Amazon.com: Supreme Power, Vol. 1: 9780785113690: Straczynski, J. Michael, Frank, Gary: Books

I have to admit that I was not really looking forward to this book. I do not care for super hero type stories and try to stay away from them completely. Some friends insisted I read this so I picked up the first volume expecting it to be pretty terrible. Thankfully the quality of this book is excellent. The writing and art are amazing and the book is just put together well. I read the whole thing in one sitting and put it down just to eat.The Art:There are a few places where some characters look a little weird for some reason. When Hyperion goes to school the faces look a little sloppy but overall it's beautifully illustrated.The Writing:The best part of the whole thing is the writing. It's just a fun read and you get attached to the characters. The whole time you want to know what's going to happen next. Not because of the events occurring but because you feel some connection to the characters and the lives they lead.The Story:The story is great but as another reviewer said it just goes nowhere. The entire book is an origin story for all of the characters but nothing really happens. At the end I felt like I was listening to this great story building up to something huge and then the storyteller just says, "And then I jumped in the car and drove home." There is no real plot for anyone but Hyperion and so there is no end. And anything that could have been plot ends so quickly that you just kind of go, "eh," and read on. If you watch the show surface it feels like that show felt when it ended. I know there is another book and all but you'll understand when you read it. I think it would have been better to dedicate a story to each character separately.Quality:Everything about this book is top notch. As I flipped through I almost felt bad because I could mess up the pages. The art just flies off the pages and the book just feels well made.Overall:Definitely worth reading. It's a more fun and modern Watchmen.

The artwork and storyline exposition is clearly a cut above ("mature" often helps in that way-no constraints). Since the author and the house both have connections to the film industry, I would recommend that they use their influence to oh, I don't know... (I could see myself sitting through such a movie... or two... or ;) )

This is a great buy, well worth the money. This book is like many other series putting out harcover compilations of TPBs. Encompassing the first two paperbacks of Supreme Power, it's a whole lot of bang for your buck in terms of length, and is a great story to boot. My only wish/hope is that they continue to do the same for the 3rd & 4th TPB, putting it into a volume 2.Sidenote: other books given the same treatment include:Powers (at least the first few TPBs in volume 1, also excellent buy)Punisher MaxAliasWalking DeadThese are all great buys, and if you're short on cash, you really get your money's worth with Supreme Power, Powers, and Alias

This is a decontruction of DC JLA for mature readers: there are explicit lenguage, nude bodies and murder. However, the central issue is the conflict between power and freedom, or in Marvel terms, between power and responsabilities. The characters are far from perfect: they are real. Hyperion (Superman) has doubts and he does not act as a boy scout. Nighthawk (Batman) is a violent vigilante victim of racism and a racist himself. Ledger (Green Lantern) is a military subordinated. The Princess (Wonder Woman) is beatiful but totally mad. Only the Blur (Flash) is apparently a honest person. Please, pay attention to the excellent dialogue between Hyperion y Blur in the sixth chapter (number).Gary Frank nicely draws the story where the writer use a good trick: as in the real life, we never know what are thinking the characters. Therefore, we have to take a guess on the moral convictions of the characters.I only hope three things (pay attention Marvel editors!):(1)a second Hardcover collecting the numbers 13-18 plus the miniseries Hyperion, Nighthawk and Doctor Spectrum(2)mature quality remains, due to this story will continue in the Marvel Knights collections as Squadron Supreme(3)a planned ending: a good story needs an end. Although everybody knows that Planetary will finish sooner o later, the story is followed for the fans. In addition, the mythical power of Watchmen is its limited formatDid you enjoy The Authority? Then pick up this book right now.