Customer Reviews

Squadron Supreme: Death of a Universe

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Squadron Supreme was Marvel's answer to the Justice League. After an incredible 12-issue mini-series (which is still available), this comic book was released as a follow-up to conclude the story line. This shorter graphic novel was incredibly powerful. The remaining members of the Squadron Supreme put their lives at stake to save their dying universe. It is an intense read. If you loved the Squadron Supreme, you must do everything you can to get your hands on this follow up story. I never cried so hard reading a comic book in my life! This is truly not to be missed.

Easily one of the greatest storylines next to Avengers Forever and the Storyline of Final Fantasy VIII in my opinion of course. Only one week after the failed Utopia Project, The Squadron Supreme is visited by a foe greater than Ultimecia and Immortus combined...The Nth Man. No not that pathetic Ninja named John Doe. Having consumed seven whole realities Thomas Lightner finds himself in The Squadron's Universe: Earth-S and continues his mad quest of hunger. The Squadron and their greatest foes head into space to attack Lightner. However things don't go as they planned when Lightner vanquishes Professor Imam, Inertia and even a version of Overmind from the future with but a thought and a little light show here and there. This epic showcases on how The Squadron must face this "Crisis from Infinite Earths" on a "Zero Hour" of Destruction and the pain they must deal with as all whom they know and love fall dead around them. This Graphic Novel set the course for the storyline presented in Avengers vol.3 #5-6 and The Squadron Supreme/Avengers Annual of 1998.

Mark Gruenwald's original 12-issue Squadron Supreme series featured Marvel's thinly-veiled Justice League of America attempting to build a Utopian society on the Earth of their native 712-Universe. In short, the results were disastrous, resulting in a super-powered bodycount rarely seen in comics. But man, what an exceptional story that was. It realized the true potential of the team (both the good and the bad), and it was completely worthy of being collected. This second trade, DEATH OF A UNIVERSE, collects various stories that unfortunately returned the Squadron to their prior status as mere JLA-wannabes. The first story, from Gruenwald's 1989 graphic novel Squadron Supreme: Death of a Universe, concludes with the team being banished back to Marvel's regular 616-Universe. This is followed by ignominious guest appearances in Thor #280, Avengers #5-6, and the Avengers/Squadron Supreme Annual '98... seriously, there's not much to get excited about there. The trade ends with Squadron Supreme: New World Order, which is really the only worthwhile story in the book, but as it can still be found in its original prestige format edition, just grab it on its own. NWO is a very good story that leaps back to yet ANOTHER parallel universe and amps up the DC Comics references, introducing many new characters and situations that I'd love to see expanded upon; unfortunately, as J. Michael Straczynski's lame version of the team has displaced Gruenwald's vision, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. This is an unnecessary collection slapped together to grab some extra cash from the fans of Gruenwald's Squadron, while Marvel trashes his legacy at the same time.