Powers #6 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Michael Avon Oeming (art), Nick Filardi (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: Walker and Calista go on their first adventure together, a god (maybe) is found murdered, and a certain someone makes her unexpected return in an unexpected capacity.

What’s Good: Calista comes out as the star this month.  While her role as Walker’s student expands with her first team-up alongside him, she’s the highlight this month if only because her personality really shines.  Calista is really at her most adorable this month, so much so that it’s impossible not to like her.  Best of all is that this likability is wholly natural and never saccharine, as it’s accomplished chiefly through Calista’s absurd sense of humor and Bendis’ writing of her youthful impatience.  Calista’s dialogue was a job well done by Bendis this month; she’s funny, she’s human, and her age and personality really come through.

Other than Calista-related awesomeness, this month is fairly devoted to set-up.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it’s intriguing and really promising for the future, as Bendis seems to intend this arc to address a region of superheroics that he’d left untouched so far.  It looks as though this arc is going to be dedicated to the mythological gods who always seem to somehow find their way into superhero tights in the comics world.  That Bendis has never even once mentioned this area before is stunning and that I had never thought of it myself is testament to how good Powers really is.  Considering the various intelligent riffs Bendis has made on superhero comics in Powers, I can’t wait to see what he does here.

Then of course, there’s the surprise return.  Even though it’s not really a surprise, given the solicitations and the cover of next month’s issue, the capacity in which the character returns is certainly an interesting one.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kato Origins #4: Way of the Ninja – As predicted, Kato Origins #4: Way of the Ninja stomped the competition. Nitz delivered a great, multi-level story that kept on surprising until the end. I’m loving Kato Origins!

Most Anticipated: Valkyrie #1 – I have been a Defenders fan pretty much since I started collecting comic books. It was a non-team of slightly odd characters with really different origins and reasons for being. Valkyrie was just another one of the characters that seemed to fit. Goddess power in a woman’s body. Then Goddess soul in woman’s body. Then finally, Goddess soul in her own body. She’s tough. She’s brave. She’s loyal. And I’m looking forward to seeing what Marvel does with her on her own.

Other Top Picks: Justice Society of America #43, Outsiders #33, Atlas #5, Avenger: Prime #3, Captain America #610

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Velocity #2 – Read my review to see how much I love Kenneth Rocafort’s artwork, but this series also has a very easy to get behind story that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of Top Cow properties.

Most Anticipated: Avengers Prime #3 – This is an amazingly light week for comics, but I’m still excited to see the next chapter of the adventures of Tony Stark, Steve Rogers & Thor.

Other picks: Amazing Spider- Man #644, Valkyrie #1, Powers #6, X-Men Legacy #240

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Thor #615– In what was an outstanding week for comics, Thor stands out from the pack as fresh, big, and very, very promising.  It’s Matt Fraction doing what he does best and I can’t wait for the next issue.

Most Anticipated: Powers #6 – Powers really takes this by the slimmest of margins over Action Comics, which sees Nick Spencer’s DC debut.  But I can’t say no to Deena Pilgrim, who is making her return this issue.  Not to mention that it’s about goddamned time this thing came out.  I’ve been aching really badly for some Powers and I finally get not only that, but also one of my favourite comic characters making a comeback.  Sweet.

Other Picks: Captain America #610, Casanova #3, Powers #6, Secret Warriors #20, Action Comics #893, Wonder Woman #603, Chew #14