Heroes glide through the sky on lightning bolts and fire. Flamboyant villains attempt daring daylight robberies. God-like alien creatures clash in ...
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reviews
Nov 25, 2007
Rauf
rated it: 
It's a murder mystery in a world like ours but full of people with superpowers.
It starts out alright.
The indestructible Retro Girl is found dead.
Detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim try to find out who did it.
My favorite part is when the police couldn't perform an autopsy on Retro Girl's corpse...Nothing can pierces her skin. At one point they even apply a blowtorch on her and
still her skin is unscathed. And when Walker and Pilgrim aske More...
It starts out alright.
The indestructible Retro Girl is found dead.
Detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim try to find out who did it.
My favorite part is when the police couldn't perform an autopsy on Retro Girl's corpse...Nothing can pierces her skin. At one point they even apply a blowtorch on her and
still her skin is unscathed. And when Walker and Pilgrim aske More...
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Aug 11, 2011
William Thomas
rated it: 
Brian Michael Bendis, current supreme architect of the Marvel universe, crosses His two favorite genres here- noir and sci-fi. Powers, the first ongoing series Bendis put his back into, is a blend of Raymond Chandler and Jack Kirby. In a world with powers, super powered humans, murders still have to be solved. The bad guys don't just reveal themselves to the hero.and in this, a powered being is murdered and detectives have to solve the crime.
I'm always hard on Bendis because his crime More...
I'm always hard on Bendis because his crime More...
Jun 27, 2011
Matthew
rated it: 
Super hero comics are a tricky sort, they seem to balance walking a fine line between the light cheery "Golden age" books and the grim and gritty post-Dark Knight era comics. This has led to some amazing work over the years but more often then not we stray too far in to the Watchmen school of "So Dark it Must Be Good." Don't get me wrong, Watchmen is good. It was one of the first of it's kind, but it's so heavy with gravitas you think it's going to fall through the floor a
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Mar 13, 2011
Matt
rated it: 
Enjoyable enough read, but it fell flat for me. The story didn't ultimately "matter" a whole heck of a lot...
Where it loses most of it's allure for me however, is with the sudden and drastic format changes periodically throughout the book. Every once in a while the format changes to 'across both pages' instead of down the left side and then back up to the right side. In addition, I didn't like the news coverage formatting... it felt out of synch and flow from how the rest of the More...
Where it loses most of it's allure for me however, is with the sudden and drastic format changes periodically throughout the book. Every once in a while the format changes to 'across both pages' instead of down the left side and then back up to the right side. In addition, I didn't like the news coverage formatting... it felt out of synch and flow from how the rest of the More...
Nov 19, 2010
Joe
rated it:
Deena Pilgrim and Christian Walker are 2 regular cops, whose jurisdiction just so happens to include crimes committed by superheroes. This is a very simple twist on the classic superhero comic book story; in fact it basically is just a classic superhero comic book, with t he exception that the story is told from the point of view of 2 regular people just trying to do their jobs, and how having superheroes thrown into the mix affects the day to day life of these people.
Of course, it tur More...
Of course, it tur More...
Jul 15, 2009
Taejas
rated it:
So I saw mixed reviews of Powers, and I don't follow comics enough to understand why the comic store guy was salivating over Bendis, but obviously I find myself in the "Wow, that kicked ass," side of the balance. Well, kicked ass is maybe a little strong. But you can only say, "Dat vas cool," so many times.
I'm not enough of a noir fan to have immediately recognized the style as such, but the book plays out as a noir style investigation -- if Bogey would have had s More...
I'm not enough of a noir fan to have immediately recognized the style as such, but the book plays out as a noir style investigation -- if Bogey would have had s More...
Oct 15, 2010
Ariel
rated it:
Originally posted HERE
Crime Busting At it's Finest! ( A review of POWERS by Brian Michael Bendis)
Homicide Detective Christian Walker and his partner Deena Pilgrim plunges into the city to investigate the death of Retro Girl. With Detective Walker's secret past and involvement with Retro Girl, would he be able to solve the case?
The greatest comic book ever! With a dash of humor, interesting premise and an eye-candy illustration, a GN that you would surely foll More...
Crime Busting At it's Finest! ( A review of POWERS by Brian Michael Bendis)
Homicide Detective Christian Walker and his partner Deena Pilgrim plunges into the city to investigate the death of Retro Girl. With Detective Walker's secret past and involvement with Retro Girl, would he be able to solve the case?
The greatest comic book ever! With a dash of humor, interesting premise and an eye-candy illustration, a GN that you would surely foll More...
Mar 30, 2010
Elise
rated it:
My male students think I'm the coolest person ever now that my classroom is stocked with comic books and graphic novels. One kid eagerly asked me the other day, "So, do you like basketball, too?" If only to sustain my reputation, I started reading more comic books, so that when my kids want to talk about them (my kids, talking about books outside of class?!) I won't sound stupid and will remain cool in their eyes.
The Powers series isn't one that I have in my classroom ( More...
The Powers series isn't one that I have in my classroom ( More...
Sep 11, 2011
Nick
rated it:
For many years, super hero comics were set in a world exactly like our own, but with costumed and super-powered heroes and villains. Alan Moore's Watchmen (1986-87) was one of the first works to explore, among other things, the wider implications of a world in which there are costumed heroes: the effects on technology, law enforcement, politics and mass culture in particular. Kurt Busiek's Astro Ciy (1995- ) took this further in an ongoing series by looking at the perspectives of non-super heroe
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Oct 11, 2011
Dominick
rated it:
Meh. Decent enough police procedural/superhero graphic novel. Bendis is fairly strong on realistic dialogue, though he doesn't differentiate the voices enough. The plot's moderately interesting, the characters . . . not bad (but really? Christian Walker? Deena Pilgrim? obvious much?) albeit somewhat cipherish, at least so far. The big stumbling block is the inordinate number of gramamtical and format problems. Bendis REALLY needs to hire an editor who knows things like the differenc between "
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Mar 28, 2009
Tony
rated it:
Many years ago, I was lucky enough to add the first issue of Powers to my add-list. I didn't know who BMB was, but the concept sounded neat and it was an adult title.
I have been in love with Mr. Bendis ever since.
Sure, I avoided a lot of his work at Marvel. I didn't want it to taint his work at Image. The thing that I love about him as an author is his fan presence and his honesty. He admits to selling out to Marvel, mostly due to the birth of his first child. More...
Dec 06, 2011
Justyn
rated it:
Amazing!
Simply fantastic!
I bought this from Half Price Books with a coupon because I had heard good things about the series and it was Brian Michael Bendis writing a noir series about capes. I'll give it a shot.
I started reading it tonight and couldn't put it down!
It is hard to explain it without giving spoilers but WOW, everything is really top notch here! The writing is superb, the artwork is incredibly appropriate and incorporates the concept o More...
Simply fantastic!
I bought this from Half Price Books with a coupon because I had heard good things about the series and it was Brian Michael Bendis writing a noir series about capes. I'll give it a shot.
I started reading it tonight and couldn't put it down!
It is hard to explain it without giving spoilers but WOW, everything is really top notch here! The writing is superb, the artwork is incredibly appropriate and incorporates the concept o More...
Mar 09, 2010
Catherine
rated it:
I am giving this a four on the five star scale but on my 1-10 scale I would give it a 7/10. Since reading the first volume of Bendis' series last night, it has stuck with me more than I thought it would. I am craving more. Overall though, while there were a lot of things I liked a lot about this I did have a few issues with it.
We can start with what I did like. I am much more apt to read a graphic novel or comic book series that involves treating superheroes as people with flaws or More...
We can start with what I did like. I am much more apt to read a graphic novel or comic book series that involves treating superheroes as people with flaws or More...
Jul 27, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Bendis and Oemig wind round each other like a double helix -- Bendis with his repetitive, hilarious naturalistic dialogue & clumsy settings; Oemig with a cartoony love for clean flatness and angles, thick lines, mood brought to you by color, trapezoidal shadows, axonometric projections. Almost like Chuck Jones collaborating with (pre-mushbrain) David Mamet. Great story too -- superhero murder mystery of the highest order, focusing on the police procedural and office politics that surround, well
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Jan 02, 2012
Bonnie
rated it:
LOVE IT. Noir + superheroes = awesome.
Throw in a laconic cop, a spunky little girl (who the cop doesn't want to take care of, but you know that will be the most adorable relationship ever), a flamboyant spotlight-stealing ass of an ex-partner and an upbeat, tough, too-curious new partner and you’ve got the recipe for extra awesomesauce.
I think there’s a little too much fanservice (especially in the sketches in the back, where it was just about trying to suss out the styl More...
Throw in a laconic cop, a spunky little girl (who the cop doesn't want to take care of, but you know that will be the most adorable relationship ever), a flamboyant spotlight-stealing ass of an ex-partner and an upbeat, tough, too-curious new partner and you’ve got the recipe for extra awesomesauce.
I think there’s a little too much fanservice (especially in the sketches in the back, where it was just about trying to suss out the styl More...
Oct 08, 2010
André
rated it:
I've read the first volume of Brian Michael Bendis' Powers a while ago, but only now had the time and concentration to write about it. This won't be a proper review of the book but a simple comment as I don't remember the details.
I must start by saying I'm a fan of Bendis, after having read some of his works for Marvel and now this. Powers is marvellously built, including a believable society, great characters and an interesting detective story that develops into much more than a simple inv More...
I must start by saying I'm a fan of Bendis, after having read some of his works for Marvel and now this. Powers is marvellously built, including a believable society, great characters and an interesting detective story that develops into much more than a simple inv More...
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Mar 03, 2008
Jace
rated it:
Everytime I go into the comic store, all I hear is "Bendis, Bendis, Bendis!" The guys behind the counter worship him and talk as though he slings epics like a modern-day Homer. I've not been impressed with Bendis' recent work at Marvel, though more than one former BMB-fan has told me that his work has been steadily declining and that I should check out his slightly older stuff. With that in mind, I picked up a copy of Powers Volume 1 from my library. (I've recently been burned by a
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Jun 06, 2007
scott
rated it:
Bendis has written a unique story. Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl is the story of a pair of homicide detectives who cover the "Powers" beat - ie, homicides involving men and women with super powers. Someone has killed the nearly invulnerable Retro Girl, and detective Walker and his new partner have been assigned to the case. Walker has some history with both Retro Girl, and the rest of the heroes and villains in this story, and his new female partner is intent on figuring it out. I
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Aug 23, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Okay, I have lots of friends out there. Many of them well-read. Some of them comic book readers. So why didn't any of you tell me about "Powers?" Have you been keeping it from me on purpose? Did I offend you in some way?
I don't know how I've missed picking this up, but it's slick, well-written, interesting, and funny. I'll definitely be heading back to the comic book store for volume 2.
I don't know how I've missed picking this up, but it's slick, well-written, interesting, and funny. I'll definitely be heading back to the comic book store for volume 2.
Jul 01, 2010
Matt
rated it:
I had a great time reading through the original Powers trades, and it reminded me all over again why I love this series. Bendis creates a believable, street-level cop crime drama through exceptional dialog, and adds in a little superhero to mix it up a bit. If you liked The Shield or The Wire, this book is right up your alley. I started reading Powers after it moved over to Marvel, so it was great to see how Detectives Walker and Pilgrim met.
Mar 23, 2010
Nick
rated it:
This is the first in a series held in very high esteem by my comic book loving friend Matt. I definitely enjoyed it but also feel the need to wait to make a judgment on its quality. Matt said he didn't get really into the series until a few books in. So far it doesn't seem to have as much depth of meaning as (say) Watchmen, but I can definitely see how it might get there.
Dec 03, 2010
Zach
rated it:
The first collection of Brian Michael Bendis's fascinating Powers comic. It's a police procedural mystery... but the victim is a superhero. The tone is a unique blend of noir and Saturday morning cartoons (although it's definitely not for kids). The writing is excellent, especially the dialogue. The art is solid, and I found the panel layout to be particularly creative. Looking forward to continuing this series...
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Dec 12, 2007
Samantha
rated it:
The first Bendis GN I read was Ultimate Spiderman 1, and I found it a little disappointing (Peter's transformation from reserved teen to wise-cracking superhero seemed a little abrupt, and I found some of the wise-cracking to be alittle annoying). It was still a great book and one I'll recommend to superhero fans, but I didn't really understand why Bendis was so revered. I have a better sense, now, after having read Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl? This book is much more interesting. The dialo
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Jan 23, 2010
Will
rated it:
This series of cops policing super heroes (powers) started off slow, but got exponentially better through out the next issues. It's a buddy film noirish comic with a big dumb boy detective (who has a secret!) and a tough as nails foul-mouthed she-cop that solve crimes caused by (or are victims of) super heroes.
Oct 25, 2011
Jay
rated it:
One of the best superhero books on the market...made even better by the fact that it's not really about the heroes at all, but about the detectives who investigate superhero crimes. An ingenious premise well executed by writer Brian Michael Bendis, who has an incredible ear for multi-character dialogue.
Nov 21, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
It's sticking a hard boiled detective story inside a universe with super heroes. Included is the fallen hero, who's now just a regular cop. (In the hard boiled story, I guess it would be the fallen cop who is now a detective.) It was a great story, but I found the ending to be a little bit rushed.
My very favorite panel of the story takes place in the fist chapter.
Calista, the little girl that Walker has to watch, is sitting alone at his desk
Panel 1:
Other officer: Ho More...
My very favorite panel of the story takes place in the fist chapter.
Calista, the little girl that Walker has to watch, is sitting alone at his desk
Panel 1:
Other officer: Ho More...
May 20, 2009
Doug
rated it:
Started out fantastic. Superheroes meet crime comics; character art is a little bit Samurai Jack. Dialog is Mamet knock-off (which is really fun here.) But man, does it just fizzle out by the end. Great set up, sucky sucky plot resolution.
Jul 10, 2007
Geoff
rated it:
Blending noir and superheroes can't be easy. Murky-colored tights? Powers sets out to do exactly that, and lays the groundwork for big storylines as well as progressing through a simple murder investigation. The cops here are more Law and Order than L.A. Confidential, but the elements of a good mystery are there, mixed in with an interesting cast of costumed vigilantes.
This story owes a great deal to The Watchmen but manages to take a unique look at the interface between society and More...
This story owes a great deal to The Watchmen but manages to take a unique look at the interface between society and More...
Oct 08, 2011
Federiken
rated it:
Una lectura fresca, original y entretenida, que hace honor al género superheróico que homenajea/parodia/visita, pero no tanto al policial, que en este caso debería tener tanto peso como el otro. Los diálogos son llevaderos e ingeniosos, los dibujos a lo "Batman animated" son funcionales y bastante expresivos, el plot está bueno y te deja llevar. Lástima que la cagan con la resolución. Es ahí donde falla el aspecto policial, donde resulta posible pero poco creíble la identidad del asesi
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Jul 30, 2008
Nick
rated it:
A good recommendation from a pal of mine lead me to this GN. It's more caped guys/gals dealing with the real world. There's love, lust, betrayal, friendship and broken promises. If you liked The Watchmen you'll find more of the same here. The art is sharp with great clean lines and nice coloring. The world I'm presented with in the story is a little bland. It doesn't work hard to distinguish itself from reality or do much to draw me in. The characters are good and intriguing but it's not the tot
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