Tenzil has already posted a fine review on Squadron Supreme #2. I usually don’t post a review of a comic that Tenzil reviews unless I feel the need to throw my two cents into the mix.
Creative Team
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Gary Frank
Inker: Jonathan Sibal
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Total Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: Check out Tenzil’s review for a synopsis. Since he has already done one, I don’t feel the need to do one as well.
Comments
The Good: Supreme Squadron #2 was a great issue! Both the art and the story were excellent. First, let’s tackle the writing. Straczynski is the man! Right now, he is one of the Top 5 writers in the comic book industry. This issue was very well written. As always, Straczynski turns in some great dialogue. He has done a fantastic job fleshing out the various characters and giving them their own unique voice. You would think that most writers would do this, but they don’t. What is so amazing is how instantaneous Straczynski has created unique voices for each character.
Another strength of Straczynski is the ability to blend in some humor to an otherwise very serious and grim comic book. That is very key. It keeps the comic from being too overwhelmingly dark and somber.
I love the various plotlines that Straczynski is weaving at the same time. It makes the comic wonderfully complex with many different plotlines to keep the reader wanting more at the end of the issue.
I don’t have a problem with Straczynski’s pace over the past two issues. I missed out on Supreme Power, so I think the pace of this story is just right. However, I can see why Tenzil feels that the pace is a bit slow since he did read Supreme Power and has been waiting for a while for Squadron Supreme to come out. I think that new readers like me will find the pace to be perfect.
Right now, the characters that interest me the most would be Hyperion, Power Princess, Doctor Spectrum and Emil Burbank. I like Spectrum’s powers and attitude. Hyperion is so complex and tragic. Hyperion is the very embodiment of turmoil, regret, and sorrow. Emil Burbank is just deliciously evil. And Power Princess. Yum. What more can I say about her other than she wears a black leather outfit with stiletto boots? She is my kind of woman! No, seriously, she is a very intriguing character. Her mysterious past is going to haunt this team.
Frank and Sibal’s art was great! Initially, I was a bit negative about the art on Squadron Supreme. However, issue #2 has erased any and all doubts. This was a nicely drawn comic. I like Frank’s facial expressions. He manages to put plenty of emotion and personality into the character’s faces. I think that Frank’s art fits the tone of Straczynski’s story and Frank does a good job bringing Straczynski’s story to life. Frank’s art makes Squadron Supreme enjoyable to read.
The Bad: None. Not a single complaint. I urge everyone out there to run, don’t walk, to your nearest comic book store and get Squadron Supreme. This is one title that is definitely worth your hard-earned money.