Power Pack Issue Reviews: 2 / 15

Author: Dan Wilson and Brian Alan Smith
Created:
Updated: no later than 1998

Power Pack:
Issues 6-10

Cover, Issue #8, by Brigman and Wiacek, Copyright 1984, Marvel Entertainment Group.

6: Secrets. Written by Louise Simonson. Penciled by June Brigman. Inked by Bob Wiacek.

A good idea: bringing Dragon Man, one of the more fanciful Marvel "villains", into the lives of the four Power kids, New York's newest residents. This story suffers, though, from too many guest stars; with Dragon Man, Spider-Man (the most prominent face on the cover), and Cloak and Dagger, there's too many people for a thin plot. And Julie's notion that Spider-Man is probably just "a publicity stunt" and not a real hero, seems odd for a flying girl fresh from outer space.
Rating: Two stars

7: Man and Dragon Man. Written by Louise Simonson. Penciled by June Brigman. Inked by Bob Wiacek.

Part two of a three-part series...but it works well as a stand-alone issue. Along with the main plot of rescuing Dragon Man, this issue features page after page of nice touches, including recaps of the origins of Dragon Man (illustrated as though it were a medieval epic) and Cloak and Dagger; Alex's first attempts at flight, using spray cans; and the kids' first day at New York schools. Alex has the best day; even though the guys consider him a dork, he does meet the Incredibly Perfect Alison McCourt.
Rating: Three and 1/2 stars

8: Monsters. Written by Louise Simonson. Penciled by June Brigman. Inked by Bob Wiacek.

Another one of those "The title's about more than you think" issues. The things with the monstrous shapes are shown to be good, and the character who keeps referring to herself as a monster -- Dagger -- is the best person of all. Two humanizing touches: Jack's regret when he thinks he's killed the villain (enjoy his regret now...he becomes Young Wolverine near the series' end) and Katie's truly childish behavior ("I can disintegrate stuff! Watch! Dagger, are you watching me?quot;)
Rating: Three stars

9: Fish Tale! Written by Louise Simonson (though this book lists her under her old professional/maiden name of Jones. Don't ask why.) Penciled by Brent Anderson. Inked by Bob Wiacek.

Keeping with the theme of monsters, this is the first of a two-parter featuring Snake Eyes, a Xanthian (apologies to Piers Anthony) Boulder Crusher. Gramps (the kids' grandfather on their mother's side) takes the kids to the Coney Island Aquarium, where the giant sea-serpent is on display. The cameo from Alpha Flight's Marrina sets up her extended appearance in issue 10. Most memorable moment: Alex "convinces" Friday to live in the Hudson River instead of outer space, and Friday wisely schemes his/her way out of it.
Rating: Three stars

10: Sea Hunt! Written by Louise Simonson. Penciled by Brent Anderson. Inked by Bob Wiacek.

A nice little undersea epic, with the kids stuck over and under the ocean in battle with Snake Eyes. The story's fine, and Alex proves too smart for his own good (telling Katie to blow out the bulkhead of a ship, when a five-year-old would obviously not be up on her nautical terms.) Just don't read the letters page...it promises a huge Kymellian storyline within a year (it takes almost four) and a storyline about the old matter/anti-matter converter plans. That gets lost in the shuffle of creative talent soon to come.
Rating: Two 1/2 stars

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