(To be honest, this is more a review of the whole run.)
How do I continually get my heart broken by series like
this? Regular readers know that I don’t care for a lot of the headliner
Avengers titles these days. Instead, the best team books seem to be the ones
hanging out on the fringes of the Marvel U. Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers,
MODOK’s 11, Mystery Men, Thunderbolts, I could go on and on about the best
Marvel team books. And Superior Foes deserves to be in that conversation.
I picked up this series because when I chatted with artist Steve
Lieber at a con, and he seemed really excited about the book. Not only did I get a
great Snow Job sketch, but I also found a fantastic series.
Historically and almost thematically, this series picked up
after Jeff Parker’s wonderful run on Thunderbolts. I wasn’t tremendously familiar
with Nick Spencer’s work, but from the opening pages of the first issue, this series
boasted top notch characterization, laugh-out-loud moments, and an
entertainingly confusing plot. The Sinister Six (who have only 5 members)
consist of Boomerang, Beetle, Speed Demon, Shocker, and Overdrive. This mix of
classic, new, and legacy villains was a delightful ensemble. Even though
Boomerang was a raging jerk, you couldn’t help pull for the guy. With
supporting appearances from Mach-V, Chameleon, Silvermane, Punisher, Owl, and a
lot more, this was firmly planted in the Marvel U.
Of course, as we learned in this issue, we have had a darn
unreliable narrator for the entire series. Boomerang isn’t exactly trustworthy.
The last issue (like many of the others) has a lot of late reveals and
explanations that our guide didn’t want to let go too soon.
Spencer really proves himself in one aspect. He leaves the Marvel
U richer than he found it. Boomerang has had some moments of characterization
before. But the new Beetle being Tombstone’s ambitious daughter? Overdrive
pining to eventually become an Avenger? Who knew that Speed Demon had a soft
spot for dogs? And Shocker, truly, his potential is the most surprising (or
not). These goofballs are the type of characters that drew me into the Marvel U
when I first discovered it as a kid. The costumed villains can have lives just
as rich (or richer) as those of the super-heroes.
Aside from a few fill-in issues that couldn’t live up to the
standard set by the rest of the series, this run is the child of Spencer and Lieber.
The book wouldn’t have worked without Lieber’s art. In addition to solid super-heroics,
Lieber shows off a tremendous sense of comedic timing. His art direction
seamlessly flows between drama and comedy. And his action scenes? He rarely if
ever delivers them straight. If there is a fight in an issue of this book, you
are going to get something new and special. The pacing of the fight scenes
keeps the book moving at an amazing pace. Sure, the world is never at risk, but
a LOT happens throughout this run. Lieber’s gritty but clear pencils are key to
making that fast pace work.
Folks, this is an EXCELLENT comic. The type of comic you can
look back on fondly and realize that you’ve discovered a hidden gem.
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