Customer Reviews

Squadron Supreme

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

 

 

Once upon a time, there was a superhero team that decided fighting crime wasn't enough. They finally realized that, if they really wanted to make a difference, they'd have to combat the ills of society, things like war, poverty, famine and disease. So they took over and started going about rebuilding society from the ground up, trying to turn their world into a utopia.

If the concept sounds vaguely familiar, it should. For years superhero comics have been exploring such moral questions as these, all the way back to the famous story "Must There Be A Superman?" In that tale, the man of steel wrestles with the fact that by doing so much to help society he might actually be holding them back from striving and succeeding on their own. In the end Superman decides that he will help the people of Earth with problems beyond their means like earthquakes and supervillains, but for the rest of it we were on our own.

Not so in the 1985 Marvel maxi-series Squadron Supreme. In this book, the heroes decide that we humans need someone to make decisions for us. So they usurp the government's power, take over America, and start fixing things the way they see fit. Now that description of the book makes it seem like these heroes are bad guys, but they're not. They're good people, heroes with the best of intentions. But you know what they say about the road to hell, right?

Pretty quickly one of the heroes speaks out against the rest of his team. He objects to the ideas of these heroes, stating that by taking control away from the common man, they are trampling on all the freedoms America stands for. But this hero is voted down by the rest, who say that a few of the individual's rights lost are nothing in the face of what will be gained by society as a whole. So this hero resigns from the team and starts planning a way to show the Squadron Supreme the error of their ways. And that hero is Batman.

Well, actually it's Nighthawk, but it might as well be Batman. It is well-documented that writer Mark Gruenwald was a huge fan of the Justice League and that, when he created the Squadron Supreme at Marvel, he was openly aping the DC team so he could play with the other company's toys in his own backyard. Even reading the names of some of these heroes you can see obvious parallels. Hyperion, Power Princess, Amphibian, Whizzer, Dr. Spectrum-the list goes on and on.

But Gruenwald takes the characters and makes them his own, drawing on the archetypes we're familiar with and taking their personalities to the inevitable conclusion. Each character stands out from the creation they were originally carbon-copied from. Golden Archer's obsessive love for Lady Lark stretches into darker corners than Ollie and Dinah's relationship ever did, and Nuke's youthful impetuousness is at times incredibly destructive, a far cry from Firestorm over in the JLA.

Apart from making the characters his own, Gruenwald similarly pulled no punches with the plot and showed that even the actions of superheroes have very real consequences. This story is mired in tragedy and heartbreak; as the story unfolds over the course of a year in this utopia, members of the Squadron Supreme quit the team, are forced out, and even die. The inevitable conclusion to the story is very much a predecessor to the widescreen action style we see in comics of today, yet its violence is not sensationalized or especially bloody. Characters are killed in horrific ways in this melee, not just for a cool fight scene but for a logical purpose, to drive the theme of the story home for the reader.

Dozens of stories since 1985 have taken this idea and run with it, and I freely admit that those books, books like Kingdom Come or The Authority, did the concept a bit better than Squadron Supreme does. The art here is uneven and juvenile at times; the dialogue is similarly a bit cheesy, as characters break into long speeches to debate the larger moral issues behind their actions without a hint of subtlety. But still this work is groundbreaking and many stories of today owe Squadron Supreme a great debt of gratitude. For this reason, and for many others, this book is worth your attention.

Unfortunately this graphic novel has never received the credit it so deserves to its initial release coming at almost the same time as Watchmen's. But with the new series Supreme Power by J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank on its way in August (supposedly set in the same universe and involving the same characters), now this story might finally be recognized for the paradigm-shattering masterpiece that it truly is.

The late Mark Gruenwald was well known at Marvel Comics for his writing and editor positions (and lesser known for the occasional artwork he drew). Among his BEST works was Marvel's "Squadron Supreme." Originally established as a team of villains from a mirror universe (who occasionally guest starred in "The Avengers" and "Thor" in the 1970s) the Squadron Supreme were knock-offs of rival DC Comics's Justice League. Hyperion=Superman, Whizzer=Flash, Lady Lark=Black Canary, Nighthawk=Batman, etc. In the 1980s, writer J.M. DeMatteis wrote an intriguing storyline in "The Defenders" which brought back the Squadron Supreme. This time, the team featured additional members (borrowing again from some of the "Justice League" characters and adding a sense of warped nostalgia for comics fans). Following the success of their appearance, Gruenwald and Co. launched a 12-part mini-series which focused on the plight of the post-"Defenders" appearance Squadron Supreme. The mini-series was *outstanding*. The characters were given more depth and background. Subplots and mysteries abounded. Artist Paul Ryan blossomed into a mainstream artist with his pencilling work (and let's not forget Bob Hall's contributions). From issue #1 through #12 of this limited series, you wanted the Squadron Supreme to have a permanent place on the comic book store shelves. The stories were VERY well-done. And ironically, DC Comics's effort with its "Justice League" comic (at the time) paled in comparison to "Squadron Supreme." If you're a long time Marvel fan--even a DC Comics fan--take the time to purchase this compilation of issues #1-12 of the Squadron Supreme mini-series. It is a strong testament to why Mark Gruenwald is sorely missed in the world of comics. Rest in Peace, Mark.

When this series was originally released, I didn't give it much attention and wrote it off in 4 issues. I saw it as a pale parody of the Justice League of America, and I only focused on my theory that Marvel was trying to copy DC's greatest heroes. After reading Waid and Ross' Kingdom Come years later and hearing the references to Mark Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme, however, it all came together. I had to buy the collected edition.

Reading the Squadron Supreme storyline all at once, it's amazing that this was a sleeper. It may have been due to several factors, ones which led me to give this book 4 stars: the varying quality of the art (all of it good, but some much better), the cheesy Stan Lee-styled dialogue (sometimes hilariously so), or the outrageous melodrama (too many upstanding heroes wearing their emotions on their sleeves). Whatever the case, the overall storyline is exceptional, and Mark Gruenwald deserves much more attention for this story than he gets. There are WAY too many similarities between SS and KC, and I can't continue to give KC the fanatical praise I once did - Gruenwald did it first.

This is a fairly realistic treatment of a pseudo-JLA, showing what might happen to the world if a group with that kind of power existed. For all the potential that the real JLA has, they're held back by history, popular culture, and the editor's fear of alienating fans. Squadron Supreme has no such boundaries, and the result is a real treat. Don't waste your time reading (or more appropriately "looking at") The Authority. This is the way to go.

This graphic novel reprints the amazing epic comics written by Mark Gruenwald. The `Squadron Supreme' was a group of unknown heroes I've never heard of before this book. But it made the reading even more exciting by figuring out who everyone is, what they think, and how they get along with each other.

The members of the `Squadron Supreme' decide to create a utopia for mankind. This idea slowly divides the team against each other. At first they do good by getting food for the hungry and finding job opportunities for the out-of-work. However their deeds become more and more controversial, albeit well-meaning, such as banning guns and criminal reform via mind altering.

The story progresses to a final deadly conflict. In the end you question to what limit your own morals extend. ... This is highly recommended for comic book fans. A must-read for those who enjoyed `Marvels' and `Kingdom Come'.

I recently bought and read the collection after having read the original limited series back in the 1980s. The late Mr. Gruenwald's storytelling skills and love for the old JLA series continue to shine. I loved some of MG's takes on the classic heroes. How would Superman change his outlook if he abandoned his Clark Kent persona? How would the Golden Age Wonder Woman act if she outlived Steve Trevor and lost her Amazon homeland? Would Batman be more effective on the streets or the White House? We see all kinds of fantastic technology in comics, but what would happen if it was unleashed on the real world? Before Kingdom Come, he had the courage to present the ramifications of great power taking on greater responsibility at the expense of free will. Unlike KC, SS does not get bogged down in dark tones and endless fights, while it still allows the reader to empathize, as well as root for, the Squadron even though they have gone beyond their lawful duty. One wonders what comics would have looked like today if Squadron Supreme had been the big influence instead of Watchmen.

I've had this story for at least a year now, and I was aware of it when it was first released in 1985/86, but I just got done reading it. I'm glad I waited. As some other reviewers pointed out, the artwork is only average at best, except for some covers inked by Bob Layton and Issue #7 drawn by the late, great John Buscema. Some of the sequences are over the top with emotion, clumsy, even unintentionally funny. A few scenes may even be considered politically incorrect these days, as for even an 80's Marvel comic, it has some strong 60's/70's sensibilities.

The story's the saving grace here though. I'll admit, being used to today's comics, this can be a tough read: much more dialog per page, more exposition (there are even some scenes where heroes are captured and tell the villians everything, even personal feelings for their teammates), fewer "twists", and at first glance, it just looks like Marvel trying to ape DC's most famous super-team. It's worth it to read it in it's entirety. Today's reader will be rewarded with themes and conflicts that were used more recently in not only Kingdom Come and the Authority, but OMAC/Infinite Crisis, Identity Crisis, and Civil War. Even 52's "real time" formula was first used here, as this 12 issue series takes place over the course of twelve months in this alternate Earth.

Mark Gruenwald has done some great work here. I'll admit, I wasn't crazy about some of his Captain America stories, but I may have to reevaulate that now. In addition, this series also crosses over into Cap #314, also written by Gruenwald. You will need to find that in the back issue box of your local comics shop to get the whole story, but it's not essential, as a recap is provided here.

Other reviews have mostly summed it up. This story is superb. Mr. Gruenwald is underappreciated genuis. It's unfortunate he, and the Squadron, haven't been appreciated sooner. And, that Mr. Gruenwald didn't get to see his most cherished creation enjoy the recognition and popularity it deserves. The exciting and innovative concepts and ground-breaking devices aside, I enjoyed the heck out of the Hyperion character. With Superman being one of the premier characters of the superhero genre, and practically a pop-culture institution today, it seems odd that unlike other hit characters, he has never seriously been emulated. But it is that very popularity that prevented it. He is so recognizable, writers were just too afraid of being "copycats". Leave it to Gruenwald to have the courage to create his own version of a classic(as well as the rest of JLA), and instill it with it's own identity, and his own unique vision. Not unlike an "ElseWorlds" story, there is much familiar, and much strikingly different. Powers and origin parallel. But Hyperion, like the other Squadron characters, has his own unique quirks, hang-ups, dreams, and ambitions. The story takes the "What-If?" concept to extremes. Fans of Superman and/or JLA should love this, as will any fans of good comic story telling. Don't pass on this one, if you miss it the second time, you may regret it.

In the 70s writers from DC and Marvel arranged a stealth team up between the Justice League and the Avengers. Each writer created a thinly-veiled version of the other company's team. The Squadron Supreme was Marvel's answer to the JLA, after the initial story they reappeared from time to time as obvious foils for Marvel's heroes. But in 1985 writer Mark Gruenwald took them to the next level, using their status as an off-brand JLA to tell a story DC would never allow. What if superheroes took over the world?

The book starts with the world in chaos, after the Squadron foiled an attempt to rule the world governments collapsed, people are starving and civilization is on the verge of collapse. With no other option they decide to take over the world (America at least) to save it.

This is a story that's been done several times in many comics but this is by far the best one. Readers never feel like the Squadron have turned evil. Every step they take is believable and makes sense. First they distribute food. Then they develop Behavior Modification technology to reform criminals. They have problems but cover them up to maintain people's confidence. And when things finally fall apart it's hard to tell who the heroes really were. All the time Gruenwald manages to balance heroism with mistakes, hope with despair and humor with darkness.

This really is a mature piece of writing. The art by John Buscema, Bob Hall, Paul Ryan and an issue of Captain America by Paul Neary is very good throughout the book. None of them are superstars but all of them turn in great work.

This is one of the classic books of the 80s and belongs on everyone's shelf. Gruenwald was justly proud of his work. How proud? At his request after he died his ashes were mixed into the first printing of this book. The book is filled with essays by other comic writers about Gruenwald's life making this a fitting tribute to the writer. If DC had printed it, Squadron Supreme would be one of the best JLA and Superman stories ever printed. Highly recommended.

(I should preface this review by stating that I purchased this elsewhere for a much more reasonable price, so my review is purely about the comic and not the value.)

This book has gotten a lot of mixed reviews, but most of them miss the point. Yes, the characters are shameless rip-offs of the justice league. But this book is not a character study--any expendable heroes would have worked. Yes, the dialog is corny. But keep in mind that this was before Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Corny dialogue in superhero books was the gold standard. Yes, the art is all over the place. But art will always be secondary to the story, which is the real merit of this comic.

This is one of the first (if not THE first) books to explore what would happen if superheroes used their powers to combat the real problems in our society (instead of just battling crazy super-villains all day). Real problems like war, crime, poverty, hunger, disease, pollution, the economy, etc. It also examines the relationship between choice and morality, pretty heavy stuff for an 80's superhero comic (think A Clockwork Orange but with super-villains).

The twist is that these heroes don't just sit in a lab or run for office--they effectively take over the entire globe in an effort to bring about a forced utopia, much to the horror of the populace. This story is also one of the first to take place in real time: the squadron declares they will bring about utopia within a year, and each issue comprises approximately one month. And I don't want to spoil anything, but this book probably set a record for super-hero body counts (one of the many benefits of working with spin-off characters, as opposed to the real thing).

It's far from perfect, but make no mistake--this is an important piece of comic history.

(And regardless of your opinion of this book, I would still highly recommend the 2003 prequel/re-imagining titled Supreme Power (MAX). It lacks the cheesy dialogue and one-dimensional characterizations and features spectacular art courtesy of Gary Frank.)

If any book could claim to trump Watchmen's role in this particular sub-genre, it would be Squadron Supreme.

Squadron was published in 1986, reputedly as a parody of DC's popular "Justice League" - including analogues of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Instead, Gruenwald turned it into much, much more.

For the good of humanity, the Squadron Supreme wind up taking control of their version of Earth. Despite their noble intentions, things go horribly horribly wrong. Touching on serious issues, but in a very four-color way, this never had quite the impact or the gritty tone of Watchmen, but certainly had the ambition.

Squadron Supreme has been revived in the past few years, but that's long after the fact - Gruenwald was ahead of his time.