Comic Info
Comic Name: Powers (Volume 1)
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
# of Issues: 4
Release Date: 2001
Reprints Powers (1) #8-11 (December 2000-May 2001). Pilgrim and Walker are on the case of another superhuman murder. A student dressed as Walker’s former identity of Diamond has revealed a series of roleplayers that dress as their favorite outlawed heroes. When it was revealed that a real superhuman is hunting the roleplayers, Pilgrim and Walker must find the killer before more kids die. Plus, the city is rocked by the murder of a major criminal…but who is responsible?
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming, Powers Volume 2: Roleplay collects issues #8-11 but skips the stand-alone “ride-along” issue Powers (1) #7 (November 2000) which is collected in the third volume. Following Powers Volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl?, the series continued to garner praise.
I am often critical of Brian Michael Bendis, but I can’t be critical of Powers. Powers is where I first really discovered Bendis and learned to like him (before falling out with him over The Avengers, New Avengers, and other titles). Powers, however, is Bendis at his best.
I generally find creator owned comics are often the best. I imaging comics like Powers have mulled in the head of their creators for a while, and the stories hopefully have developed into something great. Powers 2: Roleplay continue to show how Powers can take a detective story and switch it around.
The big event in Powers is treated as a secondary event. The murder of Johnny Royale is what changes the series. With Royale’s death comes suspicion, and it creates a silent wedge between Pilgrim and Walker. This division eventually comes to a head but it creates a crack in their partnership that changes things…I love that it isn’t the thrust of the story, but something almost casually mentioned.
I also love Michael Avon Oeming’s stylized art. The use of light and dark gives the story a noire crime thriller feel, but despite the cartoony appearance of the characters, they carry real weight and dimension.
Powers is a great series. With slick storytelling and stylish art, the comic is one of the most interesting looks at superheroes and the people that exist in their world. With a fun mystery/cop drama tied in to the story, Powers is a winner and this volume’s cliffhanger will leave you scrambling to pick up the next collection (though you should not expect immediate resolution). Powers 2: Roleplay is followed by Powers 3: Little Deaths.
Preceded By:
Powers 1: Who Killed Retro Girl?
Followed By: