Empowered: Deluxe Edition Volume 1 Review: Pure Eye Candy

If there is one joke in comics it’s that the women are pure eye candy. Even if they are a superhero, they must wear skimpy, skin tight outfits that leave little to the imagination. What happens when you take that joke and push too far?

“Empowered” by Adam Warren.

A comedy about a female superhero- a third-rate member of your typical Justice League team. She has no powers, no special abilities, clumsy and is nobody famous. Her only “ability” is her outfit fades away whenever it takes damage. This usually ends up with her naked and, in many cases, bound S&M style.

This is the entire comic. It’s almost as bad as those manga where it’s obvious the artist wishes he in another medium and just has a story for the hell of it.

It’s fan service of the worst kind.

As for the comedy part- it is as bad as those parody movies done by Friedberg and Seltzer. Crude, unfunny “adult” jokes that are meant to make fun of much better source material. In reality it’s a failure. Warren even has the gall to make the most overused blonde jokes. Blonde jokes are only funny to three-year olds. All other jokes, including the “bondage jokes” aren’t even funny the first time.

The artwork is a different matter. Warren has some skill as an artist. His characters are nicely drawn and actually fit into the typical “comedy” setting that this comic is meant to be. He also knows how to draw sexy women. The main character is hot in all the right places and is a perfect model for a pornographic comic.

Since this is a collection it has some extras. These include a first draft of the comic, some unused chapters, changes the “Empowered” logo went through and story notes. These would have been interesting if the comic was better done.

“Empowered” is meant to be a comedy about female superheroes, but instead falls flat due to poor story, poor jokes and an overreliance to fan service.

About Rocco Sansone 871 Articles
Rocco Sansone is a “man of many interests.” These include anime/manga, video games, tabletop RPGs, YA literature, 19th century literature, the New York Rangers, and history. Among the things and places he would like to see before he dies are Japan, half of Europe, and the New York Rangers win another Stanley Cup.

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