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Empowered #7
Empowered TP Vol 7
While costumed crime fighter Empowered makes a startling discovery regarding her status as an all-too-frequent 'damsel in distress,' Ninjette confronts her own sordid past and frighteningly uncertain
Comic
First published June 12, 2012
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About the author
Adam Warren
188 books131 followersAdam Warren (born 1967) is an American comic book writer and artist who is most famous for his original graphic novel Empowered, for adapting the characters known as Dirty Pair into an American comic book, and for being one of the first American commercial illustrators to be influenced by the general manga style.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 17, 2019
I continue to be very impressed with this series. If you judge the volumes by their covers, it looks like just a lot of big breasted heroines and general comic book action goofiness. And . . . well . . . it is! But, it is also so much more!
First things first: this is a mature-content title both in writing and illustration. I will leave that up to you to decide what that means to you - everyone has a little different interpretation of "adult content". I pass no judgment on what anyone decides. But, go in knowing there is language, sexual content, and imagery that are not for everyone.
Okay, now that is out of the way, on with the review!
This volume focuses more on Emp's best friend Ninjette than our frequently-bound heroine. Ninjette is a hard drinking martial arts master from New Jersey. And, while Emp is completely insecure about her body and her life, we find out her just how much Ninjette sometimes wishes they could switch places.
While the story in this series is generally silly, action packed, and, from time to time, incomprehensible, there really is a lot of deep discussion between the lines about body insecurities, self esteem issues, alcoholism, abuse, family issues, friendship, wishing you were someone else, etc. So, while there may be a man dressed up as a French maid in a heated battle with a gelatinous blob wearing a cowboy hat on one page, the next will have two characters in a heartwarming embrace, both in tears after opening their hearts up to each other. It is a pretty dynamic and entertaining experience.
Also, the writing and wordplay are actually quite good. I will leave you with the "Caged Demonwolf" as he jams out to "Baby Got Back" in a version that would make Shakespeare envious.
First things first: this is a mature-content title both in writing and illustration. I will leave that up to you to decide what that means to you - everyone has a little different interpretation of "adult content". I pass no judgment on what anyone decides. But, go in knowing there is language, sexual content, and imagery that are not for everyone.
Okay, now that is out of the way, on with the review!
This volume focuses more on Emp's best friend Ninjette than our frequently-bound heroine. Ninjette is a hard drinking martial arts master from New Jersey. And, while Emp is completely insecure about her body and her life, we find out her just how much Ninjette sometimes wishes they could switch places.
While the story in this series is generally silly, action packed, and, from time to time, incomprehensible, there really is a lot of deep discussion between the lines about body insecurities, self esteem issues, alcoholism, abuse, family issues, friendship, wishing you were someone else, etc. So, while there may be a man dressed up as a French maid in a heated battle with a gelatinous blob wearing a cowboy hat on one page, the next will have two characters in a heartwarming embrace, both in tears after opening their hearts up to each other. It is a pretty dynamic and entertaining experience.
Also, the writing and wordplay are actually quite good. I will leave you with the "Caged Demonwolf" as he jams out to "Baby Got Back" in a version that would make Shakespeare envious.
June 10, 2012
I have to say, with all of the various big and little screen adaptations, I'm a little surprised that nobody has thought to option this series. While the idea of a female superhero being easily disrobed might give some pause, there's a lot to this series that merits a deeper look.
This really was an amazing volume. We get a deeper look into Ninjette's psyche and background here, which shows us that she's far from the cute little sidekick-type character that she initially felt like. Emp is more of a background character in this volume, which took me a while to get used to. She's easily one of my favorite characters in the series, although a volume focusing around Ninjette has been a long time coming. We get to see exactly how awful her home life was, which was pretty awful. We also get a brief look into Oyuki's past as well, and let's just say that she had it pretty bad as well.
I have to say that my absolute favorite chapter in this book had to be the bath scene between the Caged DemonWolf and Ninjette. It's probably one of the most tender scenes I've seen in the series so far, not to mention a little romantic. This might be a little spoilerish, but it's revealed in the first few pages that much like the aliens in Slaughterhouse Five, the CDW is capable of viewing all of the various points in time at any given moment. What this will mean for future volumes is unknown, but I had to give Warren props for bringing this in. It's a nice touch and brings more oomph to the CDW's character.
I'm somewhat looking forward to the next volume, as it looks like it's going to bring a lot of various issues to a head. I'm a little worried that this might mean more bodies hitting the floor, but the story is so engaging at this point that I can't help but feel frustrated that it's going to be at least another 1-2 years before the next volume is released. (There are scenes that Warren cut out of this volume that he'll put in the next volume, so here's hoping that this means that volume 8 will be released sooner!)
If you've been following the series, you HAVE to get this volume. It's worth it.
This really was an amazing volume. We get a deeper look into Ninjette's psyche and background here, which shows us that she's far from the cute little sidekick-type character that she initially felt like. Emp is more of a background character in this volume, which took me a while to get used to. She's easily one of my favorite characters in the series, although a volume focusing around Ninjette has been a long time coming. We get to see exactly how awful her home life was, which was pretty awful. We also get a brief look into Oyuki's past as well, and let's just say that she had it pretty bad as well.
I have to say that my absolute favorite chapter in this book had to be the bath scene between the Caged DemonWolf and Ninjette. It's probably one of the most tender scenes I've seen in the series so far, not to mention a little romantic. This might be a little spoilerish, but it's revealed in the first few pages that much like the aliens in Slaughterhouse Five, the CDW is capable of viewing all of the various points in time at any given moment. What this will mean for future volumes is unknown, but I had to give Warren props for bringing this in. It's a nice touch and brings more oomph to the CDW's character.
I'm somewhat looking forward to the next volume, as it looks like it's going to bring a lot of various issues to a head. I'm a little worried that this might mean more bodies hitting the floor, but the story is so engaging at this point that I can't help but feel frustrated that it's going to be at least another 1-2 years before the next volume is released. (There are scenes that Warren cut out of this volume that he'll put in the next volume, so here's hoping that this means that volume 8 will be released sooner!)
If you've been following the series, you HAVE to get this volume. It's worth it.
August 27, 2025
I love how this series has built on its origins as a gag strip about a fetishy sketch subject superheroine to something that, by this volume, has deep characterization, an overarching theme about inner demons and heroism and a genuinely gripping overall narrative.
Another element that was introduced as a joke is the Caged Demonwolf, an immortal malevolent energy entity now imprisoned in alien bondage gear and resident on the main character's coffee table. Towards the end of this volume it has a conversation with Ninjette while she's drunk and drops its usual bombastic language for a heartfelt confession speech on how it sees Ninjette in terms of its immortal existence. This sequence is worth the 7 volumes preceding by itself.
Another element that was introduced as a joke is the Caged Demonwolf, an immortal malevolent energy entity now imprisoned in alien bondage gear and resident on the main character's coffee table. Towards the end of this volume it has a conversation with Ninjette while she's drunk and drops its usual bombastic language for a heartfelt confession speech on how it sees Ninjette in terms of its immortal existence. This sequence is worth the 7 volumes preceding by itself.
July 21, 2018
This volume is a bit of a doozy packed into 221 pages, and if I'm being honest, there were a couple of moments where it really tested my patience.
Volume 7 of Empowered focuses a lot on Ninjette this time around, and on her friendship(s) with Emp and Thugboy, though to a lesser degree. The first several pages open with a number of panels that seem wildly out of context and non-cohesive, to arrive at a final panel with the Caged Demonwolf revealing the lack of cohesion to be intentional, as in some degree of the narrative these events occurring in said panels are from his perspective. This claim is later backed with some exposition during a conversation between Ninjette and the immortal kingfiend, no less.
Initially following the non-cohesive bit, we have additional resolution to the events that occurred around the end of volume 6, as well as the introduction of "counter-factual scenarios" into the storytelling. It's a device Warren uses in order to expressly portray what a certain character wishes they could say or do in response to an event or interaction, but wind up keeping to themselves, so we get a better idea of what's going on in their heads.
And from that point it just gets a tad confusing. We are constantly jumping back and forth between the various points in time we got glimpses of at the beginning. There are multiple flashbacks to Ninjette's past at several points that give more insight into her character (as well as the crushing debt Oyuki owes her,) a real-time scenario in which she and Oyuki are fighting off the Ayakami ninja clan, home scenes for 'Jette, Emp, and Thugboy, and a rather drunk karaoke party in which conversations are taking place, the super-undead are invited to party thanks to Emp, and Sistah Spooky is dealing with psychic ghostly images of her dead ex. Suffice it to say, this volume got confusing at points, and I would have to constantly backtrack and re-read entire segments of the comic to be sure I understood what was happening. Even now, I'm still not sure I've grasped everything that went on the way I should have, and I don't know if a second or third read would prove beneficial to figuring that out.
Regardless, I did enjoy what all we learned in this volume, which is why I still gave it four stars. The narrative whirlwind though, I could have done without.
Volume 7 of Empowered focuses a lot on Ninjette this time around, and on her friendship(s) with Emp and Thugboy, though to a lesser degree. The first several pages open with a number of panels that seem wildly out of context and non-cohesive, to arrive at a final panel with the Caged Demonwolf revealing the lack of cohesion to be intentional, as in some degree of the narrative these events occurring in said panels are from his perspective. This claim is later backed with some exposition during a conversation between Ninjette and the immortal kingfiend, no less.
Initially following the non-cohesive bit, we have additional resolution to the events that occurred around the end of volume 6, as well as the introduction of "counter-factual scenarios" into the storytelling. It's a device Warren uses in order to expressly portray what a certain character wishes they could say or do in response to an event or interaction, but wind up keeping to themselves, so we get a better idea of what's going on in their heads.
And from that point it just gets a tad confusing. We are constantly jumping back and forth between the various points in time we got glimpses of at the beginning. There are multiple flashbacks to Ninjette's past at several points that give more insight into her character (as well as the crushing debt Oyuki owes her,) a real-time scenario in which she and Oyuki are fighting off the Ayakami ninja clan, home scenes for 'Jette, Emp, and Thugboy, and a rather drunk karaoke party in which conversations are taking place, the super-undead are invited to party thanks to Emp, and Sistah Spooky is dealing with psychic ghostly images of her dead ex. Suffice it to say, this volume got confusing at points, and I would have to constantly backtrack and re-read entire segments of the comic to be sure I understood what was happening. Even now, I'm still not sure I've grasped everything that went on the way I should have, and I don't know if a second or third read would prove beneficial to figuring that out.
Regardless, I did enjoy what all we learned in this volume, which is why I still gave it four stars. The narrative whirlwind though, I could have done without.
December 13, 2020
So I was having a really hard time with this volume, because SO MUCH of it was just like what had happened before: Emp feels self-conscious, nobody respects her, Ninjette and Thugboy try to help her out, everybody else insults her, rinse, wash, repeat.
But then, near the end, we get some really interesting developments, and the volume gets saved, and I don't want to quit the series anymore.
But then, near the end, we get some really interesting developments, and the volume gets saved, and I don't want to quit the series anymore.
January 8, 2013
Way too much Ninjette, way too much Ninja battles. And there won't be another issue until next year. A drawback of Empowerd's format is if you don't like one issue (which I didn't think was possible) waiting until the next issue will take quite some time.
I guess I will, though.
The super-karaoke was enjoyable.
I guess I will, though.
The super-karaoke was enjoyable.
November 3, 2013
Another good outing for empowered, we find out more about ninjette, and who she's hiding from, and from emp herself more tears and embarrassment. Missed sista spooky but she's back in part 7 so all's good.
December 9, 2014
I enjoyed this. It's starting to get a little dark. And I love how Emp is now speaking to the viewer expressing her concerns that she might get killed off.
Scratch that, very very dark.
Do wish they didn't censor out the bad language though, that's annoying.
Scratch that, very very dark.
Do wish they didn't censor out the bad language though, that's annoying.
December 17, 2014
This volume continued the trend of going for more emotional stories, and some of the chapters were very great. I like that we're learning more about the other characters. It needed to do more to advance the plot, but I thought the meta sections toward the end did a lot to make up for it.
October 25, 2019
I laughed for five minutes straight at the cosmic beast who dwells atop a coffee table's sing his own rendition of Sir-Mix-Alot's "Baby Got Back (I like big butts)".
July 24, 2017
Why did I have to read this so quickly?! Now I'm going to have to wait a year possibly longer for vol 8!! Well, looks like I've got to start reading from vol 1 again :)
2013-11-30
Just finished yet another read through of the entire series. That would make it the second time I read this one. How did I forget what happened to Jette at the end?! Probably because all is fine in the mini one-shots. Not sure when "9 Beers" takes place but quite possible somewhere during or before this volume.
Yeah!!! Now I'm totally excited for volume 8!!!
2017-07-24
Man o man... this is probably the most violent and f'ed up volume so far. This is a Ninjette centric volume. Tons of Jette backstory and character stuff framed by this brutal ninja battle. The Caged Deamonwolf's monologue about the beauty of mortality from an immortal's perspective is beautiful and chilling. He practically guarantees Ninjette's death in this series. I knew otherwise, but when first reading this you may think that it'd happen in this volume after all the crap Jette goes through.
I was also reminded of the cryptic stuff that happens in vol 6 where it alludes that Emp may already be dead, as well as that prophecy Spooky gave Thugboy before he met Emp about the woman he'd fall in love with... WE'LL SEE!!! On to more one-shots, continuing my path to the new vol 10!!
2013-11-30
Just finished yet another read through of the entire series. That would make it the second time I read this one. How did I forget what happened to Jette at the end?! Probably because all is fine in the mini one-shots. Not sure when "9 Beers" takes place but quite possible somewhere during or before this volume.
Yeah!!! Now I'm totally excited for volume 8!!!
2017-07-24
Man o man... this is probably the most violent and f'ed up volume so far. This is a Ninjette centric volume. Tons of Jette backstory and character stuff framed by this brutal ninja battle. The Caged Deamonwolf's monologue about the beauty of mortality from an immortal's perspective is beautiful and chilling. He practically guarantees Ninjette's death in this series. I knew otherwise, but when first reading this you may think that it'd happen in this volume after all the crap Jette goes through.
I was also reminded of the cryptic stuff that happens in vol 6 where it alludes that Emp may already be dead, as well as that prophecy Spooky gave Thugboy before he met Emp about the woman he'd fall in love with... WE'LL SEE!!! On to more one-shots, continuing my path to the new vol 10!!
April 1, 2016
Karaoke and ninjas are the order of the day for the seventh tome of the Empowered saga. An evening of bar-hopping and bad singing leads into the return of Ninjette's former ninja clan. Having already beaten them back once before, Empowered now finds herself on the front lines of a war. As the clan looks to forcibly put their warrior princess back on the throne, Emp must help her friend end the threat once and for all. Adam Warren picks up on the threads of his earlier volumes, adding more layers of backstory to the hard-drinking Ninjette. While this does set our titular heroine to the side often, it provides a much-needed change of pace. Warren's art belies his manga influence here, as katana swords and demon masks get their time to shine. Again, another entertaining collection that showcases the evolution of Adam Warren's skills.
August 31, 2013
It's is amazing just stunning, witty, clever, sharp and cool. In terms of goods you have the art work which is incredibly detailed without being hard to read. All of the fight scenes are Kinetic and intense to call them well done is understating how good they are I can't think of a comic book that does better. The characters where as amazing as a always as was their interaction just dripping with personality. It's only weakness is the same one that dogs the rest of the series which is the smuttiness which seems misplaced given how serious the comic has gotten now. Also there wasn't enough W Pete.
August 30, 2017
I finally decided I liked this volume, but I found the pace dizzying. Even when Warren wrote "NOW" at the start of a scene (helpful!), I'd be wondering, Now now, or just more now than the previous scene? It got off to, well, not a slow start, but a scrambled one. As it went along, though, I started piecing the stories together. And even if I'm a bit lost as to when it happened, the Caged Demonwolf and Ninjette was sweet/sad/solemn, and pretty much worth the entirety of the book. (Well, that and getting proof that Oyuki-chan can fight as well as constantly spout obscenities. Actually, she shuts up when she fights.)
August 20, 2015
Another good read with a lot of decent character and back story development. Left me ready to get and read the next volume.
If I had anyhting bad to say its that, well, after seven volumes its actually kind of depressing that the art and story flow hasn't gotten any better. With just one guy doing the whole thing I was expecting the technical aspects of the comic to slowly improve over time, but I haven't really seen that which is kind of sad.
If I had anyhting bad to say its that, well, after seven volumes its actually kind of depressing that the art and story flow hasn't gotten any better. With just one guy doing the whole thing I was expecting the technical aspects of the comic to slowly improve over time, but I haven't really seen that which is kind of sad.
January 26, 2017
via NYPL - a nice spotlight on Ninjette.
May 13, 2022
This review covers volumes 1 through 7.
If you're looking for NSFW, you're in the right place, but you already knew that. What you may not have expected was an enjoyable story with a likeable heroine, but that is also here. You might even add to your vocabulary and knowledge of science.
My only complaint is that there was more taking of the Lord's name in vain than I would prefer. Otherwise it is a good story with likable characters well-told.
If you're looking for NSFW, you're in the right place, but you already knew that. What you may not have expected was an enjoyable story with a likeable heroine, but that is also here. You might even add to your vocabulary and knowledge of science.
My only complaint is that there was more taking of the Lord's name in vain than I would prefer. Otherwise it is a good story with likable characters well-told.
July 22, 2021
Karaoke and ninjas and boobs and butts and emotional revelations.
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August 13, 2023comment ça peut être à la fois bon et... ce que c'est, quoi ?^^ genre là on parle sérieusement du trauma que peut causer tout ce qu'on a vu passer depuis le DEPART
December 9, 2019
A fast-paced and engaging volume. I particularly loved the bath scene between Ninjette and The Caged Demonwolf. It was nice to finally get a little bit of perspective from TCD re: his existence as an immortal, nonhuman being. I liked the way the concept of time was handled, particularly as it was expressed in relation to TCD's love for Ninjette. My shipper heart is pleased! More badass ladies and the monsters who adore them, please!
One thing I didn't particularly care for was the repetitious fixation on the whole "Lady ninjas are used for breeding more baby ninjas" thing. Like, we get it. It still doesn't make any sense. There were other ways to provide the same impetus for Ninjette to abandon her clan, and other reasons for Oyuki to be in Ninjette's debt, and yet here we are.
Still, that was more of a footnote than anything. The volume was a good one, and I'm glad that the overall series quality is increasing!
One thing I didn't particularly care for was the repetitious fixation on the whole "Lady ninjas are used for breeding more baby ninjas" thing. Like, we get it. It still doesn't make any sense. There were other ways to provide the same impetus for Ninjette to abandon her clan, and other reasons for Oyuki to be in Ninjette's debt, and yet here we are.
Still, that was more of a footnote than anything. The volume was a good one, and I'm glad that the overall series quality is increasing!
September 10, 2012
Didn't really care for this installment. It had some cute moments (EMP is too cute), but for the most part it was porn and ninja fights without any substance or addition to what's been rolling around in the main plot. Starting to get really frustrated with this series.
October 2, 2012
A visual treat with a non-conventional story.
January 9, 2013
Much slower momentum than earlier volumes, but the ninja fight and the Caged Demonwolf are worth the price of admission.
January 28, 2013
Prelim Review: Much more about Ninjette! Actually this is a lot about Ninjette and what a crafty, sneaky devil she can be (and the consequences she paid due to these things).
July 29, 2014
Very good. One excellent scene in the whole book between ninjette and demon belt. Aside from that it I feel like I'm getting burnt out on empowered.
December 24, 2015
Ninjette stands off against a rival clan and tells some of her deepest secrets to Caged Demon Lord, who turns out to have a soft side!
April 19, 2012
i hav read them all except this one. they r VERY good. and im hopeing to read this one soon!!:)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews