Power Up #1

Power Up (Single Issues) #1

by Kate Leth, Matt Cummings (Artist)

What's To Love: New York Times bestselling author Kate Leth (Bravest Warriors, Adventure Time: Seeing Red) and artist Matt Cummings (Adventure Time) create a new, original series that takes the magical girl story where it's never, ever been before. Combining a deep love of Sailor Moon with the tongue-in-cheek humor of Scott Pilgrim, Power Up is the story of the most unlikely people (and goldfish) taking on the roles of Magical Girl, whether they want it or not.

What It Is: It has been foretold that four noble warriors of incredible strength would be gifted with cosmic abilities at a moment of planetary alignment...which, yeah, something definitely went wrong here. Amie is a disaffected twentysomething with a lot of attitude, Kevin is a washed-up athlete way past his prime, Sandy's a mother of two teenagers, and Silas...is a goldfish. Just a normal goldfish. Are we sure we read that prophecy right?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2015

About the author

Kate Leth is a Canadian author and illustrator working in comics, animation, design, and feelings. A grown-up goth and pop culture devotee, Kate specializes in work for kids and teens. Their comics work includes Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!; Girl Over Paris; Spell on Wheels; and Adventure Time, among others.

They live in Halifax, Nova Scotia with an absolutely ridiculous cat and several regrets. They are queer and genderfluid/non-binary, a fact that greatly influences their work. Kate uses they/them pronouns, but probably won’t correct you.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the art and coloring but this issue fell flat in what is ultimately just a serviceable introduction but I will be continuing on with the series because I see the potential.

[Spira Virgo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Power Up is a new 6 limited issues series created by Kate Leth as the writer and Matt Cummings as the illustrator and released by BOOM! Box comics.

For a starting issue, we have a small amount of interdiction to the main character Amie, who is quite nice for a main lead. She's just funny and goofy a little bit irresponsible but hey aren't we all that by the end of the day? Unfortunately, it doesn't help capture enough interest in the next issues for a first time read. Sure, there's lots of interesting stuff going on, but it just happens... And that just, well, sad to be honest.

The art is good, kinda cutsy and childish reminds me of Adventure Time and other good cartoons shows I like.

Power Up is a nice read, it won't be much of a big lesson and moral and what not so if you looking for thoughtful material to ponder about, look somewhere else, okay? This is just for nice relaxing story about people who you would probably won't except they will start developing powers.

[sparklemaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst thing about this first installment is that it is over too soon. I WANT FOUR HUNDRED MORE. Looking forward to the next one! Kate Leth's writing is delightfully paired with Matt Cummings' adorable artwork. I like Amie as a doesn't-quite-have-this-whole-adulthood-thing-together-yet protagonist, and I'm especially excited for Kevin's storyline!

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustration and colour, good setup for this mysterious power and stranger in a suit speaking a foreign language. The main character Amie is normal enough looking, not a scrawny blonde heroine as usual. But the premise just didn't grab me. A lot of series I've started (Lunberjanes) instantly grabbed my attention. This first issue is good but I found it to be lacking that something special.

[Tomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet! This comic starts of great and leaves me wanting more. Great art and some funny things hidden in the backgrounds as well. :D

[Guts Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 1-6 (Complete). Love the diversity!

[Katthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING I use photos from the comic itself. If you want a completely spoiler-free experience, don't look at them. Additionally, this is a review of all of Power up! so far, so be warned. minor spoilers are ahead.

Now that that's out of the way,
HOLY CRAP BALLS. THIS COMIC IS FREAKING AMAZING.

Okay, first of all, MC is a regular young adult person named Amy or Aimee or something, she went to art school and is trying to pay her student loans by working at a pet store until suddenly, bam! Huge flash of light and she has... powers? Energy and stuff? who knows, it just happened yesterday and she still has no freaking clue how to use any of it. Anyway, this whole thing happened yesterday, and within five minutes huge monsters started attacking her job, her neighborhood, everything. The only other person she knows has powers too technically isn't even human. He's a goldfish that can morph into a whale and shoot lasers


This next paragraph contains a synopsis of issue #2. If you don't want mild spoilers for issue #1, don't read it. Aimee meets Kevin! He's my favorite character, if only for his complete subversion of the magigirl genre.

Same, Aimee. Same.

And guess what! He wears a skirt and is still a dude! A wonderful example that can be used to explain the difference between gender expression and gender itself.

then there's strong girl sandy. mom of teenagers, she drives a minivan and suddenly realizes that she can fly and has super strength.


anyway, they fight stuff and it's awesome.


This next paragraph contains a synopsis of issue #3. If you don't want mild spoilers for issues #1-2, don't read it. KEVIN'S STORY! HERE'S A SPOILER WITHIN A SPOILER THAT HAS HIS FIRST MAGIGIRL TRANSFORMATION IF YOU WANT TO LOOK IT'S NOT A HUGE SPOILER BUT STILL.

we get a closer look at sandy's teenaged kids! we were introduced briefly in issue #2, but here's all they do basically the whole time.
I'm basically pink girl. I would do the same if my mom could suddenly fly and stuff.


That's all the information I'm giving you about the actual plot. However, just as a warning, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. It's good but at the same time, I feel like it ended prematurely. I want to know so much more!

[Sidekicks Wanted · Rating 2 out of 5]

C: I need to read a couple more issues to see if I actually like this. The first issue was really short, and I don't have a good sense of what is going on at all. I like some of the art, but not all of it and that is a little confusing.

[Melody Schreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

So awesome! I love how diverse and inclusive this story is.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun. Excited to see what happens!

[Secret Stacks]

This comic was discussed on Secret Stacks Episode 6

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need to read a couple more issues to see if I actually like this. The first issue was really short, and I don't have a good sense of what is going on at all.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IT!
Gotta get me hands on the rest of the issues asap!

[Ruby-Mae Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute but didn't capture my interest as much as I hoped.

[Lashette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Cute art and a great story.