What an amazing novel! Alternative Culture is night and day compared to the previous volume. 
 Where Style > Substance was confusing and annoying, Alternative Culture answers all of my questions and hooks me in. I suppose I had volume 1 all wrong because it felt like plot hole after plot hole. Vol 2 shows us there is more to the whole story than meets the eye! 
 First of all, I love Prodigy. Where Wiccan felt whiny and annoying in vol 1, Prodigy is hilariously funny and captivating. It also feels strange to say, since I'm a huge Wiccan x Hulkling fanboy, but I love the special moment Prodigy had with Hulkling. Maybe because Wiccan has changed so much, I wanted something different to happen to their relationship, which feels strange to say. I want Wiccan and Hulkling to be together, they just have to do some soul searching first. 
 Ironically, just as Hulkling leaves Wiccan, that is where I respect Wiccan the most. Wiccan gets it, and he lets Hulkling go. It makes me sad to think about because I just want them to lie in bed and cuddle and be happy. Of course that would be too easy, and life is more complicated than that, which I can relate with on so many levels. Relationships are hard. People change. Love can be scary. 
 Kid Loki grates on me a lot less in this novel. I have accepted he is nefarious, and I like that the novel finally lays it out for us. He is a selfish prick, a liar, and a manipulator. In vol 1 Kid Loki's motivations do not make any sense. In vol 2 they all make sense, and I appreciate that the writers really thought through these characters. 
 Kate Bishop also becomes more intriguing with her brief moment with Mother, the intergalactic parasite. I wonder what that was all about. And Mother makes so much more sense now! I love that the novel finally explains what her deal is. After reading the first novel I was afraid Mother was a farcical joke, but she really is a force to be reckoned with. 
 Evil faux Patriot also intrigues me. I feel more drawn to him than Mother. I hope they continue on with his story because I love how mysterious his motivations are too. 
 Marvel Boy was a lot better in this novel too! In vol 1 he is flashy and cocky, but in vol 2 he is charismatic x10. That instagram photo of him that Kid Loki posts, where Marvel Boy is shirtless and wearing those tight short swim trunks...Ay chihuahua! 
 Also, Speed, Wiccan's twin brother was absolutely hilarious in the novel! The interactions between him and Prodigy had me grinning ear to ear. If only Speed and Prodigy could be an item. They are so cute together, especially since Speed always looks like he is blushing around him. 
 Lastly, I have to commend the artists for making Hulkling's human form super attractive. He is handsome and charming to the nines! I have a bit of a crush. Also, Wiccan's new character design is growing on me. At first I didn't like his floppy hair, but there are panels he does look charming. Also, his look is improved in this volume because he wears his suit and cloak. I miss his headband, but the suit is improved because the arms take the form of a galaxy, which is pretty. 
 All in all, I love this novel. I mentioned in my review of the previous volume that I was not heavily invested in this series. Alternative Culture quicky turned that around! I will definitely have to purchase this and the rest. Young Avengers is definitely worth collecting as a gay comic book fan boy. :)