Powers: Definitive Collection, Vol. 1

Powers: Definitive Collection #1

by Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Avon Oeming (Illustrator)

Because readers demanded it, Marvel presents a hardcover collection of the entire first year of Powers in chronological order The first three epic Powers stories are presented in order of publication for the very first time--remastered, redesigned, and reformatted. Plus all the bonus features you've come to know and love: sketchbook, scripts, interviews, galleries, original designs, and a special Best of the Letter Column. This is where the story begins. A must-have for your comic library.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Crime, Superheroes, Fiction, Noir, Comic Book

456 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2006

About the author

A comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.

Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.

Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.

Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.

Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.

Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.

He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a reason I keep going back to the well and reading this series again and again. Because it's fantastic! This is peak Bendis to me. The dialog is spot on. The stories are interesting. The chemistry between Walker and Pilgrim is excellent. Bendis is top notch at writing crime comics and police procedurals. This is a bit of both.

I love all the little easter eggs Bendis and Oeming throw in there too, with other creators' superheros showing up in those little interview segments. Here you had Madman, some of the Atomics, Shadowhawk, and Savage Dragon to name a few. The Warren Ellis ride along issue was a lot of fun as well. I loved the meta nature of it.

Oeming's art is very stylistic. It's definitely influenced by Bruce Timm and Batman: the Animated Series. I dig it, but I get why others might not.

The definitive edition is packed with extras. A story first stripped out in Comic Shop News, the Powers Coloring Book, scripts, sketches, interviews, even the letters column made it.

[Shadowdenizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok technically this is a RE-read. Perfect timing, since I never shelved these before, and I just picked up Volume 7.

REVIEW:
4.5 stars. Anyone who knows comics doubtless knows Brian Michael Bendis, one of the more prolific authors out there.

He's done higher profile work than this, but for my money, this series is his most fully realized and compulsively readable.

This first collection does an excellent job of setting up the primary characters and premise, and begins to lay down the threads for future volumes/ stories.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Busy weekend. Review to follow...

[Chip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very, very good graphic novel re a now powerless (?) former superhero turned cop. Excellent dialogue, characters, etc. - particularly re creative use of and inversion of tropes. And one of the best things about this book? It’s the worst one of the (now finished!) series.

Edit to add that the last of the series isn’t (currently, at least) part of the Powers: Definitive Collection, but rather Powers: The Best Ever.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conocí la existencia de este comic cuando anunciaron que estaban preparando una versión televisa (que por ahí anda un poco en el limbo...) y me ha encantado. El dibujo y sus colores me entraron por los ojos nada más empezarlo, pero la historia no se queda atrás. Me encanta que salgan superhéroes, pero estos no sean los protagonistas, sino un par de polícias (quién no lo sepa, me pirro por los polis). Muy buena historia y ya estoy deseando hincarle el diente al siguiente tomo.
Además, el material adiccional que incluye este tomo especial es muy interesante.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bendis is hit and miss with me. This was a miss. I just never really connectee with either main character or the world. The comedy just felt a little off for me as well.

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powers is a sentimental favorite of mine. Its true that I would probably like any gritty crime story, but I love how Bendis explores celebrities and our culture and makes statements about them. Some might say the book is a little too direct, but I admire that about it. With that said, upgrading to hardcover for Powers was a really easy call for me. This has the first two story arcs entitled "Who Killed Retro Girl?" and "Roleplay" and quite a bit of extra material. "Who Killed Retro Girl?" is pretty funny, but also packs some emotional punch and it is a nice introduction to Powers. The ending is pretty clever and if you like that, then you'll probably like Powers. "Roleplay" is a very average story and not one of the better ones in the series. It says a lot about Powers that a story arc that is average is one of the worst in the whole series.

As far as the extras go, you get covers, a Powers themed coloring book which is amusing, a brief interview, and quite a few of the "letters" that were printed in the regular issues. All of this stuff is good, but not great. A few things are recycled from the actual trade paperback. The letters can be funny and the coloring book is probably the most amusing, but most of it is just a nice bonus for buying a more expensive version of this series. To be fair, if you bought this, it is probably because you actually want a hardcover version of Powers and not for the extras. I love Powers and probably always will as long as Bendis and Oeming keep making it, but I don't think it is a series for everyone and I'd recommend checking out "Who Killed Retro Girl?" possibly in trade paperback or ditigally to see if you might enjoy it.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've read an issue here and there of this series, I've never read a full storyline. The basic premise is great: a costumed superhero who somehow lost his powers joins the police force and specializes in murders involving powered types. This volume contains two 4 issue stories, a one-issue standalone (featuring an oddly funny cameo by comic book author Warren Ellis) and a reprint of the original preview of the title. They're decent crime stories, but I think I would have liked it better if they were more mysteries laid out in a way the reader has a chance at guessing what happened, not just being told what happened. I had some small problems with the dialogue: there are few moments when I'm not sure the context of what's being said, but those were few and far between. The artwork is very cartoony----in fact, the style almost seems pulled right of the Paul Dini Batman cartoons of the 80's/90's. But I actually liked the overall loook of the book. I definitely plan on tracking the next volume down, because I hear it only gets better.

This volume also includes some character design sketches, a copy of one of Bendis's scripts, sample cover art and copies of letters pages.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually like to write reviews but I have to for this one: it completely blew me away. I'll admit, I am not a huge graphic novel fan. For whatever reason, I have not been able to get into them and I've read several different "genres." A friend handed this to me and I thought, "Great, well, I'll have to get on that but I won't like it...how can I put it nicely that I didn't like it?" And after a few guilty weeks of procrastination, my tv goaded me into reading it by breaking.

And I couldn't put it down. This is the first time (for me) that the story and the artwork blended seamlessly. The layout became a creative experience, reading back and forth, and I understood, for the first time, the appeal of the graphic novel format. I thought the idea was really poignant: a film noir look at a world with superheroes. It sounds silly but it's addressed in realistic and serious ways. I personally cannot understand how it is rated anything but five stars, yet I realize this is an extremely relative (and subjective) experience. For me, I highly recommend it.

Final words: a must-read for graphic novel enthusiasts and a recommended read for those who are looking to get into graphic novels because this one really could be the one that ensnares you.

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two detectives investigate the murder of Retro Girl, then take Warren Ellis on a ridealong, and finally look into the violent death of a student who liked to dress up as a superhero.

This was all well done, but very wordy. There were rather more spelling mistakes than you'd expect in a definitive edition, and it was a pain in the neck trying to work out which panel or speech balloon was supposed to come next. I generally ended up picking one at random and hoping it would be right.

Also, after reading Top Ten, Jack Staff, Kane, Astro City and The Boys (some of which it predates, of course) it all seemed a bit overfamiliar. Maybe future volumes will see it develop a more distinct identity.

[Allen D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like a lot of Bendis' work. However I think I had the misfortune of reading The Boys omnibus series before picking up this one. While this might have been groundbreaking when it came out, I think the Boys did the concept and art better. Got through this one, but bailed halfway through the second volume.

[Seb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure the art style was more novel in 2003, but I’ve seen so much fan art in this style that I’ve kind of gone off it. Still, it is obviously very skilled, and the story was really good, might read more.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utilizzando "la scusa" narrativa di una unità di polizia che si occupa di tutti i crimini legati alle faccende dei supereroi, il principale scopo di "Powers" è quello di esplorare il mondo che circonda i supereroi e vedere come la comunità di una classica città metropolitana americana reagisce alla loro presenza, oltre che mostrare gli stessi super per come sono al di fuori delle loro avventure. Ne esce fuori uno spaccato di vita fin troppo simile al nostro, dove gli eroi vengono portati agli stessi livelli delle persone comuni, presentandoli soprattutto attraverso le loro ansie, paure e motivi di altro stress che portano ad eclatanti episodi di burnout professionale. Una grande viaggio nei problemi di tutti i giorni delle persone e, per quanto uno possa essere super o meno, alla fine è comunque una persona e fa quello che fa (qualunque cosa faccia) perché mosso da sensazioni che, a volte, ti consumano.
Un Bendis over the topo completamente in controllo dell'universo da lui creato e in perfetta simbiosi con il disegnatore Michael Avon Oeming.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Though word to the wise, the last 200 pages or so of this digital edition are sundry bonus materials so it ends quite suddenly and leaves you jonesing for much, much more.



This reminded me a lot of Top 10 by Alan Moore though it's references are for the most part slyer and features a group of non-superpowered cops as they navigate the day-to-day of collecting evidence, interrogating perps and processing arrests in a world where there are indeed superheroes and villains duking it out in the streets and skies.

Highly recommended if you like crime procedurals, noire, and snappy writing that does not in any way, shape, or form abide by the Comics Code Authority.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only problem was with page layout more than the story--often the binding would make it hard to see/read what was going on near the spine, and I kept getting confused by the two-page spreads about whether I should be reading across or down. Overall, though, it was a fun read, and I'll probably read volume 2 over the holidays (it's a big hardcover so it's easier to read at home instead of on the train).

[Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

The later volumes probably get better, but this was a good introduction to the Powers world. Like some have mentioned, the binding of the book and some layouts make a few of the 2-page spreads hard to read, and I wish they'd fixed the typos. There's a ton of bonus material, which are hit or miss -- the colouring/activity book is fun, the letters are utterly pointless.

[Kylos · Rating 4 out of 5]

do you like Law and Order?
do you like Film Noir?
do you like super heroes?
then you should already have read this.
and i wont hate you if you havent. it's ok. but go make it right.

[Raewyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Powers and this is such a gripping introduction!!

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read. Finally finished it

[Todd Glaeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know why it took me so long to actually pick this up?

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading a Brian Michael Bendis comic takes me back to the early 2000s when I was really into comics and reading his biggest book at the time, Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 1: Power and Responsibility. There's a lot of the same DNA in Powers, as with all Bendis' work. Mostly that means a ton of dialogue. It's good, conversational dialogue, though. It also tries to mimic the television medium by having multiple characters talking at once, which is quite a feat to pull off successfully in a comic.

The other big draw to Powers is Michael Avon Oeming's artwork. It is very unabashedly reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series, which is always a good thing. The team also makes sure to utilize the environment as a character, as any good noir does.

Which gets to the heart of Powers. Given Bendis started with his Jinx line of crime comics, it isn't a surprise his take on superheroes is heavily focused on the police on the ground below the people in capes. This type of story was pretty original when it first came out, which is important to keep in mind when first picking it up now. The first two arcs go a long way to simply establishing the characters and setting. The mystery in each one isn't exactly enthralling when you look into each, but that's not really the point of these initial stories.

There are plenty of memorable moments and some witty dialogue. But overall the book didn't super impress me. Some of Bendis' dialogue has a tendency to try a little too hard to be clever. This first volume is mostly setup for the series, so maybe future volumes manage to build off that foundation to offer more enthralling stories that don't leave so many threads dangling.

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an unfair rating. I liked Bendis’ work, the noir police procedural involving a guy who seems to have inexplicably lost his powers. That bit is great. So is Walker’s chemistry with Deena. I’m not sure what happened to the little girl between Retro Girl and Roleplay, but I’m willing to overlook that. The poor rating is because the art drove me batty. The women look cray cray, it’s got something to do with their mouth. The men are better but not by much. There’s a lot of shadows, and there’s a point to it because Walker used to be a masked hero, but on the whole the overuse drove me crazy. I’m just not a fan.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early 2000s, this was my first introduction to Brian Michael Bendis and rereading it, I'm so happy I did then and now. Powers is a really a police procedural that just happens to be set in a world where superpowers exist. Bendis does a great job of just giving readers enough information to keep them wanting more without just info dumping. Now, he is very guilty of dialogue dumping though and I can see how some readers wouldn't like that but I feel he writes comics like people actually speak. Michael Avon Oeming's art is also not for everyone but I think it fit this book really well. Overall, a classic that should be a must read for comics' fans.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my lofty 2025 perspective, and with a quarter-century of experience reading comics since Powers' original release, I'm now extremely tired of "What if super heroes were really messed up people?" as an angle on the genre. But Powers got into that lane at the right time, and the ground-level focus gives it just enough of a unique flavor to still be good on its own merits. This volume in particular also resisted the temptation to go truly overboard into the stereotype of Mature Superhero Comics - later volumes didn't always walk that tightrope so well.

[Amritesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review covers the complete series)

A gritty mix of crime drama and superhero deconstruction, set in a world where people with powers are often selfish, reckless, or corrupt. It follows homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim as they investigate crimes involving people with powers. The writing mixes noir-style dialogue with grounded character development, while the shadow-heavy art gives it a stylish, atmospheric look.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed the noir meets super heroes story and the dynamic between the main characters was developing nicely, but felt there needed to be more "powers" in the story. The bonus features were very interesting (except the too long letters section).

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for detective stories and for superhero weirdness, so hey, guess what? I was a big time mark for this. An interesting mix of superheroic shenanigans and simple police work kept me going right through.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this fancy hardbound volume up years ago and, for various reasons, couldn't get into it.

Gave it another go in a much better state of mind and really enjoyed the story. The art was serviceable, but I'm excited to have a comic where that didn't keep me from moving forward.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another world populated by significant number of people with "powers." The "capes" that fight crime and others who do it. Good, but not inspired.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted more things like Gotham Central. Thoroughly enjoyable, Bendis's signature chatty natural dialogue feels like it's in the right place in a kind of Homicide-with-superheroes noir.