Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: “I Know What We Did That Summer”
Written by: Marc Sumerak
Art by: Gurihiru
Lettered by: Dave Sharpe
Production by: James Tavares
Special Thanks: Aki Yanagi
Editor: Mackenzie Cadenhead
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I’ve been trying to tell people for years that kids don’t read comic books. Not only have comics surpassed their hateful bastard early years where they were despised by family and government alike, but they are actually gaining legitimacy. Trust me, kids don’t want legitimacy. The minute that a writer like Gaiman or Moore come out with a video game that wins Hugo awards, video games would stop being cool too. Then again, comics and (probably) video games can’t win Hugo awards due to Gaiman, so write a letter… you get my point.
So, why does Marvel try? I don’t know, but good for them! My entire diatribe is true, but that doesn’t make it right. The comic book form is still ripe with adventure for people of all ages. Marvel knows this – so they have given us a throwback to yesteryear in Power Pack.
Let’s address one other point that needs to be made to read this review. If you are J-Random-Comic-Reader with all of the wonderful stereotypical amenities that comes with (these include Star Wars p’jammies, have had more than one argument about Green Lantern in a non-geek setting, and are still ignoring Spider-Man until they change the webshooters back) – if you are any one of these, stop taking this review seriously. This book is geared ALL AGES. This book isn’t for continuity rating. This book is DEFINITELY not for legitimizing the entire field of comics.
This book is for kids.
STORY!
This is the story that introduces our faithful readers to the powered up pack of prepubescent pups that make up Power Pack. The simple story is that a bit of time ago, they got powered up by some weird alien thingy. Now they have powers. Pretty simple and normal origin.
This happened last summer (assumedly), as Katie Power (aka Energizer) wants to write a short story about the entire ordeal and doesn’t understand why she shouldn’t. Well the brothers and sister of the Pack need to explain to her that the minute she tells the world who the Power Pack is, there will be bad guys at their door. To prove that point, during a temper tantrum, she activates her power and a few page later.. tadah – instant villain!
So how was the book? Cute and fun. It’s what the book is meant to be, and it succeeds. I am a little concerned about the tone of the jokes. Sometimes the humor comes across as perfectly fit for a young reader, where other times the joke might go above a younger reader’s head. Add in that the story is almost a little too pedantic, even for a 10 – 13 year old. I really can’t judge with perfect accuracy since I’m a 25 year old male, and not a 13 year old girl. Oh, but if I was…
ART!
Has anyone seen this new trend in comics these days? All the kids are loving the manga, and this book reflects that with it’s flat color and wide eyed heroes. To say this book is manga influenced would be like saying Romero influenced zombie movies. (Why did THAT metaphor appear in my head… oh well) This book is heavily influenced from our Japanese comic cousins. So much, that I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a giant robot before the end of the last issue.
The art fits the book though, and I guess that’s all that really matters.
OVERALL!
This book is thankfully only four issues, as my first point addressed – kids don’t read comic books. This book isn’t like Mary Jane, where the storytelling is so good it truly stands as an all-ages title. This book is meant for kids, and god knows it probably wouldn’t last as a continuous title.
I do, though, give Marvel huge hi-fives for continuing to try to reach the kids these days. I think my idea of Linken Park – The Comic would work just as well though.
