In Straczynskis new reworking of the classic Squadron Supreme characters, he achieves a higher level of quality than the original series ever had in one of Marvels best new series. This serious, grounded tale tells the story of serval extraordinary individuals as they realize that they are different from everyone else and how they attempt to use their new abilities. Straczynski really acheives some of his finest work in comics here (in addition to "Rising Stars") in a very dark and grounded story without some of the cornball dialogue found in his "Amazing Spider-Man." The pacing of the story is very slow, but is ultimately neccessary for establishing the setting and characters; some characters are only hinted at in these pages and allude to the next story arc.
Just as strong--if not stronger than--the writing is Gary Franks superb artwork and Chris Sotomayors great color work. Franks pencils are very realistic and lifelike for portraying the many characters as well as the real-life figures of former presidents. Sotomayors colors are very good for conveying the mature theme of the story by using a dark palette as well as using very vibrant colors for other scenes.
Marvel and Straczynski have created one of the best new superhero series in awhile. Now it will be interesting to see if the creators can acheive the same level of quality on subsequent story arcs as they have on this great one.
NOTE: Please keep in mind that this is a Marvel Max book and is suggested for older readers due to violence and language (the comic book equivalent of an R-rated or PG-13 movie).
The original Squadron Supreme, invented by Avengers writer Roy Thomas in the 60s, was intended to be a pastiche of the Justice League of America. Each character in Marvel Comics Squadron Supreme was an analog of DC Comics Justice League characters. Hyperion is the analog of Superman, Nighthawk of Batman, Power Princess of Wonder Woman, etc. The main point of the exercise was to enable Marvels greatest team to do battle with DCs without flouting any copyright laws and to have a little fun with the fans.J. Michael Straczynskis Supreme Power is also a look at the super-hero icons of DC but through a different colored glass. Supreme Power examines how events might really unfold were DCs heroes to have appeared in our world. An alien infant lands on Earth, exhibiting extraordinary powers. Military and political officials fear him, so they seek to control him. A youth sees his parents slain before his eyes and so becomes a vigilante, stalking the streets at night hunting criminals. Another man develops the ability to travel as super speed and so on.
The story starts from the point of view of protagonist, Mark Milton (a.k.a., Hyperion), an alien who crashes on Earth as an infant and whose power the military establishment both fears and hopes to exploit. They fill his head with American propaganda in the hope that theyll brainwash him into the Great American Hero: truth, justice and the American way. But when he matures, he becomes wary of their control and suspicious of their motives. As the story branches out, were introduced to the other cast members, each of them with their own reasons for becoming a "hero" and many of them not so pure.
In DCs somewhat utopian world, these heroes are revered and honored for the most part. But a more cynical view would be that it wouldnt quite be that simple. We have a tendency to revere and revile our heroes at the same time. While we admire and honor them, we also seek to tear them down and destroy them out of fear, jealousy and other base emotions. The story is as old as time. Just ask Julius Caesar how we treat our honored heroes. Look at the heroes of Ancient Greece and the rather unseemly way so many of them fell from grace.
Supreme Power is an exciting, page-turning look at heroism and just what the world at large really thinks about having someone who could save your life one day or vaporize you with a glance in the next. In the tradition of DCs Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, Supreme Power takes a smart and decidedly adult look at hero and super-hero.
