The Good
I'm loving the way that Jeff Lemire is setting up this big "whoa" moments in the book; last month there was the "red" reveal, and this week's second-to-last pages are just amazing.
I also feel that this book has nailed down something important: pacing. Instead of rushing the origin story, villain, hero and supporting cast all in one book, it's letting the story breathe, which is important when you want the reader to absorb what's going on. I feel like this story is evolving at a natural pace and isn't being shoved in our faces, which is more than I can say for some other New 52 titles.
Buddy's inner dialog is being balanced out with his outer dialog, which is great. He's interacting with the reader internally while interacting with his cast externally, and as a result the issue doesn't seem too cluttered. Instead of having a character we can't connect with (or one we connect with too much), we're getting a little bit of both.
The Bad
I can't really agree withh Buddy's logic in the "it's his crazy word against yours" logic when it comes to dealing with his neighbor, but I don't think it's glaring flaw. It'll probably come back and bite him in the butt, but hey, what doesn't?
I'm also hoping that his daughter doesn't turn into a Layla-Miller-esque "I know stuff" demi-god-girl. With all the weird stuff that's happening to her, she seems strangely calm - this extends to her father, who I figure would be much more freaked out. I know it's not much of a stretch for a powered father to be patient with his offspring's developments, but when she starts spouting apocalpyse prophecies and metaphysical concepts? I'd be a little weirded out.
The Verdict
I'm going to give this book a rare five-star review because the problems I had with the book aren't exactly permanent ones; after all, we're two issues into the series and still don't know the "new" Buddy quite yet. The reason that I say "give it time" to this book, and not others is that Jeff Lemire has put together an amazing book without the excuse that "it'll get better."
It doesn't need that excuse in any way, shape or form; Animal Man is a mighty fine main course at the moment, and further character developments are like dessert.