THE POWER COMPANY #2
"Here There Be Dragons"
Recommended (7/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Tom Grummett
Inks: Christian Alamy
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Busiek and Grumett's tale of a private-sector super-hero team continues to blend Silver Age super-heroics with corporate manoeuvring nicely. Character development is slow but steady, and the book boasts a striking sense of design. Though The Power Company isn't knocking my socks off yet, it has piqued my curiosity and I look forward to what the creators have planned for future issues.
The fledlging team called the Power Company faces off against two foes at once -- the extradimensional Dragoneer and the team of mercenaries known as the Strike Force, and both are after the Godstone. Inexperience and a lack of teamwork lead to embarrassing results, though, but fortunately, one team member manages to arrange for a rematch. Meanwhile, Skyrocket's energy harness goes on the blink.
I'm pleased to find a shift in inkers (the talented Wade Von Grawbadger handled the inks on the first issue) hasn't caused any sense of inconsistency in the art. Of course, given the tight, sharp and distinct nature of Grummett's style, that comes as no big surprise. The panel layouts along with the great design work on the part of Comicraft give this title a slightly tweaked, more modern look. Design elements merge nicely here. The cover is particularly eye-catching.
Though certainly nostalgic and colorful, two of the main antagonists -- Dr. Cyber and the Dragoneer -- are the least interesting figures in the book because they're the least developed. Their traditional and one-dimensional villainy is rather glaring when contrasted with the more modern storytelling elements that domainte the book. The plot is drawing the characters away from their work-for-hire schitck, which is the really the most unique aspect of the title. It should be emphasized, not glossed over.
It's a pleasure to see the interpersonal dynamics taking shape here. Bork's immediate deference to and focus on Skyrocket makes a lot of sense, and Striker Z, though cocky, seems quite open to learning more about the hero game. The others' distrust of Manhunter and his penchant for surprisingly them offers plenty of characterization potential as well.
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