Customer Reviews

Supreme Power, Vol. 1

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Babylon 5 creator and Rising Stars scribe and current Amazing Spider-Man scribe J. Michael Stracyznski's re-imagining of Marvel's Squadren Supreme characters is an absolute sight to behold for comic fans, and this handsome hardcover collects the first 12 issues of Marvel's MAX title Supreme Power. Beginning with the mysterious arrival of a child not of this world, which thanks to the brainwashing of the US government is raised to become Hyperion: a being who looks human but has incredible super powers. Raised to believe in truth, justice, and most of all, the American way, Hyperion, AKA Mark Milton, finds himself at a cross roads, which leads to an inevitable confrontation between him and government superiors. But there are others like him as well, including a young man who can run at incredible speed, a soldier who has bonded with a crystal that arrived with Hyperion's ship which has made him into a living weapon, the racially motivated grim millionaire vigilante Nighthawk, a female humanoid that lives in the ocean, and a mysterious woman calling herself Zarda who has incredible power similar to Hyperion, and shares something else with him as well, and may possibly hold the key to his destiny. Strikingly mature in it's tone (not just because it's bloody and has it's share of cursing and nudity), J. Michael Stracyznski has really crafted something special here, and the art of penciler Gary Frank gives Supreme Power a unique and realistic look. By the time you reach the last page, it appears that a squadren is forming, and a super powered serial killer is on the loose, and by the time you've reached said page, you'll be salivating for more.

This is a decontruction of DC JLA for mature readers: there are explicit lenguage, nude bodies and murder. However, the central issue is the conflict between power and freedom, or in Marvel terms, between power and responsabilities. The characters are far from perfect: they are real. Hyperion (Superman) has doubts and he does not act as a boy scout. Nighthawk (Batman) is a violent vigilante victim of racism and a racist himself. Ledger (Green Lantern) is a military subordinated. The Princess (Wonder Woman) is beatiful but totally mad. Only the Blur (Flash) is apparently a honest person. Please, pay attention to the excellent dialogue between Hyperion y Blur in the sixth chapter (number).

Gary Frank nicely draws the story where the writer use a good trick: as in the real life, we never know what are thinking the characters. Therefore, we have to take a guess on the moral convictions of the characters.

I only hope three things (pay attention Marvel editors!):

(1)a second Hardcover collecting the numbers 13-18 plus the miniseries Hyperion, Nighthawk and Doctor Spectrum

(2)mature quality remains, due to this story will continue in the Marvel Knights collections as Squadron Supreme

(3)a planned ending: a good story needs an end. Although everybody knows that Planetary will finish sooner o later, the story is followed for the fans. In addition, the mythical power of Watchmen is its limited format

Did you enjoy The Authority? Then pick up this book right now.

I'd heard nothing but good things about this title so I decided to go out and get it. I am glad that I did.

Most comic book fans are familiar with the origin stories of iconic characters like Superman and Batman. Now imagine if those origins had occured in Marvel instead of DC. That's the basic premise for SUPREME POWER.

For people who would wonder what would be the big difference, what it comes down to is that Marvel tends to approach things more realistically (as realistically as super-hero stories can go). Superman, for example, is loved and adored by the public in the DC continuity, while in Marvel someone like Spider-Man is often seen through suspicious eyes and often considered by the general public to be the same as the criminals that he tries to apprehend.

SUPREME POWER is scripted by J. Michael Straczynski, who is more than a capable writer. I became a fan of his through his RISING STARS series, which is a completely new look at super-powered people. That series got off to an amazing start but towards the end of the run was bogged down by lackluster art. Art wasn't the issue on the next thing I read by JMS, MIDNIGHT NATION. I'm not as high on that series, but a lot of that may have to do with the fact that much of it still goes over my head. The art on that series was gorgeously penciled by Gary Frank.

Mr. Frank reunites with JMS on SUPREME POWER. I've been a fan of Frank since I first saw his work on INCREDIBLE HULK in the mid 90s. Since then, I've loved his work on SUPERGIRL, GEN 13 and BIRDS OF PREY. However, I think he's doing the best work of his career with this current title. His art brings to life the world that JMS has in his mind.

For all intents and purposes, SUPREME POWER is an Ultimate title, meaning characters who existed in the normal Marvel Universe are given a completely fresh start in a brand new world. However, it is published under the MAX line for two very important reasons: 1) it allows JMS to create a world from scratch without pre-existing super powered beings, similar to what he was able to do with RISING STARS and; 2) it allows for a far wider range of creativity than that which is normally found in comic books. Be warned, the content found titles in the MAX line are usually akin to what you would find in an R-rated movie.

SUPREME POWER is a great title and the creative team may very well be putting out the best comic book on the market today.

The artwork and storyline exposition is clearly a cut above ("mature" often helps in that way-no constraints). Since the author and the house both have connections to the film industry, I would recommend that they use their influence to oh, I don't know... (I could see myself sitting through such a movie... or two... or ;) )

This is a great buy, well worth the money. This book is like many other series putting out harcover compilations of TPBs. Encompassing the first two paperbacks of Supreme Power, it's a whole lot of bang for your buck in terms of length, and is a great story to boot. My only wish/hope is that they continue to do the same for the 3rd & 4th TPB, putting it into a volume 2.

Sidenote: other books given the same treatment include:

Powers (at least the first few TPBs in volume 1, also excellent buy)

Punisher Max

Alias

Walking Dead

These are all great buys, and if you're short on cash, you really get your money's worth with Supreme Power, Powers, and Alias

Supreme Power Is easily one of the best comics i have ever read. It is basically about what would happen if characters similar to those in the DC universe (Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Aquaman) Really existed. It also keeps in mind the Idea that If Power Corrupts, then what would having Absolute Power Do to someone? The book blends the real history of the last 20 years or so with the story of these new "super humans" in a very believable and mature fashion. In a lot of ways this book can be looked at as the dark side of a world with super heroes. This doesn't necessarily mean that the heroes themselves are dark characters but their effect on the world can have many consequences.

To give you an idea, just imagine if someone created in their basement a superweapon capable of trumping almost any other weapon on earth. Do you think the government would just say "good for you, you use that however you think is best for America, and we won't really bother you unless we are calling for help"? Kind of an unlikely scenario. Now imagine if someone WAS that superweapon. What do you think would really happen? That is the train of thought this book follows and I have to say it is awesome.

In addition to the awesome Plot I have to say that the book is also very well drawn, written, an paced. Being published under the Marvel MAX label gave the authors the freedom to use the full range of Mature content (swearing, graphic violence, and nudity) and they have done an excellent job of making it serve the story. The result is a graphic, but still very mature story that is unlike anything you have seen before.

A terrific re-imagining of the Squadron Supreme. Very modern and sometimes gritty, this is Straczynski at his best. If you enjoyed Rising Stars, then pick this one up, this is every bit as good. The artwork by Frank is also some of his best. This is a can't miss.

This is an example of how all super-hero comics should be written. If you are not a fan of the Squadron, no problem. This is after all Marvel's very transparent version of the JLA!!!

What happens when the American government get their hands on an all-powerful being as a baby (Mark Milton) and raise him to their specifications behind closed doors? To the backdrop of several presidential administrations we see him become a young man and begin to understand his powers, but is he really the only one? ("Mark there is no one on this earth quite like you") or are the mysterious goings on a product of a similar arrival? J Michael Straczynskis story-telling and Gary Franks art make this one not to miss. A thoroughly enthralling read and delicious artwork to boot.

I have to admit that I was not really looking forward to this book. I do not care for super hero type stories and try to stay away from them completely. Some friends insisted I read this so I picked up the first volume expecting it to be pretty terrible. Thankfully the quality of this book is excellent. The writing and art are amazing and the book is just put together well. I read the whole thing in one sitting and put it down just to eat.

The Art:
There are a few places where some characters look a little weird for some reason. When Hyperion goes to school the faces look a little sloppy but overall it's beautifully illustrated.

The Writing:
The best part of the whole thing is the writing. It's just a fun read and you get attached to the characters. The whole time you want to know what's going to happen next. Not because of the events occurring but because you feel some connection to the characters and the lives they lead.

The Story:
The story is great but as another reviewer said it just goes nowhere. The entire book is an origin story for all of the characters but nothing really happens. At the end I felt like I was listening to this great story building up to something huge and then the storyteller just says, "And then I jumped in the car and drove home." There is no real plot for anyone but Hyperion and so there is no end. And anything that could have been plot ends so quickly that you just kind of go, "eh," and read on. If you watch the show surface it feels like that show felt when it ended. I know there is another book and all but you'll understand when you read it. I think it would have been better to dedicate a story to each character separately.

Quality:
Everything about this book is top notch. As I flipped through I almost felt bad because I could mess up the pages. The art just flies off the pages and the book just feels well made.

Overall:
Definitely worth reading. It's a more fun and modern Watchmen.