SUPREME POWER #7 REVIEW

[Michael Fisch]

Reviewed By: Michael C. Fisch, michaelcfisch@hotmail.com
Quick Review: Great!
Story Title: Powers And Principalities

The introduction of Amphibian, and Hyperion discovers he's being duped!

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy's Rus Wooten
Editor: Nick Lowe
Story Editor: Joe Quesada
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

I must admit, I came into this issue with some trepidition. You see, having been a fan of the Squadron Supreme (the 80s series this book is based upon for those not in the know), I became fond of those characters. One of my favorites was Amphibian, the tempermental aquatic Aquaman clone. Oh, and he was male.

No longer. When I learned that Straczynski was making Amphibian a female, my first reaction was, "Why? " Is it really necessary to mess with success in such a way? The biggest complaint I have whenever someone updates an old liscence is the creative liberties taken with the characters. There have been many examples of revivals that have fallen on their face because the current writers think they can do better than before, forgetting what it was that made those stories so special. And up to this point, J. Michael Straczynski has treated these characters with the respect they deserve while still contemporizing them for today's readers. Until this. Now, I have noticed the lack of females in this title so far, but we've yet to see characters from the original series like Arcanna, Lady Lark, Ape X, Foxfire, and we've only had the smallest hint of Princess Power. Not to mention that I loved Amphibian's design in the Supreme Power #1 Special Edition. It's with this in mind that I came in ready to hate Amphibian.

Boy was I wrong. Because the Amphibian that J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank presents wouldn't have worked as a male. When last we saw her, she was a baby who's mother drowned herself along with her. Now, she's older and has apparently been raised below the depths of the ocean. She's naive, gentle, and an encounter with a diver flashes back to her only memory of her mother. And all this belies a viscious streak that must have been necessary to survive in such a hostile environment. Not only is Gary Frank's design so exoticly beautiful and eerie at the same time, but Straczynski puts such innocence into her character that when her mean streak shows, it is a huge shock to us. It wouldn't have been as effective if she was a he, and my hat's off to the creative team for having the courage to make such a change. It's unexpected and exciting...and makes her sequence one of the highlights of a stunning issue.

And there is a lot more to this issue. Having wrapped up The Hyperion Project story arc last issue, we now start a new phase in young Mark Milton's life. He's starting to chafe under the watcful eye of our government, and at the same time the govenrnment is reevaluating his purpose. It's kind of a cliche when a new agent is brought in and shakes up the status quo for the worse, as the character of Mr. Bryce does this issue. It's the only part of the story that I thought could have been better, but it does serve as a catalyst to Hyperion's discontent. It seems that our government has been using Hyperion as a decoy to perform some undercover operations. When Hyperion learns of this he takes matters into his own hands, and sets up a climax for next issue that promises the great battle scene that we've been waiting for.

A theme in Straczynski's writing is the use of analogies to prove a point. Last issue was the use of border collies, and this issue we have chess, suggesting that Hyperion is a pawn for the government and the same government is manipulating all sides of the board. It's a storytelling technique that demands patience from the reader as all the peices come together and his analogy sets in. I find it to be an enlightening contrast to the high aciton, fast paced comics we're used to.

Not that there isn't any criticisms to be had in this issue. (What kind of reviewer would I be if there weren't?) Pretty glaring was the omission of Blur and Nighthawk, considering the leaps that were made to include them in Hyperion's life last issue. And we still haven't seen any more of Power Princess. It's this lack of consistency that hurts the series more than anything. Also lacking was Straczynski's humor this time around. Usually there are at least a few laugh out loud moments in each issue, but the tone was serious all the way through this issue. Though the visual of the talk radio host was great.

Gary Frank proves himself to be as much a gifted storyteller through his art as Straczynski does through his words. Not only does he have the ability to draw beautiful people and action scenes, which he does, but likewise he injects subtleties into his art at appropriate times that propel the story in ways that wouldn't be as effective under a lesser artist. Notice the way Hyperion keeps his power and temper barely in check as he smolders his chair while talking to Bryce. Marvel at the transformation in Amphibian's expression as she goes from curiosity to bewilderment to rage, all the while keeping her exotic beauty in check. Shudder at the errie effect Hypeirion's X-Ray vision manifests itself--in the darks and shadows he looks downright scary. Chris Sotomayor's colors accentuate Frank's pictures perfectly, especially in these X-Ray scenes. The final splash page in particular is a pefect gel of great pencilling and great coloring.

So, once again, a spectacular issue from Straczynski and Frank. And a cliffhanger that promises another great issue next month. I can't wait.

ART:


STORY:


OVERALL:



Buy this issue online now from X-WORLD and save!

[Michael Clarke]

FIRST POST and i'm going to check this issue out, soley on this review. Great Stuff

[Tan K.]

I pretty much dropped this series. Wasn't bad, but it ended up becoming an Ultimized brand of Squadron Supreme, which to me had little relavency in the main MU. It was a good story, but nothing to drop my jaw.

[Toga]

I love this series, I never read SS in the 80's as i was only like 7 or 8 when it came out. I just like the realism of this series and how human it is with charcters who arn't even human. and gary frank, well, his art and story telling is "supreme"...sorry.

This isue was great, and so was the reviw, i actually laughed out loud when the chinese soilders jumped on Mark and he just batted them off. good stuff.

Oh and if hyperion held back on the speed what else did he hold back on??

[Kevin Sutton]

Definately a great issue. Much to look forward to next issue. I loved the scene in China.

[Dylan McKay]

Originally posted by Tan K.
I pretty much dropped this series. Wasn't bad, but it ended up becoming an Ultimized brand of Squadron Supreme, which to me had little relavency in the main MU. It was a good story, but nothing to drop my jaw.

:O :O :O

To me it is the epitome of all that a comic can be. The only I've ever read that gets this much out of the medium is "The Watchmen." The last issue was a stunning masterpiece and I'm eagerly waiting to get this.

To me the key is forget the original Squadron Supreme ever existed. Engoy JMS and Frank's work for the pure genius that it is.

[Cannonball1138]

Supreme Power is now my favorite current series. I love the way Mark is slowly beginning to rebel against the government, and Gary Frank's art is nothing short of excellent. Amphibian was hauntingly beautiful, with a perfectly drawn innocence. To anyone who is unsure, BUY THIS BOOK. If you're not satsified...well I won't give you money, but you can complain to me. :p

[Gat0r-ManX]

As a new comic book reader.. reading this series was so much fun. it's like a twisted JLA... i picked JLA because i have never seen the squadron supreme.. (ever!)

That said, I like this series so far. I wanna see how messed up things are going to get. And the end of this issue makes me anticipate the next issue even more.

[Soto]

Originally posted by Gat0r-ManX
I wanna see how messed up things are going to get. And the end of this issue makes me anticipate the next issue even more.

Just wait...
#8 is huge. Can you even imagine the impact that these 2 will unleash when locked in battle?
Next issue is going to set a new standard for the "big comic fight".

-Soto

[Alex Guillen]

well this issue was very good. JMS and Frank are developing soem great characters using the original SS memebers as springboards mainly and this issue was so good, amphibian is such a sad character but then again every character has had soem sadness in their life either way.

[Dylan McKay]

It's amazing to think that this a superhero comic and it won't be until issue 8 that we get a superhero slugfest.

Another brilliant issue. I'll have to re-read it, but not quite as good as 6. I'm more intrigued by Amphibian than I am liking her at this point, but Mark is one of my favourite characters, period.

[Zeb Aslam]

I actually read the entire Squadron Supreme series when it was traded a few years ago. Back then I thought it was an interesting experiment, but nothing special so I was very unsure about this book. Until issue 6...This book is excellent and it's a pleasure to see Gary Frank's art in a monthly book again. I do think that maybe we're moving a little slowly, but it's no big thing as I'm enjoying this book immensely nonetheless. I look forward to more on Amphibian and Power Princess as thus far this book is too much of a boy's only club...either way, can't wait to see what comes next.

[Your Momma!]

I am so digging Supreme. I loved Midnight Nation too. JMS is great!!

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

i never expected to enjoy this as much as i am. when i first heard about it, i was like "oh yeah, more deconstructionist superheroes...and from the guy who brought us Rising Stars. Yawn. He's just riffing on himself now." Nothing could be farther from the truth. Rising Stars was a rough draft written in college compared to this gorgeous product. The first Squadron Supreme mini series had a great concept, but the execution left something to be desired. Mark Gruenwald was absolutely brilliant and imaginative, but i don't necessarily think he had the writing chops to really see his vision all the way through. Supreme Power has picked up that ball and run with it. and ain't nobody been stopping its rushes into the end zone ("take two metaphors, mix well, stir and serve" ). there's such a moral and psychological ambiguity and complexity at work here...a very sobering tale, but at the same time never loses its sense of wonder. And really...we're still just in the first act.

[LordofDreams]

this issue was good enough, but it was the last page that got it for me. The text was some of the wittest I have read in years, but all in all, it was a building issue. I cant wait for the next one!

i havent seen the sketch book (i know shame on me) ... does anyone know where i can see any of the pics on the net. .. im a big fan of gary franks art ...unfortunately i only just found 'supreme power' in my local comic shop (moved to switzerland) AND THERE ARE NO BACK COPIES HERE but what i've read is great. loved midnight nation and this has a similar epic feel to it. i love it ... never read the original squadron supreme, but this incarnation is excellent.

so any one got any pics of the sketchbook?

thanks

[Michael Fisch]

Next month the trade paperback of issues 1-6 goes on sale...I highly recommend picking it up (perfect opportunity for shameless plug...order it from X-World and save!).

Don't know if the sketchbook will be a part of it or not.

[viper7xl]

another great issue.