Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities the Squadron Supreme thread

Nekkid Doc Spectrum... swEEEEEt...

Again? When did we before? And believe me, in Utah if they found out about it even a plastic bag wouldn't save it.

Issue #3 or 4 was bagged here in Dallas. The one in which Hype was sporting his costume on the cover for the first time.
The reporter got out of bed to go out to his balcony where Hype was flying. The reporter was nekkid and his whole groin was shadowed except a small portion which would represent his penis.

Similar to the Doc's in this issue but Doc's was a little more "fleshed out".

Another fine issue. I'm interested to see where they will take Knighthawk. Right now, he's not much better than the criminals he mutilates. I enjoyed Hype's talk with him though. When are they gonna bring in the Power Princess for goodness sake.

Wow... Didn't even notice it.

(Poor Dr. Spectrum... )

OUCH!

Wow -- I am liking this book more and more every month! It doesn't have any really "big" scenes (there hasn't even been any fights yet), but every issue is chock full of little moments that say alot, every issue is filled with characterization and there are important moments all the time that aren't overblown or overly dramatic, but still resonate.

Case in point: the meeting between Hyperion and Blur. Very nicely done -- two guys just chatting, checking each other out. As much as I wanted something more overt (like a handshake or a smile even), for Hype to really have a friend who understands him, this was a first step after all and there was some nice foundations laid down.

The first meeting between Hyperion and Nighthawk was equally subtle and revealing of both characters. The Nighthawk POV sequence was great -- reminded me of Robert Smeigel's "Fun With Audio" animated segments on "Saturday Night Live" and perfectly captured his attitude towards Hype and his speach without him having to say a word or for us to hear his thoughts, preserving his detachment. The never changing lynched man on the right of frame tells us what we need to know about Nighthawk. And the last line "prick" was just funny -- we've never seen a Batman/ Superman chat end that way! The added racial tension makes these two very different from the "World's Finest" -- there's a gap there that seems impossible to bridge.

And the Nighthawk design is definitely the best of the bunch so far (much better than Hype). Those intense, freaky eyes say it all.

I have to wonder though what it says about Hype that he let Nighthawk get to work unimpeded -- he's seen how brutal he can be. Despite his speech, I guess Hype really only has sympathy for the innocent.

The Dr. Spectrum bit was very troubling -- who's in control here? Will he have to battle the ship's consciousness for control of his powers? The first meeting between Spectrum and Hyperion will most likely not be the low key affairs we witnessed this time around -- especially depending who might be in control at the time.

Hey, it was probably cold out ...

It was fairly high up, I suppose... Wind Chill factor could've been a bit of a problem.

Like George Constanza says... "There was shrinkage!!"

What did you guys think was the point of the last page. The whole point of "setting things right in the world" and giving Hype something to do to keep him from going crazy.

Are we simply setting up for the formation of the squadron or is there something a bit more forceful on his mind. Like when the Squadron tried to create Utopia in their mini.

I'm just dying to meet more members. I like the emphasis and characterization they're putting on each individual member, but I'm wondering how long it will be before more powered individuals show up -in a villainous capacity or whatever.

I also enjoyed the whole sci-fi aspect of the micro-bacterial agents released from Hype's ship. It explains the sudden emergence of the powered people. I wonder how far that will go.

I can't wait to get this!!!!

JEEPERS, you guys have me on the edge of my seat to read this!!! I got it today, so I'll dive into it this weekend...!

That's what I was thinking -- the image of him holding the world in his hand (nice bit of art to have the earth reflecting light onto Hype, btw) made it hard for me to think otherwise.

LOVED THIS ISSUE!! LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!

Actually, I was wondering if Hype isn't gonna take the notion of forming the Squadron to be the "job" Stanley kept saying he needed to keep himself from going crazy. Organizing such a team WOULD be massive work.

I felt the "covering the earth with his hand" game reflected well the notion that he needs to have SOMEthing to do, idle hands being the Devil's Workshop and all that.

This issue was excellent in every way!

I can't help but think of another of JMS' major works, the tv series "Babylon 5" when reading this. I hadn't drawn any parallels before, but seeing Hyperion meet both Blur and Nighthawk makes me think of it as a smaller version of B5's interplanetary UN and how the series hinged on whether or not these disparate alien races would be able to find enough common ground to band together against the approaching darkness (which in this case would be those spore or nannites or whatever invasion seems to be coming). It was masterfully done there and he's doing an amazing job here.

******SPOILERS FOR #7*******
Naked Fish Girl Alert!! (no tuna jokes please!)
Drrr! Drrrrrdrrr! indeed -- we finally get a look at Amphibian and it's a great introduction (though brief). Without dialogue we see a sweet innocence with this character -- a loneliness that is reminiscient of Hype's longstanding plight. Too bad it leads to tragedy. The ensuing violence was also really well done - I can't sing Gary Frank's praises enough with the design work and emotion he's put into this book. He really made her look like a humanoid animal that is from the sea -- not just a water based hero.

The second big part of this book is about how Dr. Spectrum has taken over Hype's role as the U.S.'s covert super-assassin. Hyperion is starting to understand just how much of a dupe he's been and takes another step in shaking off his reins. I like how Spectrum isn't revealed until the last page, to enforce the covert nature of his actions.

I can't wait for the next issue -- it's looking to be a big ass throwdown! Will they beat each other until they decide to no longer be dupes? Will they become enemies, upsetting the notion that this series is ultimately headed towards the formation of the Squadron? Will this confrontation finally force Hype to be his own man and purseu his own agenda? Yeah, this is my favorite book on the stands right now...!

On the advise of my fellow Legion Worlders, in another thread, I have just picked up the first seven issues today.

I'll give a report on my thoughts this evening, once I have given them the read through...

Oh, and FWIW, I am coming into this fairly cold. Some of the very first Avengers comics I read as a kid featured the Squadron, so they hold a very nostalic spot in my heart. However, I have read very few of thier appearances since those early Avengers appearances circa mid/late '70s.

This is not the old Squadron. This isn't even a super-team. It a bunch of individuals and we discover why they are the way they are as they slowly come together. I'm LOVING it. I sometimes long for faster development but this issue reinforced why I need to respect the natural progression of events. BRILLIANT.
And Amphibian looks cool. She's innocent but she's totally wild also. I've never really been a big fan of aqautic characters because they are so restricted unless there's a body of water around. I hope they can integrate her into the book well.

And when are they gonna introduce Power Princess for goodness sake?

As stated, these aren't the same characters anyway, so you don't have to worry about continuity or even nods to those characters, because there aren't any aside from the names. As long as you know who the Justice League are, that's probably all the inside info you need.

Are we even really sure these guys are ever going to come together as a superteam? I think it's kind of assumed since they're based on the Squadron Supreme, but it wouldn't suprise me if it never really happens. (and if you know for sure don't tell me - I don't wanna know!! )

Thanks guys! If it wasn't for this thread I wouldn't have bothered picking Supreme Power up and I'm glad I did.

The new Nighthawk is scarey! Yikes!

And when are we going to get a new Arcanna? She had a neat name! They should get some more use out of it...

Arcanna, Power Princess, Lady Lark... I want to see them all here eventually!

Hey, maybe Arcanna will be reworked into a magical cowgirl!

YOU know... Tex-Arcanna...???

Wow, issue 7 was another goodie!

Drake, I am beginning to believe there will NOT be a team formed. If there WAS gonna be, why not call the book 'SQUADRON SUPREME'?

Can't wait for next issue's slugfest!

Amphibian sure had pert breasts for a fish! I like her already, but she might as well be an alien from Uranus. How is she going to fit in the picture? Man, this book needs to be bi-weekly!!!

Regardless of whether they get together or not, I'm sure the name change was due to the fact that it's not the Squad people are familiar with. They're close enough to use the word "Supreme" in the title, but also maybe to not step on Greunwald's maxi (maybe). And while I woudn't be surprised if they never got together, it's still a scene (and progression) I'd love to see happen -- if only because these characters are so different, it'd be fascniating to see it happen.

This actually reminds me (of all things) of "Gundam Wing" which had five main characters who were all very individualistic (well, except Quatro) who pursued their own agendas and only got together before the last act of the series (and even then, they didn't necessarily get along, their various goals happened to coincide).

The showdown next issue should be *good* -- not only because of the powerhouses involved, but because Joe and Mark are interesting sides of the same coin (as displayed in the last issue where Joe and Mark were usually on opposite sides of the planet doing their thing) -- both were trained and are in service to the government, but one willingly, one less so. One kills as the other protects. One seems to be losing his humanity as the other is beginning to discover his.

If seeing two of the Squad together is this interesting, I can't wait til three of them share a scene (which at this pace won't happend for another two years -- not that I mind if the stories are this good )

On the plus side and fortunately for us all, SUPREME POWER has pretty much stuck to schedule and avoided becoming a quarterly-or-less book like ULTIMATES.

That was my biggest fear about this book, but thus far that fear has been groundless.