written by Brian Michael Bendis
illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming

First, a warning: You absolutely must read the previous Powers volume, Who Killed Retro Girl?, before taking on Anarchy. In classic Brian Michael Bendis fashion, the plot of the previous story interweaves and is referenced so much in the next story that it rewards careful reading.

For decades now, comics have been taking on the meta question of what would really happen if there were actually superheroes in the world. Would we trust them? Vilify them? Elevate them to godlike status? In Powers, the world is turning on them and questioning their need to exist.
 
Even worse, someone is murdering them viciously. Previously, Detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim were heading up the homicide investigations, but with Walker now retired for a year, Pilgrim is forced to take on a new partner. It’s an interesting mystery, but the real joy of the book (and the previous ones) is watching Bendis’s sublime storytelling unfold and realizing where the story is going. The surprises are plentiful.
 
This ongoing story is fascinating and riveting (and definitely for adults). This is good, compelling, thought-provoking stuff. If you’re not reading it, you’re missing one of the best series in comics today.

-- John Hogan

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