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Empowered #4
Empowered, Volume 4
Costumed crimefighter Empowered is briefly overjoyed to find herself in the running for one of the superhero community's annual Caped Justice Awards (or "Capeys") - only to discover that her nomination was merely a cruel joke by her obnoxious superpeers. But when the masked masses face a cataclysmic reckoning for such previous heartless hoaxes, can our perpetually struggling heroine overcome her resentment and save the day? And can she cope with the further problems posed by crossdressing vigilantes, dying wishes from preteen wannabe supervillains, telepathic "booty calls," a deeply depressed ninja, bedroom "cosplay" conflicts with her boyfriend, and even . . . Hummer? fu? Each volume comes shrinkwrapped with an 18+ advisory sticker.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2008
About the author
Adam Warren
200 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 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 6, 2017
So, a testosterone overloaded jock, a women’s right’s activist, a pubescent teenage boy, a literary genius, and a sci-fi/horror manga artist all get together and get really drunk and REALLY high. What happens?
The Empowered graphic novel series!
These books are creative while being raunchy, humorous while being sentimental, gratuitously sexual while fighting against body image issues. Really, all the stuff that is combined here does not make a lot of sense (and could frequently make a sensitive person uncomfortable), but MAN! What a wild ride!
A couple of additional notes:
- If you are REALLY PC, get offended easily, and/or cannot just appreciate something for its obnoxious goofiness, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU! Don’t even try it! Seriously! Stop! Go away! If you don’t heed this warning, you try it, and end up hating it – don’t blame me!
- This volume is the first with a really solid storyline. The previous ones were just a collection of anecdotes with some minor continuity. This one had a whole beginning, middle, and end (with a pretty cool final Epic battle)
The Empowered graphic novel series!
These books are creative while being raunchy, humorous while being sentimental, gratuitously sexual while fighting against body image issues. Really, all the stuff that is combined here does not make a lot of sense (and could frequently make a sensitive person uncomfortable), but MAN! What a wild ride!
A couple of additional notes:
- If you are REALLY PC, get offended easily, and/or cannot just appreciate something for its obnoxious goofiness, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU! Don’t even try it! Seriously! Stop! Go away! If you don’t heed this warning, you try it, and end up hating it – don’t blame me!
- This volume is the first with a really solid storyline. The previous ones were just a collection of anecdotes with some minor continuity. This one had a whole beginning, middle, and end (with a pretty cool final Epic battle)
August 14, 2019
FINALLY!
Some really great character and plot development happened in this volume, and it was refreshingly light on the bondage. I'm so intrigued by the dynamic developing between Thugboy, Emp, Ninjette, and yes, even Sistah Spooky. The addition of Mindfuck immediately shook up the narrative (long past due), particularly that reveal towards the end.
Impatiently awaiting Thugboy's name reveal, now.
Some really great character and plot development happened in this volume, and it was refreshingly light on the bondage. I'm so intrigued by the dynamic developing between Thugboy, Emp, Ninjette, and yes, even Sistah Spooky. The addition of Mindfuck immediately shook up the narrative (long past due), particularly that reveal towards the end.
Impatiently awaiting Thugboy's name reveal, now.
Read
November 28, 2021Yes, there's still T&A, and tying up, and a horny space demon trapped in a belt and constantly shouting entertainingly overwritten rude suggestions ("Surely now she cannot fend off the alpha wench's amorous advances!"). But increasingly it's outweighed by some intermittently dark yet very sweet stuff. In the aftermath of Emp rescuing Ninjette for once, there's a flip of their dynamic, with Ninjette traumatised and wondering how Emp manages to take this kind of stuff in her stride. Meanwhile, Thugboy is trying his best not to do anything ungentlemanly with regards to having a further gorgeous superheroine staying over, and even Sistah Spooky, who could often be a one-dimensional bitch/bully figure in earlier stories, is starting to have the backstory behind her meanness to Emp teased out. And when it does get back into the cheesecake stuff, there's now a knowing determination to be equal opportunities about it, as at the superhuman hospital where all the nurses are hot and wear unnecessarily slutty outfits. Yes, including the men. The volume culminating in what could almost pass for an epic superhero showdown played more or less straight. Ish.
August 25, 2015
I have to get something off my chest about this book up front:
I chose to crack this volume over Aaron’s Thor, Slott’s Amazing Spider-man and Soule's She-Hulk (though all of them are high on my list of fun books to start).
It's a little amazing to me - amazing not because I enjoy looking at scantily clad, healthy females, but because I caught myself with some very clear subconscious evidence that I reached for the book that's fun, less wordy and a little socially uncomfortable over the books that are going to get me closer to my goal of being ready to read Marvel's Secret Wars event when it finally shows up on Marvel Unlimited next year.
I am REALLY pumped for all the insane crossover/what-if/remix/creative/hilarious/Hickman-mental-imaginative stories that we'll get out of that event. It's like a giant super-steroid Xmas present to anyone who's put as much time into the Marvel Universe as I have, lo these last twelve years.
So when I say that I chose this book over the great Marvel titles that are begging me to read them, there's something going on here.
I'd heard on the War Rocket Ajax podcast - an interview with Adam Warren - that he started injecting full storylines into these books. And behold, here's where that really takes root. The entire book is not only building on so many of the struggles the main characters have been having in previous tomes, but a full end-to-end arc inside this collection.
And a satisfying one at that - drawing in nearly all the supporting characters, getting their real and amusing takes on the situation, and giving us a reason to care a little more than "boy they're hot". (And even as a comfortably-hetero, cis-gendered guy, I'd like to make special mention of Thug-Boy, who's every bit as hot a lead as Emp. Makes for something not-quite-but-not-badly approaching gender equivalence.)
And the climax? Great - surprising, some feints and little boosts, and a satisfying conclusion. Who says exploitation books can't feel like good fun?
I chose to crack this volume over Aaron’s Thor, Slott’s Amazing Spider-man and Soule's She-Hulk (though all of them are high on my list of fun books to start).
It's a little amazing to me - amazing not because I enjoy looking at scantily clad, healthy females, but because I caught myself with some very clear subconscious evidence that I reached for the book that's fun, less wordy and a little socially uncomfortable over the books that are going to get me closer to my goal of being ready to read Marvel's Secret Wars event when it finally shows up on Marvel Unlimited next year.
I am REALLY pumped for all the insane crossover/what-if/remix/creative/hilarious/Hickman-mental-imaginative stories that we'll get out of that event. It's like a giant super-steroid Xmas present to anyone who's put as much time into the Marvel Universe as I have, lo these last twelve years.
So when I say that I chose this book over the great Marvel titles that are begging me to read them, there's something going on here.
I'd heard on the War Rocket Ajax podcast - an interview with Adam Warren - that he started injecting full storylines into these books. And behold, here's where that really takes root. The entire book is not only building on so many of the struggles the main characters have been having in previous tomes, but a full end-to-end arc inside this collection.
And a satisfying one at that - drawing in nearly all the supporting characters, getting their real and amusing takes on the situation, and giving us a reason to care a little more than "boy they're hot". (And even as a comfortably-hetero, cis-gendered guy, I'd like to make special mention of Thug-Boy, who's every bit as hot a lead as Emp. Makes for something not-quite-but-not-badly approaching gender equivalence.)
And the climax? Great - surprising, some feints and little boosts, and a satisfying conclusion. Who says exploitation books can't feel like good fun?
June 26, 2014
Now I'm hooked, a lot of epic stuff happens here, we're introduced to Maidman, he's funny & badass as hell & the only other sumerhomey apart from Syndablokk who's supportive to Emp. The story with supervillian wannabe terminal kid was both unexpected & insightful for a comedic superhero comic open about sex & sexualisation. We delve more into Sistah Spooky's past & we're introduced to a rather unusal blonde female telepath. The danger that goes down at the Capey's Award ceremony is brilliant. This series is now getting all superhero-y now.
May 18, 2018
One of these days I'll stop being lazy and start properly reviewing these graphic novels. (Figuring out how to do that effectively may prove tricky.)
In the meantime: I love Manny, he's precious, and Maidman needs to stick around forever and be ass-kicking buddies with Ninjette.
In the meantime: I love Manny, he's precious, and Maidman needs to stick around forever and be ass-kicking buddies with Ninjette.
November 20, 2015
http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...
After Ninjette's run-in with the bounty hunters in volume 3, Emp takes her to the hospital (actually, the suprahuman treatment wing--despite Ninjette not being a suprahuman). While there, Emp is hastily recruited by some of the hospital's personnel to help them with a big (and I mean literally big) emergency liver transplant. Later, Emp asks the severely weakened Ninjette to move in with her and Thug Boy until, as Emp puts it, the "whole ninja bounty dealie" is over with once and for all. Meanwhile, Thug Boy's nemesis, Willy Pete, teams up with other supervillains--and the result is . . . unexpected.
On the lighter side of things, Emp is nominated for a Caped Justice Award (or Capey), the suprahuman community's version of the Oscars. But Sistah Spooky warns her that she was probably nominated as a joke, considering her reputation among other heroes. But Emp learns he has her fair share of fans, and is even requested by one terminally ill kid to fulfill his Grant-a-Wish experience--with awkward results. Then, at the Capeys ceremony, something goes horribly wrong and an unsuspected villain returns. As does an unsuspected hero.
At this point, if you've been reading the series, you don't need me to convince you that there's a story lurking behind all the bondage and bare flesh. But with this volume Adam Warren has finally, I think, moved beyond the initial impetus for the series (drawing lots of cheesecake) and brought the story to the forefront. The cheesecake will never disappear (this is the guy who brought us the American version of Dirty Pair, after all) but it seems to have taken a permanent back seat to the characters and the plot. Which makes me feel better about really liking this series.
After Ninjette's run-in with the bounty hunters in volume 3, Emp takes her to the hospital (actually, the suprahuman treatment wing--despite Ninjette not being a suprahuman). While there, Emp is hastily recruited by some of the hospital's personnel to help them with a big (and I mean literally big) emergency liver transplant. Later, Emp asks the severely weakened Ninjette to move in with her and Thug Boy until, as Emp puts it, the "whole ninja bounty dealie" is over with once and for all. Meanwhile, Thug Boy's nemesis, Willy Pete, teams up with other supervillains--and the result is . . . unexpected.
On the lighter side of things, Emp is nominated for a Caped Justice Award (or Capey), the suprahuman community's version of the Oscars. But Sistah Spooky warns her that she was probably nominated as a joke, considering her reputation among other heroes. But Emp learns he has her fair share of fans, and is even requested by one terminally ill kid to fulfill his Grant-a-Wish experience--with awkward results. Then, at the Capeys ceremony, something goes horribly wrong and an unsuspected villain returns. As does an unsuspected hero.
At this point, if you've been reading the series, you don't need me to convince you that there's a story lurking behind all the bondage and bare flesh. But with this volume Adam Warren has finally, I think, moved beyond the initial impetus for the series (drawing lots of cheesecake) and brought the story to the forefront. The cheesecake will never disappear (this is the guy who brought us the American version of Dirty Pair, after all) but it seems to have taken a permanent back seat to the characters and the plot. Which makes me feel better about really liking this series.
January 18, 2012
I got this the other day and literally couldn't put it down. The series has started to move beyond its initial cute humor beginnings and move into far darker territory.
In this volume we have a lot of forshadowing for the next volume and for our heroes. We're given more glimpses of Ninjette's lust/love for Thugboy as well as looks into Thug's dark and bloody past. There's definitely a storm brewing when Emp discovers everything he's done and I'm not entirely sure that their relationship would be able to survive the revelations.
One of the things that really stole the show was the Capeys storyline. Our Emp has finally been noticed for an award, however it's not all champagne and cute little statuettes. There's something else going on behind the award, something that makes even Sistah Spooky hesitate to vote for Emp. (If she thinks the nice thing to do would be to NOT vote for Emp, then it's got to be pretty bad. And it is.)
I have to say that this volume really brings out a lot of Spooky's character and I'm glad for it. I've always loved Emp, but I can't help but feel drawn to Spooky and in a way, feel bad for her. This volume gave us a deeper look into her character and I'm glad for it because she needed to be more than just a mean girl with a bad past.
Absolutely worth owning and it's honestly pretty surprising that this hasn't gotten more attention than it has. It's one of the underdogs of the indie scene.
In this volume we have a lot of forshadowing for the next volume and for our heroes. We're given more glimpses of Ninjette's lust/love for Thugboy as well as looks into Thug's dark and bloody past. There's definitely a storm brewing when Emp discovers everything he's done and I'm not entirely sure that their relationship would be able to survive the revelations.
One of the things that really stole the show was the Capeys storyline. Our Emp has finally been noticed for an award, however it's not all champagne and cute little statuettes. There's something else going on behind the award, something that makes even Sistah Spooky hesitate to vote for Emp. (If she thinks the nice thing to do would be to NOT vote for Emp, then it's got to be pretty bad. And it is.)
I have to say that this volume really brings out a lot of Spooky's character and I'm glad for it. I've always loved Emp, but I can't help but feel drawn to Spooky and in a way, feel bad for her. This volume gave us a deeper look into her character and I'm glad for it because she needed to be more than just a mean girl with a bad past.
Absolutely worth owning and it's honestly pretty surprising that this hasn't gotten more attention than it has. It's one of the underdogs of the indie scene.
May 14, 2012
Empowered is definitely a series that gets better as it goes on. This is the only volume so far that I have actually laughed out loud while reading. The story continues to grow more complex. While there are still some unconnected chapters, there are much less than in the earlier volumes. Also, the chapters are much more connected than in the earlier volumes, which had chapters that were entirely stand-alone stories. There is still a growing emphasis on continuity, with a major scene referencing a conversation between Thugboy and Ninjette back in Volume 2.
We still learn a little bit more about Ninjette and Thugboy. New characters are still being introduced. Mindf*** is a great reference to other comic book characters with similar powers. Maidman is a pretty funny parody of Batman, especially in a fighting scene that shows of the tools in his utility belt. Old side characters get a little more development here, also. Sister Spooky in particular develops into a rounder character, as she is given a little more development than hating blondes.
Unlike Volume 3, this does not result in less development for Empowered. As the book repeatedly points out, there is a lot less bondage in this volume than in any of the earlier volumes. For the first time, we really get to see her fight a super-villain and be successful. By the end of the volume, Empowered will turn a corner in her self-confidence that sets the story up to continue to mature in later volumes.
We still learn a little bit more about Ninjette and Thugboy. New characters are still being introduced. Mindf*** is a great reference to other comic book characters with similar powers. Maidman is a pretty funny parody of Batman, especially in a fighting scene that shows of the tools in his utility belt. Old side characters get a little more development here, also. Sister Spooky in particular develops into a rounder character, as she is given a little more development than hating blondes.
Unlike Volume 3, this does not result in less development for Empowered. As the book repeatedly points out, there is a lot less bondage in this volume than in any of the earlier volumes. For the first time, we really get to see her fight a super-villain and be successful. By the end of the volume, Empowered will turn a corner in her self-confidence that sets the story up to continue to mature in later volumes.
March 22, 2011
2025 update
Totally forgot to update my reading status. Just moved on to volume 5 after that blood bath!! I know she’s still on trial for this in volume (later… no spoilers) but it’s nice to go back and remember all those loose threads.
Like with most Adam Warren books, the things you think are unconnected always come together. This must be my 4th or 5th reread of the series and I find that he often hints towards events that will happen 3,4, or 5 issues later. It's such a delight each time I revisit it.
This volume in particular is where things start to get real good! Can't recommend this series enough.
2017 Update:
I notice I tend to be saying the same thing I said 4 years ago. Things I noticed this time through, Manny still hasn't brought Dwarf / Fleshmaster back, "Sayo F-ing Nara" hero from the San Antonio incident haven't been resolved, what is "black ice", and who won the award for hero deserving of wider recognition?
Anyway, still having a blast rereading these books. This is the volume where all (some of) the threads start to come together and things start to get crazy epic!
On to volume 5!!
Totally forgot to update my reading status. Just moved on to volume 5 after that blood bath!! I know she’s still on trial for this in volume (later… no spoilers) but it’s nice to go back and remember all those loose threads.
Like with most Adam Warren books, the things you think are unconnected always come together. This must be my 4th or 5th reread of the series and I find that he often hints towards events that will happen 3,4, or 5 issues later. It's such a delight each time I revisit it.
This volume in particular is where things start to get real good! Can't recommend this series enough.
2017 Update:
I notice I tend to be saying the same thing I said 4 years ago. Things I noticed this time through, Manny still hasn't brought Dwarf / Fleshmaster back, "Sayo F-ing Nara" hero from the San Antonio incident haven't been resolved, what is "black ice", and who won the award for hero deserving of wider recognition?
Anyway, still having a blast rereading these books. This is the volume where all (some of) the threads start to come together and things start to get crazy epic!
On to volume 5!!
February 11, 2017
THIS is the book I was promised by my friends. The first three were fine, and maybe I had to get through them to get here, but Emp just gets better the less she's in distress. Also, Maidman is amazing.
September 12, 2015
I just can't seem to get enough of this comic, every issue is like a trip to the theme park; full of excitement and unexpected surprises. This is like a fun cross between the madcap antics of Lovebunny & Mr Hell and superhero parody of The Boys, taking the best of both and wrapping them in a manga inspired package which the writer plays like a maestro.
The story seems simple enough Empowered is a super-heroine who loses her powers as her suit is damaged, an ex-witless minion (who isn't so witless) as her love interest, a hard drinking ex-villainess ninja as her BFF and a ribald all powerful extra dimensional being trapped in a belt as their ornament/pet and you can well imagine the fun to be had in a city overrun with some of the most bizarre super heroes and villains to grace the pages since Wanted.
The story seems simple enough Empowered is a super-heroine who loses her powers as her suit is damaged, an ex-witless minion (who isn't so witless) as her love interest, a hard drinking ex-villainess ninja as her BFF and a ribald all powerful extra dimensional being trapped in a belt as their ornament/pet and you can well imagine the fun to be had in a city overrun with some of the most bizarre super heroes and villains to grace the pages since Wanted.
July 30, 2011
The 4th volume of Adam Warren's damsel-in-distress series Empowered continues its look at heroes through a metaphysical pop culture lens. As Ninjette recovers from her ninja clan abduction, Emp is discovers she has actually been nominated for a superhero award. As the heroes prepare for a night of celebration, a traitor in the ranks decides to crash the party. Adam Warren has taken his original one-note heroine and infused her with a lovable personality and real human foibles. Granted, the series gets a huge boost from its humor and tongue-in-cheek "good girl" art, but Empowered has crafted a worthwhile universe around those topics. Fans of the character, the artist, or humorous stories will not want to miss this saga.
November 18, 2015
This book is funny and beautifully drawn in black and white pencil. The super hero satire and adult humor is good, but sometimes is too wordy. It is like the author over tells the joke to make sure we get what he means.
I would have gave it four stars, but the copy I have has the cuss words covered with black bars. This makes no sense since the premise of the story is adult themed. It is alright to show a man groping a woman's breasts and have the character Emp tied up, but saying the word "fuck" is too risque? I am not sure if it is all copies of this book or just the edition I have.
I would have gave it four stars, but the copy I have has the cuss words covered with black bars. This makes no sense since the premise of the story is adult themed. It is alright to show a man groping a woman's breasts and have the character Emp tied up, but saying the word "fuck" is too risque? I am not sure if it is all copies of this book or just the edition I have.
December 23, 2015
That last story was killer! But overall, the whole volume was fantastic. Warren's really developing and stretching his characters beyond what you'd typically expect from a book that employs some of the, um, narrative devices this one does. It's nice to see Emp start to really come into her own (we saw a little at the end of volume 3), the bondage gag was starting to get overused so I'm glad Warren backed off this volume. I want to see Emp grow and improve herself (again, testament to Warren's very realistic emotional characterizations) and not always stuck in the same patterns. I hope volume 5 continues this trajectory.
November 3, 2008
Not much is new here. Warren is still playing around with the question of whether this is outright sexual objectification or some sort of feminist manifesto. The cheesecake gratuity with which its drawn pushes it towards the former, while Emp's growing self-confidence pulls it back towards the latter. Sadly, her growing status as a legitimate superhero feels a little forced. It's hard to accept her legitimately saving the day after so many scenes in which she's so effortlessly trussed up by some nameless villain.
November 30, 2008
In Empowered Volume 4 Adam Warren sets out to tell a story that's a little more mature than what he's done before. Emp is gaining confidence and it's making better stories than her costume being torn to rags and used to tie her up. Even things that happened earlier in the volume had bearing on what happened later. A story is emerging. I'm honestly surprised considered where the character has come from.
April 29, 2011
S'il doit y avoir un volume du changement, c'est celui là, puisqu'Emp n'y est attaché que la moitié du livre ! L'histoire en dehors de la série comique continue de se développer et capte maintenant plus l'attention que le côté humoristique et sexy de la série. Toujours bien foutu, de mieux en mieux ficelé, Empowered se lit vite, très vite, et vous laisse simplement l'envie de lire la suite. Même si ça n'est pas tellement dur, le meilleur bouquin d'Adam Warren jusque là.
April 7, 2013
My son bought me Embowered books 1 through 6 for a present, and they are quite an original idea for a comic book. They are about a really insecure girl who is trying her best to be a superhero. She's having lots of problems along the way but at least she has the support of her boyfriend Thug boy and her bestfriend Ninjette, and a little maybe advise from the demon overlords who lives on her coffee table. Well worth reading.
October 29, 2011
Adam Warren gets free reign to do what he does best in this series. It's a spoof and a bit of satire of superhero comics in his manga inspired style. There's a lot of cheesecake and bondage and it's done tongue in cheek.
December 9, 2008
Better than the last one, not quite as good as the first two, but still entirely inappropriate.
January 17, 2009
Maidman!
November 10, 2010
Ninjette moves in while recovering from the abduction/attack of the last volume. To my joy she ends up in bed with Emp and Thugboy. The elephant trumpets. Awesomely trashy and sexily rendered.
June 24, 2011
I preferred earlier volumes, but still a great series.
August 15, 2012
A funny, surprisingly thoughtful look at a downtrodden heroine. Worth the read.
September 8, 2013
Funny, sexy, full of surprises, beautifully drawn... Adam Warren delivers a unique blend of superhero comics and manga.
May 2, 2014
This volume finally pulls the title out of its cheesecake roots and attacks a proper story, with all the various shorts leading to a satisfying climax. The art, is ever, outstanding.
June 24, 2014
Great art, story felt like it stagnated though. Much smaller in scope than previous volumes. Needs to pick up again.
June 14, 2015
Emp ist überglücklich, dass sie für einen Capey Award nominiert wurde. Aber ist diese Nominierung auch ernst gemeint, oder wird sie nur auf eine neue Art gedemütigt werden?
January 25, 2017
via NYPL -
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews