Customer Reviews

Powers Vol. 8: Legends

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bendis is a treasure: A writer of substance and quality who happens to work in Comics. Powers, which is created, controlled and owned by Bendis is his best series (though the first 3 hardcover volumes of Ultimate Spider-man are equally superb in a more 'family-friendly' way, and his take on Daredevil in Hardcover Vols. 2-5 really inject life and depth into the classic, but sometimes bland character). The Only concern is Marvel overworking him. They keep giving him new duties, and Bendis takes them on eagerly. Seems they can't turn down any idea from their best writer and Bendis keeps coming with them.

Vol. 8 may not be his best work, but Powers is a must read series. (Also Avon Oeming's artwork is classy, clear and tells the story wonderfully. This isn't a book dominated by the artwork, and I mean that as a high compliment.)

If you picked up a random Powers collection that takes place after this one, you are coming into a continuing storyline that sees Deena Pilgrim at her most desperate and other elements being placed together in a way that makes little sense. THis book is the background of almost every storyline from volume 2 including the return of Retro Girl, the criminal elements taking over in the absence of Powers, the return of one group of forcibly retired Powers and Deena Pilgrim's dark journey.

This is mostly a confusing mess of a book but as a setup to bigger and better things it is essential. And the death of one cop is hilariously awful.

What would happen in a world where the use of superpowers is banned? That's what you'll find out in this volume of Powers. Superheros obey the law, but super villains keep on doing what they do best--cause havoc. With the cops out-gunned, there's not much they can do, until a long-dead superhero arrives to save the day. Cops and politicians freak out, but regular citizens see a ray of hope in the appearance of this mystery hero.

Powers brings hardcore crime fiction and superheros together in an irresistible mix. The artwork is drawn if a cartoon-like style that seems to mirror the style of the old Batman animated series. The coloring also adds to the sense of mood. Each page is a pleasure to look at. However, be warned--this series depicts hard violence, so if you're sensitive to blood and gore, this book may not be for you, but if you're looking for something a little more mature than mainstream fare, this may be what you're looking for.

Brian Michael Bendis, Powers: Legends (Marvel, 2005)

Powers has been an inconsistent series, and these days it's still inconsistent, but in a different way; certain aspects of the series have finally reached a point where they're consistently fantastic, while others are pretty consistently ludicrous.

Walker and Pilgrim are finally back together for what seems to be for good-- though nothing is assured in the world of Powers-- and the President as declared the use of powers to be illegal. As anyone with half a brain would expect, when you outlaw something, only those who would use it for evil still use it. Walker and Pilgrim are reduced to cleaning up the messes, for there's no real way to arrest a power any more, unless they screw up somehow-- until someone in a Retro Girl costume, with real powers, takes down a suspect Walker and Pilgrim are pursuing, raising the question: will good powers turn outlaw in order to return to fighting evil?

The parallel to today's "if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will own guns" argument is obvious, and as right as Bendis' take on this is, it's delivered with all the grace and subtlety of a dead fish to the belly. The clumsiness of the storyline delivery is doubly confusing when, after all this time, Bendis is finally starting to get all his ducks in a row; this is the first issue in which Pilgrim's character has seemed to actually be something consistent, for one.

It's decent, but frustration is beginning to take its toll. It needs to cohere, or Bendis and Oeming risk losing their fan base. ** ½

This is a restart for the Powers series. After the near cataclysmic events of the last arc of the story, the US government has cracked down on the use of powers, and it has become illegal. This applies to being used for good, or for ill.

Telling superpowered individuals what to do is one thing, stopping them is another. A Retro Girl lookalike appears, and Walker is shocked to discover who it is.

If you're a fan of graphic novels...this is a fantastic series. I recommend reading the TPB in order...I've read all of them so far and hope for more in the near future!

Definitely a must-have for all comic fans, especially 'Powers' collectors. If you don't already have this buy it! If you're a non 'Powers' fan buy this book, read it and splash out on all the other available trade paperbacks and then enjoy this book on a whole new level.