The Truth of Supreme Power

Power. Wouldn't you like to have more power? Of course, if you had power, you would have to figure out what to do with it. Would you try to end poverty and promote world peace? Would you set yourself up on a tropical island with a huge mansion and your very own harem? Or would you try to rule the world and keep the people crushed under your mighty heel? Tough choices. Now, what would you do if you had "Supreme Power"?

In the world of J. Michael Straczynski's Supreme Power, having power doesn't actually make life much easier for anybody. When the original "Squadron Supreme" first appeared in Marvel Comics, they were really just a thinly veiled parody of DC's "Justice League." JMS has taken those characters and looked at them in a whole new light. What would happen in the"real" world if people with incredible abilities and "supreme power" actually existed?

When the Superman-like Hyperion crashes to Earth as a baby, the US government is on the scene to take possession of this alien visitor. And when he shows signs of having power far beyond human beings, action is quickly taken to ensure that that power is always under government control. One way or another, Hyperion's arrival is the catalyst for other super-powered beings to appear on the scene. The more people become involved, the more difficult it is to maintain control. Eventually, things start to go wrong.

With JMS, the writer behind Amazing Spider-Man and TV's Babylon 5 at the helm, Supreme Power exists in a world where anything can happen. These characters are not tied into anyone else's shared universe, so JMS does not always have to play nice. The fact that this book exists in Marvel's MAXimprint, for mature readers, also means that JMS can take the story in any direction he may choose. The excellent writing in this title is ably supported by Gary Frank's gorgeously detailed and realistic art.

Supreme Power #16 deals mostly with the Army's attempts to regain control of Hyperion (AKA Mark Milton) after he has had enough of being manipulated and takes off to do his own thing. Even though new readers will be jumping into the middle of the story, there is enough info given here to explain everything you will need to know. Try out this realistic look at the life of a super-hero now, while it is Four Color's guaranteed Book of the Week. You have the power!