if I had not. - if that makes sense.
However the nostalgia and the aging feel to the story is still as strong as ever with everything from the sepia colour pallet to the fact that the soldiers all wear great coats so reminiscent of the first world war. There are so many little details that really do give an air of age and history so much so you can almost feel the history in each page.
There is something so captivating to this story I am quite easily being drawn in the only issue is that it does not really feel like we have moved the story along very far from the end of the first book maybe I am wrong or maybe the pace will ramp up exponentially in the next two books - nuts there I go again trying to justify getting the next and last instalments in - time to be strong or get another tea
September 4, 2013
3.5 rounded down. but i loved it like a 5/5.
let me explain.....
volume 2 doesn't stand on its own. you have to read the first. between the two volumes however, when read together, is a cohesive first half of a movie, executed perfectly with minimum dialog and near flawless storyboarding knowledge. this author and Illustrator has perfect execution of his craft. his method is unique and I can see how much time was poured into the action and blocking and pacing of the images. the art style and coloring are his and his alone.
I only wish he didn't break them up into three volumes. I'm sure the publishers insisted, and most people wouldn't want to buy a 600 page graphic Novel for $60, but it would have been a truly fulfilling, engrossing experience by this upcoming visionary.
separately, these volumes are 3s or 4s carried by 5 star storyboarding and action....
all together, which is how I recommend you read them (when they are fresh in your mind), this is a uniquely immersive read fueled by mystery and the subtlties of the human condition unlike many boring "others" in the world of Y.A. graphic novels.
volume 1: 4
volume 2: 3.5
whole story once I read volume 3: likely a 4.5
MH
let me explain.....
volume 2 doesn't stand on its own. you have to read the first. between the two volumes however, when read together, is a cohesive first half of a movie, executed perfectly with minimum dialog and near flawless storyboarding knowledge. this author and Illustrator has perfect execution of his craft. his method is unique and I can see how much time was poured into the action and blocking and pacing of the images. the art style and coloring are his and his alone.
I only wish he didn't break them up into three volumes. I'm sure the publishers insisted, and most people wouldn't want to buy a 600 page graphic Novel for $60, but it would have been a truly fulfilling, engrossing experience by this upcoming visionary.
separately, these volumes are 3s or 4s carried by 5 star storyboarding and action....
all together, which is how I recommend you read them (when they are fresh in your mind), this is a uniquely immersive read fueled by mystery and the subtlties of the human condition unlike many boring "others" in the world of Y.A. graphic novels.
volume 1: 4
volume 2: 3.5
whole story once I read volume 3: likely a 4.5
MH
August 8, 2014
Lepp grew up on the Canadian prairie and he grounds his tale (this is the second in a series) in rural Canada. It also is sci fi, a kind of action story with plenty of beautifully done art and good relationships� I liked it a lot. Not many words, whole pages get told by the images, which I always like. Tell it with pictures as much as possible! Make use of the comic form! Lovely to look at, attractive in many ways. Kid story that adults would like for the art alone. Not juvenile or silly. Serious approach to the young and to the issues it addresses.
February 20, 2014
Lepp, Royden. Secrets of the Cell. Archaia Entertainment, 2012.
Jet is pretty clearly some sort of robot, but he's a hard worker and the other people on the farm like having him around. This book continues where volume 1 left off, describing the dystopian world left over after a war involving robot soldiers.
I probably would have enjoyed this book even more if I had read the first one beforehand. Nonetheless, the art work was beautiful and appropriate and I did enjoy the story, even though there were some gaps in my understanding. I think this book would be very popular in my library as well.
Recommended for: tweens, young adults
Red Flags: cartoon violence
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Jet is pretty clearly some sort of robot, but he's a hard worker and the other people on the farm like having him around. This book continues where volume 1 left off, describing the dystopian world left over after a war involving robot soldiers.
I probably would have enjoyed this book even more if I had read the first one beforehand. Nonetheless, the art work was beautiful and appropriate and I did enjoy the story, even though there were some gaps in my understanding. I think this book would be very popular in my library as well.
Recommended for: tweens, young adults
Red Flags: cartoon violence
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
August 2, 2017
Despite how handy he may be around Roman Taylor's family farm, the mysterious Jet Jones has not fooled young Oz Taylor who has discovered the truth about our jet-packed former soldier. But a new threat is rearing its head on the farm and Jet has to handle that before he can try to convince Oz that his intentions are pure.
I truly love the minimalist approach to dialogue and use of strong, kinetic visuals to tell the story. And it's a beautiful tale, too, that only gets better in volume 2. Please read this.
I truly love the minimalist approach to dialogue and use of strong, kinetic visuals to tell the story. And it's a beautiful tale, too, that only gets better in volume 2. Please read this.
Read
December 27, 2020As with the first volume, Lepp’s storytelling is beautifully measured. Lots of wordless panels and a stunning opening action scene. Storywise, we learn more about Jet and the war, while tensions build around the farm. Sometimes the character work is too sparse, but I’d rather have quiet character work than overwrought, wordy writing with exposition everywhere.
December 26, 2020
I am, ahem, rocketing through the 200-page volumes of this beautiful, wonderfully drawn series.
And that highlights my only real complaint about Rust : it's too light. There's not enough story to sink into. All four volumes taken together are going to add up to one short story.
Plot points:
And that highlights my only real complaint about Rust : it's too light. There's not enough story to sink into. All four volumes taken together are going to add up to one short story.
Plot points:
December 1, 2020
I truly love how cinematic this book feels and not in a big, epic way. It's often quiet, and slow, a page can often be one character looking left then right and then stopping with a confused look on their face.
And the slow, quiet pace of the book works for this story set on a form focusing on two brothers, their relationship with their deceased father and the weird new boy who has secrets of his own.
I think I mentioned it in my review of volume one that this book is drawn more like the storyboard for a movie. Not just in the aforementioned slower scenes but when the action picks up, Jet straps on his rocket-pack and fights with a robot, each moment is telegraphed exactly as you'd expect in a film. There's not a lot of "bams!" and "pows!". You can feel the impact of each hit without the usual sound effects.
The story works as a slowly moving beast with occasional bouts of explosions, but it's definitely part two of a four part story, so it feels more like I'm writing a review on chapter two of a four part story.
And the slow, quiet pace of the book works for this story set on a form focusing on two brothers, their relationship with their deceased father and the weird new boy who has secrets of his own.
I think I mentioned it in my review of volume one that this book is drawn more like the storyboard for a movie. Not just in the aforementioned slower scenes but when the action picks up, Jet straps on his rocket-pack and fights with a robot, each moment is telegraphed exactly as you'd expect in a film. There's not a lot of "bams!" and "pows!". You can feel the impact of each hit without the usual sound effects.
The story works as a slowly moving beast with occasional bouts of explosions, but it's definitely part two of a four part story, so it feels more like I'm writing a review on chapter two of a four part story.
August 27, 2013
This is the second book in the Rust series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The artwork is interesting and well done and the story progresses nicely.
The Taylor farm is recovering from their second robot attack. Meanwhile Oswold suspects that Jet is not as human as he seems and goes looking for answers from the past. Roman is still determined to revive the attack robots and reprogram them to work the farm, he also is comforted by the visit of his childhood girlfriend.
We learn a lot more background about where Jet came from and what his past is. This was very interesting and I loved learning more history behind this world. There is another robot attack and Oswold learns more about the history of the war and secrets behind the cells that drove it.
This book was a bit of a calm before the storm. Things are looking up for the farm at the beginning of the book but you can just tell that things aren’t going to stay that way.
I again enjoyed the sepia tone to the artwork, it matches the tone of the story very well. The artwork is well done and it is easy to follow the story. Much of the story is told in pictures and it is very well done.
Overall I really enjoyed this installment of the Rust series. I am excited to see what happens in the third book. I am really enjoying the artwork, the characters, and the world here. I want to learn more about the history of this world.
The Taylor farm is recovering from their second robot attack. Meanwhile Oswold suspects that Jet is not as human as he seems and goes looking for answers from the past. Roman is still determined to revive the attack robots and reprogram them to work the farm, he also is comforted by the visit of his childhood girlfriend.
We learn a lot more background about where Jet came from and what his past is. This was very interesting and I loved learning more history behind this world. There is another robot attack and Oswold learns more about the history of the war and secrets behind the cells that drove it.
This book was a bit of a calm before the storm. Things are looking up for the farm at the beginning of the book but you can just tell that things aren’t going to stay that way.
I again enjoyed the sepia tone to the artwork, it matches the tone of the story very well. The artwork is well done and it is easy to follow the story. Much of the story is told in pictures and it is very well done.
Overall I really enjoyed this installment of the Rust series. I am excited to see what happens in the third book. I am really enjoying the artwork, the characters, and the world here. I want to learn more about the history of this world.
June 23, 2014
Science fiction mixed with mystery set on a farm and it's awesome! And bonus, it's a truly all ages story enjoyable for adults and kids. There's robots that are leftover from a war that current children (and the reader) only know bits and pieces about. In this second volume, we discover more of the secrets of the world of RUST - particularly as Oswald (the middle child in the Taylor family) learns more. Jet Jones continues his battles with a variety of robot foes all the action makes for a very quick read. I love the art style that Lepp is using for these stories - it reminds me of Skottie Young a little bit - and the color palette he's chosen is genius. The washed out sepia tones really evoke the setting of a mid-western farm while also providing a sense of otherness - since sepia is often used to make things look historical it clearly says,"this is not here; this is not now." I also really like that there's a character with one arm - and, so far, that isn't what defines his character. It's just part of who he is. When researching this, I think I read that it's intended to be 4 volumes total and I was thrilled to think it's going to be a complete story rather than an ongoing - that there should be answers to some of the mysteries in not too much longer. Highly recommended.
February 1, 2017
After reading the first volume of Rust I was super excited to read this one, but very little happens in Volume 2 and I found the chronology to be a bit confusing. (I think the first part of volume 2 was a retelling of part of volume 1? But it's been long enough since I read the first volume, I'm not quite sure.)
All that really happens in this volume is, well, a vaguely illuminating but also not so illuminating conversation between two people, the building of mystery around the identity of a robot boy and his history with a certain war. There is a bit of shifting of focus from the older brother who fixes up robots to help him with farm work, to his younger brother who witnesses something he is trying to make sense of. For some reason I also found this shift to be a bit jarring.
The series is beautifully drawn and in the first volume there is some nice slowness, careful building of story and emotional depth. This second volume didn't deepen the story for me much and if anything, I found myself less engaged with the characters. I'm giving it a three star rating basically because the art is great and the characters intriguing enough that I will probably read the third volume. And I like the word to image ratio (much image, fewer words).
All that really happens in this volume is, well, a vaguely illuminating but also not so illuminating conversation between two people, the building of mystery around the identity of a robot boy and his history with a certain war. There is a bit of shifting of focus from the older brother who fixes up robots to help him with farm work, to his younger brother who witnesses something he is trying to make sense of. For some reason I also found this shift to be a bit jarring.
The series is beautifully drawn and in the first volume there is some nice slowness, careful building of story and emotional depth. This second volume didn't deepen the story for me much and if anything, I found myself less engaged with the characters. I'm giving it a three star rating basically because the art is great and the characters intriguing enough that I will probably read the third volume. And I like the word to image ratio (much image, fewer words).
January 5, 2015
While I thought volume 1 was slow, I enjoyed the start of the story. This volume, however, really sold me on the story and artwork. I agree with other reviewers - I wish volumes one and two were combined. I love the way that Lepp writes for his characters, giving us small clues about their personalities and history, but in such a way that I felt like I really know them. There's a sophistication to the artwork that I think really shines through in this volume. The chase scene between Jet, the model-C, Oswald, and the train has these beautiful moments where the scenery blurs or is shown as still while characters race by. You feel like you can hear the rockets, the train, and then the quiet of the farmland. There's a great sense of foreboding throughout, and I'm looking forward to that paying off in volume three. Really very good!
March 27, 2019
Brothers Roman and Oswald still struggle to keep the family farm going, using robots and hard work to keep everything in order. Newcomer Jet Jones has been helping out as much as he can. He has some mystery about him--he never takes off his goggles or jetpack, even when coming to dinner. When Roman reprograms an old war robot to do farm work, it goes haywire and attacks Jet. Meanwhile, Oswald is off visiting an old man who knows a lot about the cells that power the robots. He tells Oswald enough to make him more suspicious of Jet.
The story is moving forward slowly but is still dolling out interesting information in hints and tidbits. The art style is really good--simple and expressive.
Recommended.
The story is moving forward slowly but is still dolling out interesting information in hints and tidbits. The art style is really good--simple and expressive.
Recommended.
June 7, 2013
A beautifully showcased graphic novel and an intriguing, if not drawn out, story, Rust is the story of a family trying to keep their family farm going after their father fails to return from a way in which it was man vs machine.
I love how we're filled in a bit more on the back-story in Secrets of the Cell but I'm a little concerned about how little is actually happening in the two volumes that are currently out.
I'm hoping volume three moves things along somewhat because I also love how this graphic novel doesn't talk down to its audience. It's intense, serious, and full of emotions yet child-friendly and I'd hate for that to be wasted on a story that ultimately doesn't go anywhere.
I love how we're filled in a bit more on the back-story in Secrets of the Cell but I'm a little concerned about how little is actually happening in the two volumes that are currently out.
I'm hoping volume three moves things along somewhat because I also love how this graphic novel doesn't talk down to its audience. It's intense, serious, and full of emotions yet child-friendly and I'd hate for that to be wasted on a story that ultimately doesn't go anywhere.
November 19, 2013
Rust is a great graphic novel for all ages. The art is a fantastic blend of Steampunk and a folksy golden era Americana. Definitely worth checking out if you get a chance!
Volume II continues the strong precedent set in the first book. Though a few answers of questions born from the first book are teased, there isn't a great deal of satisfactory resolutions at this point in the series. This obviously wants you to continue reading when the next book releases, but also poses a problem if this is the final book you get your hands on.
Volume II continues the strong precedent set in the first book. Though a few answers of questions born from the first book are teased, there isn't a great deal of satisfactory resolutions at this point in the series. This obviously wants you to continue reading when the next book releases, but also poses a problem if this is the final book you get your hands on.
January 14, 2020
In Rust VOL.2 I thought that there was a lot more action and secrets and the first one to find out about Jets cell was Oswald. When he found out that Jet was a machine Oswald was really mad and wanted Jet to leave his family alone and all Jet was trying to do was protect them from the Model-c. What i think is going to happen is that Oswald is going to try to get Roman to kick Jet out of the barn.
May 13, 2020
It's been a while since I've read the series. I only had the first book and I didn't know how to get the second one. It is a thrilling ride and with plenty of good action. However, I still have questions about Jet Jones' history. I hope to get the third book soon and hopefully not have to wait for years and years.
September 2, 2018
Fabulous story about a mysterious run away boy with secrets, and access to fantastic technology.
Beautifully drawn all ages adventure that covers some quite complex themes. Authority, responsibility and suspicion of outsiders.
Beautifully drawn all ages adventure that covers some quite complex themes. Authority, responsibility and suspicion of outsiders.
September 25, 2018
This is much deeper than most comics and even novels that I have read. I haven't read that third book yet, but I am quite impressed with what I have read so far. It has drawn out emotion from me that the other novels I am reading has yet to do. Plus, the story is unique.
March 26, 2018
Everything a graphic novel should be. A wonderful story wrapped in art that is evocative and thoughtful. Driving the story forward and making you think.
August 15, 2018
Mid-western Astroboy drawn in sepia. Adults can be quite stubborn.
September 23, 2018
Another stellar story. A fun read. Can't wait for vol 3.
March 27, 2019
An excellent follow-up to the first volume. A little bit of insight into Jet's history, the war, and Oswald. Excited to continue...
June 29, 2019
4.5 ⭐️ *review to come*
May 24, 2020
The art is really amazing, definitely the reason I keep reading
January 9, 2017
The art is excellent.
The story, YE GODS, the story moves at the pace of an injured sloth (which is a tad ironic, considering there's a character named Jet who is equipped with rocket-feet). So slow. SO SLOW. Also, there aren't many characters but about half of them do exactly the wrong thing at exactly the right time, which makes them difficult to sympathize with. It's a plot moved forward, inch by tortuous inch, through stupidity. I'm probably going to try the third one because I can get it from the library, but if this knuckleheads-trudging-through-molasses-in-the-wintertime nonsense keeps up I'm out.
The story, YE GODS, the story moves at the pace of an injured sloth (which is a tad ironic, considering there's a character named Jet who is equipped with rocket-feet). So slow. SO SLOW. Also, there aren't many characters but about half of them do exactly the wrong thing at exactly the right time, which makes them difficult to sympathize with. It's a plot moved forward, inch by tortuous inch, through stupidity. I'm probably going to try the third one because I can get it from the library, but if this knuckleheads-trudging-through-molasses-in-the-wintertime nonsense keeps up I'm out.
January 7, 2021
Did not disappoint. Such a solid and beautiful series. The sepia tones lend to a nostalgic setting broken only by the alternate historical events. All is not good on the farm. Roman is neck-deep in robots, convinced they will help make the farm successful once again. Jesse wants to go to the city, but is torn between leaving what she knows and loves and finding a better life elsewhere. Oswald is convinced that Jet is trouble after discovering he isn't human. And Jet is bent on staying with this family for awhile longer. Is there more we don't know about Jet? All the while, the threat seems to be mounting against the farm and those who live there.
August 1, 2023
�3.5
An improvement from the first book but I know it could be even better.
An action packed sequel with more hints towards some of the overarching mysteries and a handful of good character moments. I enjoyed the scenes on the train and of course the artsyle.
The intrigue for the Dad is building up more and more as the series progresses. I'm starting to wonder- is jet the Dad?
Not their dad obviously since he's a robot but is he supposed to be the childhood version of their Dad? From the parallels in the letter at the end is when I really started to think this theory might be true.
I have to read more to find out!
�3.5 ▪︎ 173 pg
An improvement from the first book but I know it could be even better.
An action packed sequel with more hints towards some of the overarching mysteries and a handful of good character moments. I enjoyed the scenes on the train and of course the artsyle.
The intrigue for the Dad is building up more and more as the series progresses. I'm starting to wonder- is jet the Dad?
Not their dad obviously since he's a robot but is he supposed to be the childhood version of their Dad? From the parallels in the letter at the end is when I really started to think this theory might be true.
I have to read more to find out!
�3.5 ▪︎ 173 pg
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.