Review: "Superior" HC Edition

   
                                                               


  by Mike The Fanboyable


                

     Over the last several years, writer Mark Millar has given comicbook readers an intriguing alternative take on superhero conventions. In Wanted, Millar showed us the inner workings of the supercriminal world. In Kick-Ass, he showcased a teenager who decides to take his love of superheroes to a higher level by actually becoming one. In Nemesis, he took a Batman-archetype and turned it on its head by giving us an absolutely dangerous criminal mastermind.

     Now, in the lates hardcover Marvel publication, Superior, Mark Millar, along with artist Leinil Yu, takes the Superman-archetype, as well as some of the aspects of Captain Marvel, and gives us a flawlessly paced story, with richly-layered characters in this deconstruction of the superhero genre.

   
     We are introduced to Simon Pooni, a twelve-year-old wheelchair-bound boy with multiple sclerosis who, by a mysterious talking space-monkey named Ormon, is granted the wish of becoming his favorite comicbook superhero, Superior. With, not only the ability to walk, as Superior, Simon has all of the incredible powers of his icon and in the course of one week he becomes the world's greatest hero after rescuing people from natural disasters and other danger, and brings hope to the world.

                

         However, something else that is to transpire after that week is Ormon's explanation to Simon as why this wish was bestowed upon him. Is there a catch to all this? What are Ormon's true intentions?

                             

        Mark Millar does an outstanding job in fleshing out the personality of Simon Pooni. As Superior, despite his awesome power, he still behaves very much his age, and isn't sure how to act after doing heroic deeds. The Tom Hanks comedy "Big" seems to be a little bit of an influence.

                              

            This is a very compelling superhero tale that will not disappoint if you're looking for something with alot of heart as well as excitement. Leinil Yu's art is sharp and very clear. If you found Millar's previous work much to your liking, Superior should be a solid pick.