Customer Reviews

Powers, Vol. 9: Psychotic (v. 9)

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

 

 

Reading a new collection of "Powers" stories is like when a new season of "The Sopranos" comes out on DVD... It's so good, so well-written and so well-paced... and it flies by so damn fast! I zoomed through this book in a day, and was so bummed when it was done... Can't wait for the next book to come out.

"Powers" is a cop's-eye view of the world of superheros and supervillains; sure, they can zap the city into rubble, but somebody has to clean up the mess... and file the paperwork. In this volume, Det. Deena Pilgrim grapples with her newly developed superpowers... which, so far, only she knows about. Some more history about the super-community, and Deena's introduction to the police force. But where that is all heading seems very much up in the air right now! If you've been following the story this far, you'll be on the edge of your seat all the way through this one. Another winner from Bendis and Oeming. [©2006 joesixpack at slipcue dot com]

When I was first thinking about reviewing this book, I was going to give it a 2 or 3 star dismissal. I liked it well enough but there was a lot of gratuitous fights and profanity and it seemed rather cute for the sake of being cute. I thought that the ending was a bit of a disappointment and the conceit of having angry internet posters debating the death of a character a little too much like Watchmen.

But when I read the interview, I realized how much this story was part of a larger whole. I appreciated the way it worked on its own and how Bendis and Oeming were creating a world storyline in which the role of heroes is strained. Using heroes as a metaphor for rock stars is rather brilliant.

I also like the way the art goes between really cartoonish and noir. I also like the way Oeming purposefully makes the superheroes look like Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing (Marshal Law (Graphic Novels)). It seems light at first but then it gets very addictive.

Having read the last 8 volumes, this one continues on in the same great style. Bendis writes this book so well. The art is up to the same great quality and style as the other books. The story continues developing the same great characters. If you've read the others, you'll be happy with this one.

"Powers" looks at super-beings from the viewpoint of the police officers who have to deal with them. How do "normal" detectives track down, encounter and arrest people who have super-powers? In this volume, the problem is even more complicated: a former superhero has sold his costume and the source of his abilities on eBay, and the new owner is using them to commit murders!

Brian Michael Bendis is a fresh voice among writers, and tells a captivating tale in the "Powers" series. "Psychotic" may be the best volume yet. Highly recommended.

I do like almost every comic Bendis has writen, but for sure this is the most complex and the best joining superhero fiction with detective stories. By reading just the first you are bound to read the every single one and wait eagering the next issue.

There is other like Powers

A definite twist in the tale, as things begin to go haywire for Deena. A nutso superhero with Superman level Powers has caused very very bad things to happen, and the government has cracked down severely on Powers, much more so than before. Of course, when that happens, guess what happens to Walker and Deena. Nothing is ever going to be too easy for them.

Powers as a series waned pretty fast. Just couldn't maintain the momentum. Bit of a lost opportunity. Then again, maybe there just wasn't all that much life in the concept.