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POWERS #17
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Image Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Colors: Peter Pantazis
Letters: Ken Bruzenak
Copy Editor: KC McCrory
Price: $2.95 US/$4.70 CAN |
I don't know what I can say about this comic that I haven't said already, but it seems to bear repeating that it's one of my favorite comics, and that this particular storyline is shaping up to be a favorite. Rather than focusing on the mystery aspect of the murder, Bendis has focused in on the dysfunctional dynamics of the super-group FG-3, and that allows him to play around with a lot of heavy dialogue-based scenes, each of which sheds more light on the case, the characters and the world of Powers. And as always,
Mike Avon Oeming and Peter Pantazis turn in knockout artwork.
What I'm starting to really
love about this book is how much is lurking beneath the surface. Beneath fairly
cool and detached exteriors, Detectives Deena Pilgrim and Christian Walker
clearly have a lot of issues. Walker's explosion at the media guy about Retro
Girl and the issues surrounding her death was a surprise, and shows an emotional
side to him that we rarely see, and the question of whether Deena was at all
involved in Royale's death, hinted at in previous stories and brought to the
fore this month, is a fascinating story waiting to be told. As with any job,
there are personal interactions that happen in the middle of a job, unrelated
but helping to up the pressure that people feel.
I've also been quite impressed
at how Bendis manages to convey the routine of police-work in a realistic manner
while still making it interesting, rather than simply repetitive. A lot of the
reason for this is, of course, the dialogue. We've seen plenty of scenes already
where Walker, Pilgrim or both visit a deceased's relatives or interrogate a
suspect or intimidate a potential suspect or witness, but it's always just
slightly different thanks to entertaining dialogue. Whether it's the interaction
with the rattled sister of Boogiegirl's personal assistant or the hilariously
appropriate intimidation they use on the lawyer who has been lying to them, the
back and forth is always entertaining.
One of the other trademarks of
this series has been that the break in the case often comes in a surprising and
sudden fashion. The reappearance of Boogiegirl was perfect, turning a controlled
situation into one that is violent, dangerous and very much out of control. And
of course the demonstration of Boogiegirl's powers are incredible, with a
feeling of power and awe that is hard to match in most comics, where powers are
thrown around on a regular basis.
Fair credit in that
department, and indeed for much of the feel of the book, to Mike Oeming and
Peter Pantazis. The regular storytelling is always sharp, and able to convey
small movements and expressions, but when they really want to impress, they can
go full out as well. The double-page spread of an alley spray-painted with
"Kaotic Chic" is an incredible mood-setting piece, and the finale, complete with
Boogiegirl's power eruption, is powerful and impressive.
As a bonus, this issue
includes a look at "Bastard Samurai," a new title co-written and inked by Oeming
with writing by Miles Gunter and Kelsy Shannon. The preview here is only a few
pages, but the artwork is jaw-dropping gorgeous, the narration smooth and
engaging and the story premise very intriguing. I'll definitely be checking this
series out.
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