Monday, February 18, 2013

America's Got Powers #5 (of 6)

When this title started it seemed to be yet another Reality TV-based title, with superpowered individuals fighting in an arena for a worldwide audience.

But America's Got Powers has become much more than that.

The basic idea is that a mysterious alien event grants young people super-powers, and an evil government program has gathered them together to fight on national television (supposedly) for the right to join a super-team.

But from that beginning the story has evolved into science fiction territory, a tale about the investigation into the secret behind the powers, and a young man who seems to be the most powerful of them all - he's able to trigger super-powers in others, including those who didn't have them before.

That all comes to a head in this issue, as the forces for and against the government fight over control of this pivotal ability - and the final solution may have deadly consequences.

The story by Jonathan Ross has really taken off, just as I was about to give up on it.

The art by Bryan Hitch is fantastic, of course, though I admit I'm surprised that he's drawn such obvious caricatures of actor David Tennant (as the heroic scientist) and former politician Sarah Palin (as an evil senator).

Seems to me that's an open invitation to a lawsuit, but what do I know? Ross is a celebrity, maybe he asked them.

The series started strong, sagged a bit in the middle, but seems to be moving to a strong finish. Next issue will decide it!

Grade: A-

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Re: Lawsuit on public figures, but haven't comics done that for a pretty long time now--from putting presidents into comics or using the likeness of actors as characters. Sometimes I don't mind it, other times I find it a distraction.

Chuck said...

True, and it's acceptable for some public figures - few will complain about being made the hero. But to use an actor's likeness without his or her permission invites a possible lawsuit. Amy Grant sued Marvel successfully over a Dr. Strange cover, and Todd MacFarlane lost a suit over using a hockey player as the villain in an issue of Spawn. So while usually it passes without comment, sometimes it cal spell trouble.