Originally titled "Squadron Supreme" in its working stages, it is now called "Supreme Power" which is a new project that J. Michael Straczynski is working on for Marvel. More information as we hear about it!

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#1: Contact Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Aug 2003 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Presenting a brand-new vision of a world about to give birth to its first generation of superheroes. This new MAX ongoing series follows the origins of these new heroes - from their birth through adulthood, and examines how their lives and abilities change and shape the world around them. A hard edged, mature and deeply personal saga that pushes the limits of the comics form into new, uncharted territory. Pencils and cover by Gary Frank. Retail price expected to be $2.99. ADDITIONAL INFO: There will also be a SUPREME POWER #1 (SPECIAL EDITION) which will be an enhanced, behind-the-scenes edition that features the entire regular edition plus a new cover by Joe Quesada, original character sketches by Gary Frank, a look back at the original Squadron Supreme series that inspired Supreme Power. Retail price expected to be $4.99 and will also be in stores on Aug.6.2003. To see how this saga truly began, readers should also check out the Squadron Supreme TP (JUN031626, $29.99), also offered in July. Written by Gruenwald -- and illustrated by John Buscema, Bob Hall, Paul Ryan, & Paul Neary, with a cover by Alex Ross -- the 352-page volume collects the story that inspired Supreme Power and set the standard for post-modernist super-hero fiction like Watchmen, Kingdom Come, and The Authority. MONICA'S REVIEW: JMS sure hit the ground running with this title. It was a great first issue and sets the story up as well as beginning to introduce more characters. In case you didn't know already, Supreme Power is a retelling of an old comic book title called Squadron Supreme. Apparently, this was Marvel's tribute to the great DC characters and the Justice League of America. However, I believe JMS has truely taken it to the next level which was cleaverly illustrated in the first few pages. It starts out as a very familiar homage to the origins of Superman but you soon realize it is a much different take. I also enjoyed the references to Carter and Bush Sr. as it lends an even eerier quality to the story. As many other people have mentioned as well ... the scene with the dog was probably my favorite part of the book. I happened to read the Special Edition of this title and I liked seeing the sketches Frank did along with his comments about developing the characters. The inclusion of the Avengers comics didn't do much for me since they are not really my style. They are also quite different than the characters JMS will be presenting to us so it was a bit jarring to read. Still, it was fun to see some of the origins of the title but I would have much rather enjoyed reading why Squadron Supreme was created in the first place and why they resemble the DC characters so much. I am sure die hard comic book fans could care less about this but being new to the comic book world and highly selective of what I read, I thought it would have been helpful. OTHER EDITIONS: I have also collected the Special Edition which has a new cover by Joe Quesada; 15 pages of character sketches, and concept and design art by Gary Frank; full-color reprints of Avengers Vol. 1, #85-86 (features the original appearance of the Squadron Supreme, the classic Marvel team that inspired Supreme Powers); and an introduction by Ralph Macchio, editor of Mark Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme maxi-series. JMS AT RASTB5M SAID: SEP.7.2003 I got the impression that he doesn't like Bush I very much either from this issue. Interesting placement of the crystal, no? ;^) Actually, that wasn't in the script, that was something that Gary came up with, I didn't see it until it was in the pencils. SEP.6.2003 Well, I thought they were married or a couple already. In fact, I thought they were the same couple that found the baby in the crash, and then later they got recruited by the government to bring him up. No, the first time we see them, the guy in charge notes that they've just been introduced. I still think they were having S&M sex. It's just that "going down to the basement" is such a commonly used thing whenever writers want to characters to have S&M sex. No, they were getting away from the cameras. We note them say the line about getting away while looking past one of the cameras. AUG.24.2003 As expected, Supreme Power #1 has sold out just about everywhere, topping 100,000 copies. But that left a lot of folks out in the cold who wanted to read it. Happily, because of all the demands to see it, the entire book has been made available to read on-line at: Wizard Universe MAY.15.2003 I noticed that it wasn't in the July previews, after it had been set for July 16th, and inquired of Marvel because we're well ahead on art and scripts (I'm working on issue 5 at the moment). They explained that they'd wanted to debut the comic at Wizard Con (either Philly or Chicago, I can't now remember), but since I couldn't make it, they pushed the debut to August 6th, which allows us to get even further ahead on scripts. Once it hits the ground, we won't have any basis for missing any pub dates for at least half a year, if not more. APR.19.2003 I've always heard that the pub date is July 16, and thus far nobody's said anything to the contrary. I can't see any reason why there would be a delay, since we're now 4 scripts ahead and the first issue is through pencils, inks and lettering. MAR.5.2003 The first three scripts are in, have been for a while, and we're now well into pencils on issue two. The book is set to debut July 16th. It's really pretty spiffy so far. JAN.12.2003 The first issue, drawn by Gary Frank of Midnight Nation, is due to hit stores around March 16th. JAN.6.2003 I'm working with Gary Frank and Joe Quesada on the art and look of the book, which is very cool.

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#2: Five degrees of Contamination Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Sep 2003 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: In a world with no heroes, what happens when powerful superhumans emerge? And now that the government knows that superbeings exist, what lengths will they go to use them for their own purposes? J. Michael Straczynski tells a hard-edged, mature and deeply personal saga that pushes the limits of the comics form into new, uncharted territory. Supreme Power #2 continues the story of Mark Milton, the alien boy at the center of 'Project Hyperion' and destined to become one of the most powerful and dangerous beings on face of the Earth. But issue #2 also introduces other key cast members, including Corporal Joe 'Doctor' Ledger, a covert military operative whose fate will intertwine with Milton. JMS AT RASTB5M SAID: SEP.3.2003 Does anyone know why "Supreme Power #2" was delayed from the September 3 solicitation to September 10? Marvel wanted to let retailers have one additional week after the debut of issue 1 so they could evaluate reader interest and increase their orders. We're 'way ahead on scripts, with #6 turned in, and 4 already inked and lettered. AUG.9.2003 In any event...my thanks to all who picked it up, and we're off on something quite extraordinary, I think, because the issues to come just go from strength to strength. Issue 2 is an absolute kick in the head. JMS AT NEWSARAMA SAID: AUG.6.2003 There's a great piece on the first page of issue #2 where you're looking at a character not moving for the whole page, and you think you're just looking at captions under what we're looking at...then you realize it's something else when you hit the end of the page. Little things that take different approaches to storytelling that aren't meant to stick out really, but which cumulatively allow me to tell a story in a different way. AUG.6.2003 The Princess -- I can't use the term Power Princess, it's too She-Ra for my tastes -- is kind of an anomaly and a mystery because she's the only one who was here before Hyperion's arrival, potentially thousands of years before his arrival. Which raises the question of where she came from, and what if any her relationship is with Hyperion. We catch a glimpse of her in issue two, "Six degrees of Contamination," which gives us a look at Dr. Spectrum, Nighthawk, Princess and two others. AUG.6.2003 In #2, we see the first glimmerings of the other characters who will become central characters, we see how they begin to take the steps that will bring them into their destiny as Nighthawk, Dr. Spectrum and others. We'll see Mark as a teenager trying to blend in as a normal person, with some fairly unfortunate results. And we'll continue to follow his "parents" dealing with who and what he is.

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#3: Coming Out Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Oct 2003 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: When reports of a secretive government project "Hyperion" begin to surface in shadowy circles, investigative reporter Jason Scott starts to see a connection. And when he tracks down a woman who swears that she and her husband found a baby who crash-landed a spaceship in a cornfield, he thinks he has found the key. What will the government do if he uncovers their secret super hero? Will they let Jason continue to uncover details ... or will they silence him? ADDITIONAL INFO: There is also an image of the virgin cover which is not available for sale anywhere but what Marvel sent out to preview the comic. JMS AT NEWSARAMA SAID: AUG.6.2003 In issue #3, Hyperion is covertly used for the first time by the government, with very impressive results, but the thing about secrets is that they have a way of getting out, and we follow the story of a reporter who is on the trail of what he thinks is a new military weapon...except this one comes knocking on his front door one night.

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#4: Assumed Names Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Nov 2003 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Who is the Whizzer and what does he have to do with Hyperion? All this and Nighthawk strikes! ADDITIONAL INFO: There is also an image of the virgin cover which is not available for sale anywhere but what Marvel sent out to preview the comic.

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#5: Unknown Title Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Dec 2003 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: The Blur steps into the spotlight in the latest issue of J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank's new ongoing series. How does this super-speedster fit into this startling and realistic vision of a world being introduced to its first generation of superheroes?

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#6: Unknown Title Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Jan 2004 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Featuring the historic first meeting between the two deadliest men on the planet -- Hyperion & Nighthawk!

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#7: Unknown Title Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Feb 2004 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Jump on board one of the biggest hits of the year as it starts a new, second major story arc! Another new super power rises out of the "depths" of obscurity -- Amphibian! Plus: witness the first (and possibly last!) climactic meeting of Hyperion and Doctor Spectrum!

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