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Project Superpowers #8
Project Superpowers: Chapter Two, Volume 1
Get caught up with Alex Ross' Project Superpowers: Chapter 2 for just $9.99! Overseen again by Alex Ross, who plots and art directs the entire Project Superpowers universe, writer Jim Krueger returns for Chapter Two,
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Alex Ross
1,358 books482 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 20, 2019
There's a lot of heroes to juggle here, too many probably. I'd love to see a glossary included to give the basics of each Golden Age character and their history. The heroes from the original series have now taken over the US in order to return it to the people. The other hero teams are all being manipulated by a shadow group, the Supremacy, who secretly rule the world. Meanwhile, Zeus has returned and he's a real dick. Ross and Krueger have bitten off more than they can chew but are still making it work to a certain extent.
February 20, 2023
Absolutely, acutely atrocious. I have always been fascinated by forgotten Golden Age superheroes. Unfortunately, this comic book does none of them justice. Skip this!
September 8, 2016
Enough with these bad retro superhero team-ups already. I'm sure it was a mistake not to read volume one of this series, because I could never figure out what the hell was going on here. But it also didn't help that this book has twelve main characters to keep track of, all of whom I was unfamiliar with. I had no backstory on any of them, therefore no one was interesting at all. Also I found this book written very blandly, and the art stiff and dull. It all boiled down to a boring, confusing mess I just couldn't bring myself to finish.
August 25, 2015
After finding massive success as artist for the one-two punch of Marvels and Kingdom Come, Alex Ross understandably wanted to keep his momentum going. Eventually, it led to Dynamite's Project Superpowers, which revives Golden Age (and now) public domain superheroes and attempts to find the same kind of climactic story.
The biggest problem is that none of these characters have any meaningful history behind them, and the more of them Ross and frequent collaborator Jim Krueger throw at readers, the harder it is to truly appreciate any of them. To their credit, Ross and Krueger have perfected their machine, so the storytelling itself sells the concept regardless of the connection, or lack thereof, these characters can garner. Since this is Project Superpowers past the origin story, this volume represents the true test of the concept.
The relative anonymity of the characters ends up being a true blessing, as well as curse. Ross and Krueger can get away with doing whatever they want with them with no fear of repercussions, so they can make highly questionable decisions like storming the Pentagon in much the fashion of the Iraq War (presumably that was the intended allegory) and thereby asking all sorts of questions about how far superheroes can push things before they have to be held accountable.
And to that point, it's interesting. Then another layer and then another layer are tossed in. And by the time you realize that this is the first of two volumes for the story, you may let loose a little groan, because the pacing reveals that the most pressing element, the unleashing of a very angry Zeus, isn't even close to resolution by the end of this one.
Using Zeus as the villain is actually the worst decision Ross and Krueger make. The one-dimensional interpretation that draws on the Greek god's worst impulses leaves everything else, pointedly, out, including how he was always depicted as being part of a whole pantheon trying to keep one another in check, which ironically is very much what the superheroes are attempting to do with each other.
The storytelling and the limitations of using barely sketched characters becomes instantly compromised as a result. When it works it works. But on the whole it just doesn't. Ross can pride himself for the achievements of the past, but Krueger has never been someone capable of helping him reach them again. He's just the guy who was available to sign on to help Ross try and try again. This is not a knock on Krueger so much as cautioning Ross to perhaps rethink a strategy he's been working on for close to twenty years now.
The worst part is that he's not even doing much more than formulating the story and doing covers. Thankfully Edgar Salazar is a decent interior artist, but this whole thing would be better if Ross put his money where his mouth is. He became famous for being an artist. If he doesn't trust himself by now to write the whole story himself, he should at least try for something less ambitious.
These characters disappeared for a reason. And Ross and Krueger haven't made near enough effort to make any one of them as interesting as they hope they are as a whole. Think of this as Watchmen lite if you must. And respond accordingly.
The biggest problem is that none of these characters have any meaningful history behind them, and the more of them Ross and frequent collaborator Jim Krueger throw at readers, the harder it is to truly appreciate any of them. To their credit, Ross and Krueger have perfected their machine, so the storytelling itself sells the concept regardless of the connection, or lack thereof, these characters can garner. Since this is Project Superpowers past the origin story, this volume represents the true test of the concept.
The relative anonymity of the characters ends up being a true blessing, as well as curse. Ross and Krueger can get away with doing whatever they want with them with no fear of repercussions, so they can make highly questionable decisions like storming the Pentagon in much the fashion of the Iraq War (presumably that was the intended allegory) and thereby asking all sorts of questions about how far superheroes can push things before they have to be held accountable.
And to that point, it's interesting. Then another layer and then another layer are tossed in. And by the time you realize that this is the first of two volumes for the story, you may let loose a little groan, because the pacing reveals that the most pressing element, the unleashing of a very angry Zeus, isn't even close to resolution by the end of this one.
Using Zeus as the villain is actually the worst decision Ross and Krueger make. The one-dimensional interpretation that draws on the Greek god's worst impulses leaves everything else, pointedly, out, including how he was always depicted as being part of a whole pantheon trying to keep one another in check, which ironically is very much what the superheroes are attempting to do with each other.
The storytelling and the limitations of using barely sketched characters becomes instantly compromised as a result. When it works it works. But on the whole it just doesn't. Ross can pride himself for the achievements of the past, but Krueger has never been someone capable of helping him reach them again. He's just the guy who was available to sign on to help Ross try and try again. This is not a knock on Krueger so much as cautioning Ross to perhaps rethink a strategy he's been working on for close to twenty years now.
The worst part is that he's not even doing much more than formulating the story and doing covers. Thankfully Edgar Salazar is a decent interior artist, but this whole thing would be better if Ross put his money where his mouth is. He became famous for being an artist. If he doesn't trust himself by now to write the whole story himself, he should at least try for something less ambitious.
These characters disappeared for a reason. And Ross and Krueger haven't made near enough effort to make any one of them as interesting as they hope they are as a whole. Think of this as Watchmen lite if you must. And respond accordingly.
April 28, 2020
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. Alex Ross covers and character designs aren’t to be sniffed at, and Jim Krueger and Edgar Salazar are a decent enough writer and artist combo. So what’s the problem?
In a nutshell, what was probably a decent enough plot ended up being curiously under developed and over written at the same time. Far too many heroes, none introduced properly, too much jumping from place to place, character to character endlessly, and just a feeling of everything being muddled.
Strip away half the heroes, tighten up the government conspiracy plot, and you have a decent storyline, although one could argue Squadron Supreme got there first.
I love Golden Age characters, and this book should have been tailor made for me, but it was just average. A few nice little bits here and there, but ultimately not enough to save the book.
In a nutshell, what was probably a decent enough plot ended up being curiously under developed and over written at the same time. Far too many heroes, none introduced properly, too much jumping from place to place, character to character endlessly, and just a feeling of everything being muddled.
Strip away half the heroes, tighten up the government conspiracy plot, and you have a decent storyline, although one could argue Squadron Supreme got there first.
I love Golden Age characters, and this book should have been tailor made for me, but it was just average. A few nice little bits here and there, but ultimately not enough to save the book.
December 31, 2022
Want to like this more then I do.
It's too much, too big and while there are some good moments, it's too much of a jumble.
There's sparks of characterization, but so few are allowed to be more than a type.
I like these old heroes, but this series does not do them justice.
Liked the team of the sidekicks and it's Alex Ross, so it all looks pretty.
It's too much, too big and while there are some good moments, it's too much of a jumble.
There's sparks of characterization, but so few are allowed to be more than a type.
I like these old heroes, but this series does not do them justice.
Liked the team of the sidekicks and it's Alex Ross, so it all looks pretty.
July 5, 2024
This series presents some good ideas, but they are sure taking their sweet old time to get anywhere. It just feels like a lot of nothing is happening...get on it with it already!
August 16, 2015
I didn't read the first graphic novel in the series (As a comic Bento subscriber I was supposed to get a digital version from dynamite but for whatever reason, it refused to download/move to my dropbox.) so that's where I'm coming from as a reader. firstly there are a lot of characters. almost too many. the only one you really get to know is the Green Llama. I mean there are literally 4 different superhero teams, and the smallest team had like 6 superheroes in it.
That being said, I liked the route they went, bringing a heavy dose of Greek mythology in it was very fresh for the comic world. I mean, I get Thor has the whole Norse pantheon in it, but Marvel's Greek characters are under played, so it was a nice change. this comic almost makes me want to get the previous novel and all subsequent ones.
That being said, I liked the route they went, bringing a heavy dose of Greek mythology in it was very fresh for the comic world. I mean, I get Thor has the whole Norse pantheon in it, but Marvel's Greek characters are under played, so it was a nice change. this comic almost makes me want to get the previous novel and all subsequent ones.
March 2, 2010
I much prefer Jim Krueger and Alex Ross' take/revival on public domain super heroes from U.S. comics so-called Golden Age. Unlike fellow creator Erik Larsen, Krueger and Ross have gone about giving us a cohesive story, and at least an attempt at adding some character to our players. (Larsen seems to really be shooting for 1940s tastes and recreation with his issues being multiple short stories with all action, no plot or character). Not a great read, but enjoyable enough. How you not have some fun where one of the characters is a "Boy King" aided in his quest for justice by a giant stone statue.
March 20, 2016
Alex Ross did great work with Marvels and Kingdom Come, and Project Superpowers is just as solid. The only real problem is that Dynamite has used tons of abandoned Golden Age characters (that are now public domain) without the readers really knowing who anyone is outside of ULTRA HARDCORE comic fans. Granted, I did not read chapter one (since this was in a Comic Bento shipment) but I doubt they spent a whole book introducing 30 characters. Some of the characters like Black Terror seem pretty cool, I may have to seek some other material out from this line.
May 26, 2013
The second series of Project Superpowers picks up where the last left off, and takes things into new ground as more enemies rise up against the Green Lama, Black Terror, and the other heroes freed from Pandora's urn. The artwork is again superb, setting the standard for Dynamite Entertainment titles, and the story is excellent. It is such a treat to see all of these virtually forgotten characters in action again!
November 4, 2016
An interesting story involving new threats, two double agents(one on each side), and a risen god. Sadly told in a very disjointed way. As the heroes have the ability of instantaneous transportation they can be literally anywhere in the world from page to page. Without any warning, so they may be in Washington in one frame and Greece in the next and you're expected to just keep up. But much is explained over the course of the book, leading up to a grand showdown in book 2.
May 18, 2014
I liked this better than the first "chapter" because it moved the story along better. It seemed the decent seeds from the first one flourished in this one.
July 30, 2012
This is the quintessential story of the book series going one book too far.
March 6, 2015
Se alza un nuevo espíritu directamente de los lápices y cabezas de Ross, Krueger y Carlos Paul. Introducción de Marco Ricompensa.
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March 25, 2015Segundo tomo español (y último hasta la fecha) de Project Superpowers. Publicado en la Colección 100% Cult Comics.
March 27, 2015
I might go 3.5 stars on this one if I could, but it's definitely a step up from the first series. The interior art is more solid and the story is definitely more intriguing. Decent stuff.
January 21, 2016
Nice 2nd chapter to the story line. Very good art and plot makes this a great read. Very recommended
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews