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Empowered #10
Empowered Volume 10
Costumed crimefighter Empowered, delighted by her long-delayed promotion to full-time membership in the Superhomeys, enjoys a suprasocial-media "victory lap." But will her newfound satisfaction survive the challenges of obnoxious "white knights," disturbing cryoprison visits, alarming alien medical scans and--worst of all--the revelation of a lover's dark secret?
* Over 250,000 copies sold of Empowered volumes!
"Adam Warren continues to beat the odds and persists in getting better and better with his spicy superhero romp."--Johnny Bacardi, Popdose.com
* Over 250,000 copies sold of Empowered volumes!
"Adam Warren continues to beat the odds and persists in getting better and better with his spicy superhero romp."--Johnny Bacardi, Popdose.com
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2017
9 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Adam Warren
190 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 13, 2017
:cracks knuckles: ok let's do this kids.
Briefly, if you don't know EMPOWERED, it's a comic about a highly insecure semi-competent Suprachicka and her attempts to juggle life, love and respect as a hostage prone damsel. Thugboy is her ex-minion boyfriend, Ninjette is her best friend and you can ignore the cosmic belt (or try to, he's verbose as f*ck).
Due to recent events it finally seems like Emp will receive the respect she deserves and that's great! Too bad the douchecapes and douchevillains still see her as just bondage bait.
This volume, which ends on a f*cking cliffhanger that BROKE MY HEART, is kind of a reckoning of sorts for Emp. She gets her hard earned recognition but it puts distance between her and her loved ones. 'Jette feels like a third wheel to Emp's popularity and Thugboy feels useless and a tad bit unappreciated for who he is.
This series, despite the fan service people LOVE to point out to me (f*ck y'all, if T&A bothers you fine but don't assume it'll bother me when the actual content is this deserving and worthwhile), Emp is a relatable heroine crafted from a different cloth. She's not size 4, she's not perfect, she doesn't always do the right thing or say the right thing, but her heart is always there.
This was definitely a build up volume - a couple minor villains, some orientation with her promotion and a whole lot of discussion about the right reasons to be with someone. All of which lead into an ending that had me super anxious. I had to (digitally, since I read this digitally) flip and reread/stare at about four pages of panels before it sunknin what the frak was happening.
Volume 11 is due out later this year - which as the ending panels note it's been a long time since more than one volume came out in a year - and I sort of need some authorial reassurances about that ending? Because I'm a little scared what it means considering
Briefly, if you don't know EMPOWERED, it's a comic about a highly insecure semi-competent Suprachicka and her attempts to juggle life, love and respect as a hostage prone damsel. Thugboy is her ex-minion boyfriend, Ninjette is her best friend and you can ignore the cosmic belt (or try to, he's verbose as f*ck).
Due to recent events it finally seems like Emp will receive the respect she deserves and that's great! Too bad the douchecapes and douchevillains still see her as just bondage bait.
This volume, which ends on a f*cking cliffhanger that BROKE MY HEART, is kind of a reckoning of sorts for Emp. She gets her hard earned recognition but it puts distance between her and her loved ones. 'Jette feels like a third wheel to Emp's popularity and Thugboy feels useless and a tad bit unappreciated for who he is.
This series, despite the fan service people LOVE to point out to me (f*ck y'all, if T&A bothers you fine but don't assume it'll bother me when the actual content is this deserving and worthwhile), Emp is a relatable heroine crafted from a different cloth. She's not size 4, she's not perfect, she doesn't always do the right thing or say the right thing, but her heart is always there.
This was definitely a build up volume - a couple minor villains, some orientation with her promotion and a whole lot of discussion about the right reasons to be with someone. All of which lead into an ending that had me super anxious. I had to (digitally, since I read this digitally) flip and reread/stare at about four pages of panels before it sunknin what the frak was happening.
Volume 11 is due out later this year - which as the ending panels note it's been a long time since more than one volume came out in a year - and I sort of need some authorial reassurances about that ending? Because I'm a little scared what it means considering
August 14, 2017
I love Empowered so much. The whole series is amazing, I'm just so sad that I have to wait so long in between volumes. This volume felt a bit slower than the previous ones because there wasn't really much of a plot to carry through. That ending though!!!
January 2, 2018
I entered the readership of Empowered when volume 3 came out, then quickly backfilled with volumes 1 and 2; these, and the next six volumes, have been quite a wild and entertaining ride!
With volume 10, however, the fun has, ever so slightly, begun to pall. I really don't know how much more I can stand of Major Havoc's deeply spiteful, single-minded rantings, and the overextended cuddly-wuddly scene with Emp, Ninjette and Thugboy was just a bit too precious for my taste. For the first time I felt Warren was riffing on his own tropes instead of going after tropes that deserve a well-earned kick to the curb.
That said, the wrap-up was a startler and no mistake. I'm almost willing to suspect Warren was deliberately laying back for much of the volume in order to lull us into complacency, leaving us unprepared for that whack upside the head! So, in spite of my misgivings, I'm definitely on board for volume 11…!
With volume 10, however, the fun has, ever so slightly, begun to pall. I really don't know how much more I can stand of Major Havoc's deeply spiteful, single-minded rantings, and the overextended cuddly-wuddly scene with Emp, Ninjette and Thugboy was just a bit too precious for my taste. For the first time I felt Warren was riffing on his own tropes instead of going after tropes that deserve a well-earned kick to the curb.
That said, the wrap-up was a startler and no mistake. I'm almost willing to suspect Warren was deliberately laying back for much of the volume in order to lull us into complacency, leaving us unprepared for that whack upside the head! So, in spite of my misgivings, I'm definitely on board for volume 11…!
October 4, 2017
No doubt about it, Adam Warren is one of the best artists/writers in comicdom working today. The man has singlehandedly (well, maybe not singlehandedly) brought Japanese manga to the masses in the US and has carved out his own niche over the years.
Nothing maybe encapsulates Adam Warren quite like his sexy superhero comic Empowered (which you can read for free here http://www.empoweredcomic.com/comic/v...). It’s manga (a Japanese artform) but deals with supeheroes (an American artform) and mixes it with some heavy hitting pop culture references. Making this endeavor all the more appealing is that Warren writes and draws the thing himself, opting for a rougher look of plain pencils over the more polished inked and colors. I just can’t get over how great this approach makes the series look and how much I’ve grown to love it over the years. Any doubt over whether Adam Warren is a contender for greatest artist in comics will quickly be abated.
For as great a book as Empowered has turned out to be, the latest Volume 10 catches the series at a bit of a nadir as it mostly serves to set up the next volume and the quite serious shit that appears to be going down. On the other hand, volume 10 focuses mostly on Emp’s promotion to full time superhomey, and quite honestly, spends way too much time with her wallowing in a pool of self pity and insecurity and her supporting cast serving no purpose but to prop her up emotionally, and quite frankly, treating her like a baby. Not that this hasn't’ happened before in the series (and it’s never been a high-point for me when it happens), but this time around it’s a little more than I care for. There is a bigger story here to tell that’s honestly much more interesting than Emp’s emotional black hole and we don’t spend enough time on it. That said, let’s be clear here that Empowered Volume 10 is a good book that’s been put together with skill and there’s plenty to love here.
Adam Warren has raised the standards in both artwork and writing for “mainstream” comics with his thoughtful, witty, and nuanced stories. This is surely just a slight lull in the Empowered storytelling that will serve as an appetizer for greater things to come. And I for one eagerly await that.
Nothing maybe encapsulates Adam Warren quite like his sexy superhero comic Empowered (which you can read for free here http://www.empoweredcomic.com/comic/v...). It’s manga (a Japanese artform) but deals with supeheroes (an American artform) and mixes it with some heavy hitting pop culture references. Making this endeavor all the more appealing is that Warren writes and draws the thing himself, opting for a rougher look of plain pencils over the more polished inked and colors. I just can’t get over how great this approach makes the series look and how much I’ve grown to love it over the years. Any doubt over whether Adam Warren is a contender for greatest artist in comics will quickly be abated.
For as great a book as Empowered has turned out to be, the latest Volume 10 catches the series at a bit of a nadir as it mostly serves to set up the next volume and the quite serious shit that appears to be going down. On the other hand, volume 10 focuses mostly on Emp’s promotion to full time superhomey, and quite honestly, spends way too much time with her wallowing in a pool of self pity and insecurity and her supporting cast serving no purpose but to prop her up emotionally, and quite frankly, treating her like a baby. Not that this hasn't’ happened before in the series (and it’s never been a high-point for me when it happens), but this time around it’s a little more than I care for. There is a bigger story here to tell that’s honestly much more interesting than Emp’s emotional black hole and we don’t spend enough time on it. That said, let’s be clear here that Empowered Volume 10 is a good book that’s been put together with skill and there’s plenty to love here.
Adam Warren has raised the standards in both artwork and writing for “mainstream” comics with his thoughtful, witty, and nuanced stories. This is surely just a slight lull in the Empowered storytelling that will serve as an appetizer for greater things to come. And I for one eagerly await that.
July 6, 2017
The tenth volume of Empowered hits the shelves under the direction of artist and writer Adam Warren, and finally sees our distressed heroine move into the big leagues. Officially a full-time member of the Super-Homey crew, Emp is finally seeing her dreams come true. She has a ninja BFF (now gifted with a special katana), a tough and sensitive boyfriend (who moonlights as a minion), and the respect of her fellow heroes (albeit begrudgingly). Despite things finally falling into place for our titular heroine, her closest compatriots begin to wonder where they will now fit in. Add in some medical mysteries, classic kidnappings, and the looming threat of a psychotic psychic, and Empowered burns its way on to volume eleven. Adam Warren uses this volume to hearken back to its initial foundations, but to also reflect on how much the out-of-control universe has become. Riffing on everything from sex to relationships to emotions to typical comic plot devices, Warren succeeds in helping his parody move into into own place alongside its inspirations. The book does tend to fly along quickly, and the constant use of slang and fetishism can grow thin at times in such a small space. Still, Empowered has cranked out 10 impressive volumes, and seeks to grow further with its tongue-in-cheek look at heroics.
October 4, 2017
Perhaps the most heartwarming volume in the whole series. Here the superheroine with the greatest degree of self confidence issues finally gets promoted to full time heroine. This is not a spoiler as it is splashed all over the front cover. What follows is a glorious cavalcade of her finally being happy and confident and the superheroine she would be in any other series. This seems to be a wonderful ending for the series but there is a Volume 11 on the way and this sets it up wonderfully
June 27, 2017
I'm glad I've stuck with this over the years as it continues to be such an odd comics anomaly - in a good way. Perhaps the only adult comic where "adult" means fun and witty instead of Batman-vs-Superman-grimdark.
April 16, 2020
DADGUM, THIS THING JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!! It is everything I’m looking for in a comic pretty much, and true to the author’s style. Thank you Adam for this surprisingly deep and compelling tale, decorated with delightful titillation and addictive characters — really a perfect mix of stuff going on in here as far as I’m concerned. Keep it up as long as you like.
AND THE ART...wow, your detail on stuff. Grateful for the black and white that I feel does it the most justice.
Haven’t seen a mix of poking fun at comics (combined with a backdrop of “realism”) while also embracing the true media like this since Watchmen. This is still a comic book, it’s why I first read comics, and it’s why I still read them — it’s not just a slap in the face or mocking the genre. It’s more like turning some things on their ear, while still enjoying it’s own audience. Thank you.
AND THE ART...wow, your detail on stuff. Grateful for the black and white that I feel does it the most justice.
Haven’t seen a mix of poking fun at comics (combined with a backdrop of “realism”) while also embracing the true media like this since Watchmen. This is still a comic book, it’s why I first read comics, and it’s why I still read them — it’s not just a slap in the face or mocking the genre. It’s more like turning some things on their ear, while still enjoying it’s own audience. Thank you.
December 1, 2017
WTF?!?!!!!!!!
Man, just when I thought this was going to be a lighter volume, it's definitely setting up for some crazy! I thought vol 9 cleared up a lot of plot threads and this was going to be a like a fresh new start, but then vol 10 reminds you of all the stuff that is still going on that goes all the way back to volume 1. 10 years have gone by since EMP first started, which is only a year and a half in her world, and it's going strong! Can't wait for more!!
Man, just when I thought this was going to be a lighter volume, it's definitely setting up for some crazy! I thought vol 9 cleared up a lot of plot threads and this was going to be a like a fresh new start, but then vol 10 reminds you of all the stuff that is still going on that goes all the way back to volume 1. 10 years have gone by since EMP first started, which is only a year and a half in her world, and it's going strong! Can't wait for more!!
November 12, 2017
*sigh* We did nothing this book, it was boring. We need some story Adam! I mean come on guy, we get that Emp has self-esteem issues, that Ninjette has self-esteem issues, that you like to write people with weird accents (you can cut that out, Le Chevalier was just dumb), we already knew all that so let's get on with the story. That's two volumes in a row you didn't do much of anything.
January 16, 2025
This is one of the guilty pleasure series. It at first is just a comic out of Men's magazine where near naked super heroes are in weird situations. But it contains just enough story to keep you excited for the next volume. Certainly did not expect it to hold up 10 volumes. But do hope there is an end plan for the series as certain parts are no longer funny.
July 4, 2017
Lots of Character
This volume focuses on the growth and ongoing development of the characters, making it sweetly appealing and highly engaging despite the low level of action.
Also, it has a heck of a cliffhanger ending.
This volume focuses on the growth and ongoing development of the characters, making it sweetly appealing and highly engaging despite the low level of action.
Also, it has a heck of a cliffhanger ending.
August 16, 2017
This volume of "Empowered" is fun, but it feels like it has a lot of set-up going on for volume 11 (and possibly later) which made it feel a bit thin, content-wise. For me, the highlight of the volume is definitely the chat with Sistah Spooky.
June 29, 2017
Almost felt like a filler volume, but if volume 11 is coming out soon then it was pretty good.
January 2, 2018
Hard to say if you liked something if it's part one of a two-part story...
I truly hope this turns out as good as the other major Mindf*ck story.
Time will tell.
I truly hope this turns out as good as the other major Mindf*ck story.
Time will tell.
May 19, 2018
Die cliffhanger die some filler some development a little too much sex fot my taste
April 20, 2019
Hard knocks keep knocking but Who carries through as usal
December 16, 2019
Empowered is coming into her power . . .
February 22, 2025
This series just keeps getting better.
October 6, 2019
Me reading the first 190 pages of this volume: Okay, Warren is establishing the new status quo for Emp... Huh, there's a lot of emotional insecurity from Emp and Ninjette... Well, that's a couple of interesting concepts Warren has dreamed up for the supracommunity... Why is he going on about head trauma for superheroes?
Me reading the last 20 pages of this volume: Holy $$%%ing $#!*!!! What just happened? Wait, what? How? $@# me...
Yep, just about the time I figured not much would be happening plotwise in this volume, Warren hit me with not one, but two, major developments. Definitely on edge waiting for the next volume!
Me reading the last 20 pages of this volume: Holy $$%%ing $#!*!!! What just happened? Wait, what? How? $@# me...
Yep, just about the time I figured not much would be happening plotwise in this volume, Warren hit me with not one, but two, major developments. Definitely on edge waiting for the next volume!
October 25, 2019
That cliffhanger!
Read
February 15, 2018Ah, these books amuse me. Not gonna lie.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews