Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: James Robinson
Artists: Aco, Hugo Petrus, Leonardo Romero
Colourist: Mat Lopes
Editor: Christina Harrington
Release Date: Out Now!
Price: $3.99

In Squadron Supreme #9 writer James Robinson shows us he hasn’t run out of ideas. The issue focuses on not one but two Wonder Woman tributes: The evil Warrior Woman and good Power Princess, the latter is a stand-in for the costume-less Wonder Woman of the 1970s.

Warrior Woman has conquered the Myriad, a criminal organisation of displaced aliens, and the country of Alambra. From there she plans world domination. With help from Modred the Mystic the meglomaniacal queen learns that in order to succeed she must defeat Power Princess and resurrect Namor the Sub-Mariner, whom the Squadron killed for helping destroy their universes.

Writer Robinson through Warrior Woman’s dialogue addresses the room’s elephant. “I note that the list of those who’ve returned from the grave is a long one. I see no reason why Namor cannot be added to it,” she tells Modred. Indeed, that is the Marvel tradition.

The backup story about the powerless Power Princess harkens back to a time Wonder Woman was a spy character. She’s now channelling Jim Steranko’s Nick Fury, including her gliding the ether in a winged suit.

Main story art by Aco and Hugo Petrus is serious and detailed, providing the gravitas Warrior Woman demands. Backup story art by Leonardo Romero is a different style, slightly cartoony and with its super-clean lines and blotchy shading. Matt Lopes’ colouring bathes cities in red, matching the villain’s chaos.

Every issue of the series brings surprises and Squadron Supreme #9 is no exception. Time spent developing the characters is folded into an entertaining story without missing a beat. We’ve been hooked since the beginning and so look anxiously for the next issue.

Excelsior, in a self-referential way but without the embarrassment or the baggage……sort of.

 

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker