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Powers (2000) #5
Powers, Vol. 5: Anarchy
Anarchy! Society is violently lashing out at their superheroes. Anti-powers groups are rising up with a series of gruesome murders against the cities most colorful capes. With Walker retired, Detective Pilgrim teams up with a new partner to investigate this murderous super-hero backlash and the people behind it.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2003
6 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Brian Michael Bendis
4,444 books2,566 followersA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 13, 2023
Anarchy takes place 1 year after the events of the last volume and starts off with the murder of (yet another) Power that has been marked by the Kaotic Chic logo.
Deena and her partner look into the murder...and spoilery things happen.
Parts of it were filled with annoying talking heads that I could have lived without, but nothing as obnoxious as volume 3. And for the most part, I thought this was a pretty decent jump in the overall storytelling.
Once again, we are given the teeeeeeniest peek at what lies beneath the surface of Christian's past, and once again, I'm sucked into reading the next volume because of it.
Deena and her partner look into the murder...and spoilery things happen.
Parts of it were filled with annoying talking heads that I could have lived without, but nothing as obnoxious as volume 3. And for the most part, I thought this was a pretty decent jump in the overall storytelling.
Once again, we are given the teeeeeeniest peek at what lies beneath the surface of Christian's past, and once again, I'm sucked into reading the next volume because of it.
September 23, 2021
After the self sacrificing, but ultimately reckless actions of Walker at the end of the last volume, he's out! It's a year later, and foul mouth, straight talking Deanna has a new partner and continues at the 4th Precinct. Someone, or some group are killing super powered beings and the police are struggling... their symbol, spray painted words 'Kaotic Chic'!!!
With a big time breaking out of the ongoing human - super powered beings relationship sub plot and bringing it front and centre, Bendis and Oeming bring us a much more sinister and deadly anti-powers terrorist movement than we'd considered; they underscore this with the negative impact on society as a whole and still manage to bring their superb undercurrent of unrestrained dark humour. This series is so anti-superhero, so pro kick-ass women and has a delightfully romanticised depiction of police procedure and comradery like nothing else!
8.5 out of 12.
With a big time breaking out of the ongoing human - super powered beings relationship sub plot and bringing it front and centre, Bendis and Oeming bring us a much more sinister and deadly anti-powers terrorist movement than we'd considered; they underscore this with the negative impact on society as a whole and still manage to bring their superb undercurrent of unrestrained dark humour. This series is so anti-superhero, so pro kick-ass women and has a delightfully romanticised depiction of police procedure and comradery like nothing else!
8.5 out of 12.
September 18, 2019
A year has passed since the last story ended. Kaotic Chic has spawned a movement. There's a group going around killing Powers, both good and evil. Pilgrim has a new partner. This book just keeps getting better and better. Just when you think Supergroup has hit the high bar, this climbs even higher.
April 25, 2014
The story was still good which is expected because Bendis and Oeming are one of the best teams in comics. I must admit though that Bendis' talking head dialogue was almost a chore to read since I wanted to dive into the main story, which has a serial killing gang co opting "kaotic chic" for their crimes against the super folk or powers. The team was actually divided with Walker retired but Pilgrim brought him back to help solve the case.
I think there's a larger overarching arc here but I'll only know if I find more Powers hardcovers in the bargain bins.
I think there's a larger overarching arc here but I'll only know if I find more Powers hardcovers in the bargain bins.
January 27, 2016
Still like it, but man, am I getting tired of Bendis's beloved two-page spreads filled with dialogue bubbles. It wouldn't be so bad with a good font, at least, but in the last couple of volumes the font is atrocious and is really hard to read, especially digitally, as I do.
Still, I really like the story, even though it is a VERY slow burner.
Still, I really like the story, even though it is a VERY slow burner.
October 15, 2016
Five volumes in, Bendis starts this book off with a twist. Instead of just getting handed a body, we get to see the crime and even the perpetrator. It's straight out of the Homicide: Life on the Streets playbook, which is fair enough, as Bendis has said that was one of his influences.
The crime nicely plays upon Powers, Vol. 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? by turning that single crime into a movement. The anti-Powers wave is growing and by Anarchy they've become violent and scary.
The main plot of this volume is nicely done, especially as it starts to impinge upon Walker's life, as other recent crimes have. However, the metaplotting is a little less enjoyable. The dramatic conclusions of Powers, Vol. 4: Supergroup are set aside just a little too easily, though at least Bendis uses that big reboot to deepen the central relationship of the comic.
Overall, this story is a pretty traditional Powers procedural, despite its non-traditional start, but it's an enjoyable continuation of the series.
The crime nicely plays upon Powers, Vol. 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? by turning that single crime into a movement. The anti-Powers wave is growing and by Anarchy they've become violent and scary.
The main plot of this volume is nicely done, especially as it starts to impinge upon Walker's life, as other recent crimes have. However, the metaplotting is a little less enjoyable. The dramatic conclusions of Powers, Vol. 4: Supergroup are set aside just a little too easily, though at least Bendis uses that big reboot to deepen the central relationship of the comic.
Overall, this story is a pretty traditional Powers procedural, despite its non-traditional start, but it's an enjoyable continuation of the series.
August 5, 2016
Powers continues its winning streak. Not quite as substantial as Supergroup but its certainly close. I love how they bring Walker back into the fold. Things continue to feel epic which is a sense I am glad has been carrie over from volume 4 and definitely seems to be where they are going as a series. Pilgrim and Walker working together again was great to see and I loved their conversation on the roof at the end. I love the way Bendis writes conversations. The quick back and forth which is clearly inspired by the idols he talks about in the interview at the end of the volume, Mamet and Sorkin, work so well. It really involves you in the dialogue and sucks you into the conversation. It becomes very real and it contributes to the overall feel of the series. Can't wait to see where this goes. I love Walker and Pilgrim.
December 20, 2010
The world of Powers is fascinating.
January 17, 2024
"Powers Anarchy" is a fast paced and mostly solid continuation of the "Powers" saga. This book features the return of Detective Walker amidst a new and growing threat to the Powers community. Expect a new and unexpected form of vigilantism, a strangely blond Walker, Deena going off the reservation, anarchy and a very cool mutual interview between Bendis and Oeming at the end of the book.
October 7, 2019
Fantastic series. I really loved it!
March 28, 2022
Reprints Powers (1) #21-24 (July 2002-October 2002). Christian Walker has quit the force and Deena Pilgrim finds herself with a new partner as the group calling themselves Kaotic Chic increases there war against the Powers. When a woman named Harvey Goodman is identified as one of the faces of Kaotic Chic, Christian Walker finds him pulled back in to the world he was trying to escape.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Powers Volume 5: Anarchy is an Image Comics procedural superhero comic book collection. Following Powers Volume 4: Supergroup, the series features art by Mike Avon Oeming. The issues in the collection were also collected as part of Powers—Book 2, Powers—Volume 1, and the Powers Omnibus.
I was pretty deep into Powers when Powers 5: Anarchy came out. I was buying the volume as they were released (I skipped the physical issues) and waiting for each collection was a painful process…especially in a world that was just catching up to the whole trade paperback craze (Powers was one of the first trades I really kept up with). Powers 5: Anarchy isn’t a bad story, but it is the type of story that I dreaded when it was released.
The story itself is fine. Powers was at a bit of a cliffhanger moment after Supergroup with Christian gone and appearing to be almost banished, and Powers 5: Anarchy looked to answer some questions about the group dogging superheroes while holding Walker’s fate in their hands. It is a little anticlimactic in that sense, but it does bring Walker back into the fold.
What is frustrating about Anarchy is the length. Powers reads very, very quick. Bendis isn’t always doing a lot of dialogue and things like the interrogation panels often are a lot of staring, yes/no questions, and minimal on development (generally leading to a WHAT?!?! type moment in this comic). Powers 5: Anarchy is only four issues and can be read quickly. As a fan who read it as it came out, I can remember reading Powers in a short sitting…and feeling a bit ripped off about it partially because I’d have to wait so long for the next volume.
Mike Avon Oeming’s art continues to really develop the series. The blocky chiseled superheroes of the comic have a classic style to them, but the storyboarding and use of darks and lights is very anti-classic comic. I can always come back to Powers and enjoy the art.
Powers 5: Anarchy is a quick read and now there are volumes and volumes of Powers after Anarchy, it isn’t as painful for being a four issue read (if you even read it as a four issue collection with the multiple bigger run collections existing now). It feels a bit like a reset in that status quo has been restored by the end of the volume, but Powers has a way of changing the status quo quite quickly. Powers 5: Anarchy is followed by Powers 6: The Sellouts.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Powers Volume 5: Anarchy is an Image Comics procedural superhero comic book collection. Following Powers Volume 4: Supergroup, the series features art by Mike Avon Oeming. The issues in the collection were also collected as part of Powers—Book 2, Powers—Volume 1, and the Powers Omnibus.
I was pretty deep into Powers when Powers 5: Anarchy came out. I was buying the volume as they were released (I skipped the physical issues) and waiting for each collection was a painful process…especially in a world that was just catching up to the whole trade paperback craze (Powers was one of the first trades I really kept up with). Powers 5: Anarchy isn’t a bad story, but it is the type of story that I dreaded when it was released.
The story itself is fine. Powers was at a bit of a cliffhanger moment after Supergroup with Christian gone and appearing to be almost banished, and Powers 5: Anarchy looked to answer some questions about the group dogging superheroes while holding Walker’s fate in their hands. It is a little anticlimactic in that sense, but it does bring Walker back into the fold.
What is frustrating about Anarchy is the length. Powers reads very, very quick. Bendis isn’t always doing a lot of dialogue and things like the interrogation panels often are a lot of staring, yes/no questions, and minimal on development (generally leading to a WHAT?!?! type moment in this comic). Powers 5: Anarchy is only four issues and can be read quickly. As a fan who read it as it came out, I can remember reading Powers in a short sitting…and feeling a bit ripped off about it partially because I’d have to wait so long for the next volume.
Mike Avon Oeming’s art continues to really develop the series. The blocky chiseled superheroes of the comic have a classic style to them, but the storyboarding and use of darks and lights is very anti-classic comic. I can always come back to Powers and enjoy the art.
Powers 5: Anarchy is a quick read and now there are volumes and volumes of Powers after Anarchy, it isn’t as painful for being a four issue read (if you even read it as a four issue collection with the multiple bigger run collections existing now). It feels a bit like a reset in that status quo has been restored by the end of the volume, but Powers has a way of changing the status quo quite quickly. Powers 5: Anarchy is followed by Powers 6: The Sellouts.
January 4, 2020
After four volumes this is the first one, which keeps you fully engaged throughout the entire read.
Blonde Walker gets back into the game, gore, explosions, what else do you need.
But for me personally, the most interesting part of the volume, unexpectedly, was the cross-interview of Bendis and Oeming, asking each other hard questions about their work and what's not. It's a bit long, but worth reading till the end. As someone who is involved only in occasionally consuming comics it is very interesting to read some inside-out of the creators.
As I found out Oeming has drawn porn comics in the early days, Bendis literally calls him Mr. Edward Penis-hands in the interview. Bendis taks about writers which inspire him personally. And much more stuff.
Blonde Walker gets back into the game, gore, explosions, what else do you need.
But for me personally, the most interesting part of the volume, unexpectedly, was the cross-interview of Bendis and Oeming, asking each other hard questions about their work and what's not. It's a bit long, but worth reading till the end. As someone who is involved only in occasionally consuming comics it is very interesting to read some inside-out of the creators.
As I found out Oeming has drawn porn comics in the early days, Bendis literally calls him Mr. Edward Penis-hands in the interview. Bendis taks about writers which inspire him personally. And much more stuff.
December 18, 2022
A loooooot of talking in this one. I don’t like the bystander and world stuff, the talking heads and the news anchor stuff. I glaze over. But there’s a really great monologue about supers at the end and some really pungent nasty cop dialogue and authoritarian abuse of power that feels unsanitised and a reminder of how nasty both sides of the law can be. Doesn’t shy away or moralise some of the backwards cop behaviours.
October 12, 2023
This is a step down from the high of Supergroup (the previous volume). It start in a interesting way, it has a Seven-ish structure, and it fizzles out at the end. It's not bad, it is still good as Powers story, but the villain(s) are not complex enough to 1) be believable in the acts they are doing and 2) to end it in a satisfactory manner.
October 10, 2025
Great again. The plot is strong here - a good link from the super bummer ending of the last arc to the dynamic stuff coming next. Excellent dialogue as always, great art (tho perhaps Oeming leaning a bit too heavily into the animation cell mode, stay true to the style please). Love the final talk out from Deena and Christian.
July 10, 2017
Gripping stuff, but this time there were too much people talking and analyzing their feelings. A bit soapy that is.
But when the action starts, that was very fast paced and violent.
So, not the best there is, but not even close the crappiest.
But when the action starts, that was very fast paced and violent.
So, not the best there is, but not even close the crappiest.
November 15, 2020
Il volume non è male, pur non essendo riuscito come i precedenti: forse è la sensazione di ripetizione di certe situazioni, oltre al fatto che Walker è assente per gran parte dell'albo, a rendere la storia leggermente meno entusiasmante. Voto: 8+/10.
July 20, 2019
No sé qué tiene que, pese a sus altibajos, me obliga a seguir leyéndolo.
April 15, 2020
Alright. I'm back into Powers. Once the library opens back up, I'll tear through them...
November 16, 2020
I’d love an answer at some point, rather than more questions.
November 21, 2020
Another step up from the previous volume.
February 4, 2022
Continua muy bien la historia
September 9, 2022
This book rivals FBP for one of the most gruesome (non Crossed) death scenes I have ever seen in a comic no joke
July 23, 2025
Another home run
April 11, 2020
Cops and superheros need I say more
August 4, 2014
This volume is really interesting, but unfortunately, it ends way too quickly. Michael Avon Oeming is back to using mostly brushes and the art is really good, but I prefer it when he uses pens more, like he did in the last half of the previous volume.
The entire world that Brian Michael Bendis created is really fascinating, anything can happen in this world, and yet it is strangely realistic and logical.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read, even though previous volume was better.
The entire world that Brian Michael Bendis created is really fascinating, anything can happen in this world, and yet it is strangely realistic and logical.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read, even though previous volume was better.
December 25, 2015
Excellent work from the Powers crew again. The superheroes almost don't figure in this volume, and that works fine. This book does a lot of what Kurt Busiek was trying to do in Astro City, and although the genre's different, does it a lot better too. Yeah, it's noirish, and a superhero body is at least required for a given volume to work, but the characters that drive the story don't have a powers even if the corpses that offer inciting incidents did before they died.
Deena remains a fascinating walking contradiction, and Walker's back! So...yeah. good stuff. Excellent stuff in fact.
Deena remains a fascinating walking contradiction, and Walker's back! So...yeah. good stuff. Excellent stuff in fact.
October 24, 2016
Walker is back... sort of. This is an interesting philosophical discussion on whether persons with powers should be engaged at all with their 'lesser' human cousins. If they aren't part of the system of checks and balances, aren't they all just villains and vigilantes?
It reminds me somewhat of the groups that are willing to be violent to stop the progress in AI because they believe that self-aware AI will end the human race... with that in mind, preventing the end of the world warrants innocent casualties.
Also appreciate that not all the questions are answered.
It reminds me somewhat of the groups that are willing to be violent to stop the progress in AI because they believe that self-aware AI will end the human race... with that in mind, preventing the end of the world warrants innocent casualties.
Also appreciate that not all the questions are answered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews