Powers #27
Writer - Brian Michael Bendis
Artist - Michael Avon Oeming
Colors - Nick Filardi
Letterer - Chris Eliopoulos
Icon - $3.95
I didn't want to do it. I really didn't. I left Powers as my last book, because it's usually the best thing I read, and the one I'm most looking forward to. Just before that, I read (yet another) superb issue of Captain America, and thought, "oh man, we can't pick that one again," and then what are the chances that Powers would be fantastic for the third issue in a row? In fact, I think it's a crime of scheduling that both Captain America and Powers come out in the same week. It doesn't really give other books much of a fighting chance. I read a really great issue of Hellblazer written by Andy Diggle, and a really fun issue of Hawaiian Dick, but really when it came right down to it, there was nothing I read that I thought was as good as Powers.
It's funny, because there was a long period there when a lot of folks were thinking that Bendis and Oeming's crime/superhero baby wasn't doing as well. We saw it far less often than we'd grown use to, and the story had perhaps gotten a bit obtuse. At the time, I said, "no, no, it's just as good as it ever was," and I pretty much believed it. But now, reading the last few issues since the relaunch, with better paper, more pages, and a slightly higher price, it really feels like they're re-energized. Either that, or it was never bad, and now it's just ridiculously good.
I think the thing that stood out the most for me in this issue was the melding of the various storylines. Each time, they cut from a scene, and went somewhere else, it got better. The tension of this is ramping up so much that it's nearly unbearable. There's a killer out there taking the lives of young girls, and so far, he's killed 42. As we open the story, Walker's boss is giving the kind of cop speech crime story lovers love to read. It's time for the police to get out there and fix things, because things have gotten too bad. Then we pop over to see Deena, who we find out isn't nearly as damaged as we had assumed her to be, and she's using her powers to intimidate the underworld into helping her, which works great, until it backfires. Then, Triphammer, from an earlier story shows up, causing all sorts of drama and tension. Walker's new partner, who's really spying on him for Internal Affairs is caught up in a personal dilemma. The criminals turn on Pilgrim, and finally Walker's young teenage protege shows up at the police station, right in front of everyone, in her full costumed superhero glory.
I'm not sure if I've ever wanted a next issue as much as I did at the end of this one. The trade readers will never know how it feels.
It's been I-don't-know-how-many years since I've been reading this, and it's all as fresh and exciting as then, if not more so. It really feels like there's going to be a break in this world, where the complete ban on powered beings is going to be at least bent in the cause of a greater good. There's no end to the stories that could come out of that.
Matching Bendis' writing step for step, Oeming's art is just alive in this new format. The increased pages let him allow the art to breathe, and the effect is nearly palpable. It's hard to think about something new to say about Oeming's work, since we've said it many times before, but he must be getting better, because, there's been this energy in the pages for at least the last 3 issues, and it's so natural, and unforced. He can communicate so much about a character's state of mind in the sparse lines he uses on faces. Triphammer is destroyed inside. Deena is serious, but just a bit out of her league. Sunshine is truly torn about what to do. I almost need to see Oeming on another book to see if he's really this good, or if he's just so locked into these scripts and stories that it's second nature to him. But of course, if he does Powers indefinitely, I'm cool with that too.
This is, without any doubt at all, the best book Brian Michael Bendis is working on, or has worked on. If you like his other work, but don't read Powers, you're very simply doing yourself a disservice. It's been the best book he's done since it started, and it still feels fresh and new. I don't know how they keep their interest in the book fresh, but I certainly thank them for doing so.
What did the iFanboy community think?
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Haven't read Powers-- well, I read one issue, and it didn't grab me. I did read Cap this week, and it didn't particularly impress me (as compared to other Cap issues, not to "normal" books).
Only read one other book this week... New X-Men, continuing the Messiah Complex crossover; unfortunately it was the weakest issue of the crossover so far. Maybe just because I don't know who any of those characters are, and they were heavily featured.
I concur completely, Josh. I know the Bendis Avengers stuff is fun, but this is clearly where his heart is.
Posted by mantaray69 on 11/21/07 at 09:54 PM
I totally agree with this. Despite the fact that I got kinda annoyed with every third page being either huge panels or a full-page spread, I still though this issue was AMAZING, and I really can't wait for the others.
also, did checkmate come out this week? I think my stores have just stopped carrying this book, which totally sucks cuz I love it.
Good pick Josh, you shouldn't feel bad for picking this, Powers is awesome. I need to pick up the recent issues though, they look amazing/
Posted by Idave on 11/21/07 at 10:34 PM
I've only read one book so far today, and it was "Powers", and when I was done, I said to myself, "There's the pick." Brilliant stuff, and the best issue they've done in a long time.
Posted by RaceMcCloud on 11/21/07 at 11:23 PM
Equally as unoriginal, you could've done Cap # 32.
Posted by William K. Scurry Jr. on 11/21/07 at 11:52 PM
Good pick. I thought Iron man Annual was the best thing I read this week.
Please explain Loners on the show--that book ended like they forgot they were supposed to be ending.
I always look forward to this book. Never disappoints. Not much to choose from for my PoW though, since after last week's monstrous deluge of comic bookery, I only had this, and The Spirit #11 (Which was pretty killer as well).
Posted by Firevine on 11/22/07 at 02:01 AM
I'm right there with you josh. I got through my stack and thought, "geez, i know they pick this pretty regularly, but I don't know how they can pick anything else this week."
I've only been on Powers since issue #25 with the format change, but all three of these issues, regardless of what other books come out the same week, have topped them all. This has to be my most anticipated title however much time there may be between issues.
One thing I can say against this issue(however minor it may be) is that I wasn't extatic about 3 full pages of the simons sayin "The Dead Girls." 2 pages would have sufficed to get the point across, or stuff in those 3 pages would have been more interesting. I also didn't know the Girl at the end of the book, but that's my own fault cause I've never read the previous issues.
Overall Great Pick
Anytime Powers is POW an angel gets it's wings. Everything is right in the world for that one brief instant.
Good pick Josh, Powers is far and away Bendis' best work in my opinion. I haven't read it yet, since I'm planning on saving the best for last, but i can wait to there
I can't believe I'm up posting this early on my day off. Ugh! Yeah for family time, right?
I didn't get a chance to pick up my books yesterday because of travel, but I'm glad to hear it was a strong week this week.
I don't normally buy Powers, but now, I'm just waiting for a good jump on issue. Then, I'll be right there with you guys on the pick.
Have a great Thanksgiving iFanboy nation!
I don't normally buy Powers, but now, I'm just waiting for a good jump on issue. Then, I'll be right there with you guys on the pick.
If you can find issue 25, and try to catch up from there, that's probably a good place. Other than that, it just cannot hurt to go back and go through the trades.
I picked up 25 when it was suggested on the podcast, and it was easy to understand what was going on. The show has filled me in on a few of the intricate details, so my case might be different than someone who just grabs it on a whim. You were right though, I was picking up that it was probably a good time to start reading, with Walker's new partner and all. It hooked me, I'm on for the monthly issues, and I'm gonna go read 27 right now.
Posted by Quentin on 11/22/07 at 11:31 AM
I've never read Powers, but I love Bendis (just finished Torso from th library today) and have purchased the first three trades. I'm waiting until I finish the Preacher trades (currently in Salvation, the 7th) before I start Powers. Every time Josh reiterates how good it is, I get excited.
I also get a bit sad when I realize how many trades I'll have to buy if I like it as much as I suspect.
Of the three books I bought, I think Cap #32 would be my pick. Just seeing Bucky take guys out while in a straight jacket reminded me of something Jack Kirby would have done with Cap back in the 60's.
Hey guys, Long time no see, just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all the other fanboys.
Mike
I have to go with The Walking Dead and I am so glad I have switched over from the trades. Powers too. It was very good. I ended up getting fifteen books this week and maybe only five of them were "meh" at worst.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I know there are a lot of Bendis haters on the internet so I want to point out that I do not hate Bendis nor do I wish for his family to die terrible deaths at the tentacles of Cthulhu.
But I did drop both New and Mighty Avengers a few months ago. It would be accurate to attribute that to Bendis's writing. The dialogue was just trying so hard to be cute all the time. I still don't understand where the parentheses fit in. And the ninjas in Japan story just seemed to go on forever. So Bendis has been a reason I stayed away from Powers even though I think the premise is fantastic. I tried Powers for free at another comic site but I wasn't pulled in enough to read at a page a day.
But with all the love the ifanboys heap on Powers and Bendis, I am going to have to check it out. Damn you ifanboys! I need another monthly book...
Captain America 32 is still the only book I read from this week's batch. It wasn't as good as recent issues but it still had such great moments I can't believe it can be as consistent as it is.
ok. i know i'm going to get panned on this but i'll say it anyways. i don't get it. the powers love i mean. i take that back. i get why other people like it but it's not for me. i make it a point to pick up the pow every week so i have plenty of powers experience and its not my thing. it hurts too because Oeming's art is my thing.
but it is your pow josh so you shouldn't feel bad because you pick it so much. i would probably pick immortal iron fist every time. its sooo much fun.
p.s. i'm glad strangers in paradise is over. i struggled with that as well
Bitler sums up my feelings exactly. It's been hard for me to continue with New Avengers, precisely because of Bendis' writing of dialogue. Specifically, his characters in New Avengers usually sound exactly the same. It's something I've noticed on tv shows like The West Wing and Gilmore Girls, where you have this very particular or quirky type of dialogue, and everyone ends up speaking exactly the same.
Here's what I think of as a typical example of this with Bendis: two characters, say for example Spider-Man and Luke Cage, in a room talking. Cage has just came in from outdoors, where it's raining. The dialogue would go:
Spider-Man: In from the rain, hunhh?
Cage: Yep, in from the rain.
Spider-Man: So, it's raining?
Cage: Yep, it's raining.
Spider-Man: And you're in from it?
Cage: I'm in from it.
Spider-Man: So, you're out of the rain?
Cage: Looks that way.
Spider-Man: Out of the rain....
Cage: Out of the rain.
Makes me want to break something.
And the ninjas in Japan story DID seem to go on forever--- which illustrates Bendis' tendency to "spin his wheels" through what seem to me like unnecessarily long periods of "deconstruction."
So, like Bitler I have stayed away from Powers. I did pick up one issue, I think #25, the alleged great "jumping on point," and it didn't do anything for me.
However, I have been wrong about books before, and when all three of the guys love a book, usually there's something to that. And, while his dialogue often drives me bananas, I do like a lot of the rest of Bendis' writing. So, I'm going to pick up a Powers trade, see if I can get on board--- give it a good honest shot.
Jim's West Wing comparison makes sense. Bendis really is Aaron Sorkin, as far as dialogue- writing goes. He has tics and when they work they work, and when they don't, it's kind of painful. Personally, I have trouble with him on a team book -- maybe because there are so many voices to balance.
So I don't like his "Avengers" books. But I loved "Daredevil," and I'm just now getting into "Alias" and "Powers." Don't feel bad about the pick, Josh; I'm just now getting into "Powers" because it's come up so much on the show. So thanks for getting the word out!
I just picked up my books today and had a chance to read most of them.
My pick this week would definitely have to be The Spirit #11. Frankly, I'm shocked Josh didn't pick this one as this issue was fantastic! The story wrapped up the tale of El Morte, and it did it with phenomenal writing and art that goes beyond words. And Dave Stewart did an amazing job of coloring this book. It only makes me sadder that next issue is Darwyn Cooke's last.
Another stand out this week was Hellblazer. What a wonderfully written issue that captures just how badass John Constantine is. The art was top notch and Diggle really seems to have his voice down with this character. Really great stuff.
Everything else (read: 8 other issues) was an excellent read as well, and I had no clunkers at all this week.
On a side note, just how farkin' amazing is Gary Franks art on Action Comics? This is my first exposure to him, and I am loving it.
Oh, and Josh, I got lucky and was able to find the issues 25, 26, and 27 of Powers, and I was able to scope the first two trades from the library. So, I'm on board. I haven't read the latest issues yet, but plan to drool at them tomorrow.
I just finished reading the three Powers issues, and man were they really amazing. I'd only read the first two trades before, but didn't feel lost at all. Oeming's art is amazing, and Bendis is penning an amazing storyline. Whole heartedly agree with this pick!
Posted by Neb on 11/25/07 at 03:13 PM
i think you guys are in for a very awesome surprise this week! :-)
Posted by nickmaynard on 11/26/07 at 01:57 AM
Excellent pick. Whenever Powers comes out is automatically my POW and this issue was no different, though I can't wait to see what happens when Triphammer goes on the offensive, and he will given his history of taking matters into his own hands. Someone did mention that Powers is available online in a daily format, but didn't have the desire to wait for a page a day. Well, the entire first 3 story arcs are now online in archive format. That means you can read 3 trades for free and the fourth is supposed to start December. That should be more than enough to make a fair judgement of the book at absolutely no cost!
Posted by tdaniel on 11/26/07 at 05:03 PM
Great review Josh, I haven't gotten my books yet, was Cap good?
Posted by Six Gun on 11/21/07 at 08:20 PM