Squadron Supreme is the seminal masterpiece (Opus) from prolific writer Mark Gruenwald It promulgates mature subject matter layered with nuance and subtlety.
The drawings are bright, crisp, and has a classic outlook ( Paul Ryan is a prolific colorist that frequently collaborated with Mark Gruenwald). There are slight stereotypical standard action tropes embedded like in most comic books. The action ( violence) embedded in the comic book is not dark or gratuitous. This masterpiece is appropriate for adolescents and young adults.
The characters resemble DC Comics Justice League classic archetypes revered throughout the world ( Superman, Batman, Wonder Women, Green Arrow, Aquaman, and the Flash).
The beleaguered Squadron Supreme ( aka the Justice League) are discredited and impotent,. In this parallel universe, the mind controlled Squadron Supreme were mere pawns of an Alien Global Dictator Overlord.
In addition, Nighthawk's alter ego Kyle ( aka Bruce Wayne) assuming the role of President of the United States initiated world wide conquest of all sovereign nations In this parallel world resembling our Earth, the entire world is subjugated under USA military domination.
The Squadron Supreme prevailed against the Alien Overlord despite suffering heavy causalities.
The nuclear detonation has rendered electronic instruments inoperable worldwide. Food , clean portable water, electrical power, medical supplies, employment, peace, liberty, and security are in scarce supply. The fragile concept of democracy is in tatters. There is constant disorder, conflict, apathy, filth, and resentment of all institutions- especially government! Kyle ( as a mind controlled puppet President) was the figurehead of the global dictatorship!!
The distraught remaining members of the Squadron Supreme gather to discuss pertinent issues.
Hyperion ( aka Superman) has come to the stark realization that the entire Squadron has fundamentally failed at alleviating the root causes of i all inequities in society- creating a equal world.
Furthermore, Hyperion promulgated the proposal of tackling poverty, gun violence, nutrition, bigotry, jobs, peace, aging , and even DEATH!!! They have tremendous power to afford mankind these remarkable breakthroughs employing a non violent means.It will cost the world nothing! Except INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM!
They guarantee that they will implement these major changes within one fiscal year in exchange for the absolute control of the world's governments. Who would deny such generous offers of true Peace, Equality, Security, and Prosperity within one year? Most of the world were involved in disparate armed conflicts, rapes, looting, eating vermin, living in squalor, and chaos!!! Who would refuse the cure from Incurable Diseases ( HIV and Cancer )and Death itself?
Most governments complied with the Squadron Supreme's generous offer. On the other hand, Kyle ( aka Batman) has grave reservations and resigns in protest ( from the Squadron and the Office of the Presidency).
The Squadron Supreme progressively devolve into anti heroes throughout the duration of the year long implementation of these innovative reforms. One of these major reforms is "Behavior Modification" on violent criminals. They created a "Behavior Modification" devices that alter a a subject's personality.
This device can wipe out a person's memories and incorporate new suggestions. It is quite frightening the implications of this device. Many prisons (in this parallel world) have utilized this particular device on prisoners in exchange for parole. Many wardens have grave moral reservation about the device.
The Squadron Supreme dismisses moral qualms of these " weak ingrates" as mere exaggerations and ingratitude for their "benevolence". They concentrate on the efficiency and results of their plans- which have proven quite successful. The Supreme even dissolve all military units worldwide and globally banned guns.... of course with stark resistance from ( aka American trained military personnel and American Patriots).
Whizzer ( aka the Flash) hypocritically utilizes a Uzi when in desperate need!!! One other S.S. member questions gun holders need for weapon and the answer uproots her firmly held beliefs. The doubts come creeping in!
The fissure and doubts amongst the Squadron Supreme grow after talking with "the weak ingrates" on a personal level. Two members are questioning the motives and the methods involved in this "Utopia Paradise Movement". The "behavior modification" device is a subject of intense dispute- once it used on a member!
A immature, perverse member Golden Archer ( aka Green Arrow) uses the "behavior modification"device to RAPE his ex girlfriend upon being romantically REJECTED!! Power Princess is "raped" when an imposter assumes the role of her lover. The irony i that new brainwashed S.S. members ( slaves) can not inform Power Princess of her continuous "rape" by the imposter. Gruenwald proficiently eludes to the 'raping " of the powerful, arrogant Power Princess.
It is implied subtlety in this masterpiece. The "Power Elite" only were to use the device only on "criminals' .The Slippery Slope continues with the S.S.
The victim was plyed with sleeping gas under the cover of darkness,, adorned in revealing lingerie, and coerced into the "behavior modification" device. Now Lady Lark ( aka Black Canary) is a obsessed, love sick , insatiable sex slave who loves Golden Archer for time immemorial!! SLAVE!!!! The process is irreversible!
Furthermore, the Squadron Supreme continue with this "benevolent" global behavior modification project even though suspicions rise on the drastic personality change of Lady Lark ( aka Black Cannary). They coerced their arch villain enemies to undergo the euphemistically called "treatment". They are SLAVES without any free will since they could not refuse the "treatment".
Another Squadron Supreme 'rapist' is Power Spectrum which is implied subtle in this masterpiece. Power Spectrum is infatuated with former arch enemy Foxfire ( a beautiful African American Woman).
The writer was infatuated with beautiful African American woman.
Mark Gruenwald approaches interracial relationship psycho-social dynamics In the modern society, There are power differentials to consider. Power Spectrum pursues Foxfire and this is problematic. In one moment, he plays a practical joke on Foxfire as if they were true equals!
She rationally rebels against this intrusion of her privacy and recoils from this joke. Yet suddenly she trembles since she can not object to any Squadron Supreme's directives! It was quite disheartening scene of modern ,undetectable SLAVERY!! Is she a SEX SLAVE or does Power Spectrum really love her. He had the gall to discuss his "love" with her amidst the S.S. couples without the mention of their unethical, immoral practices of "benevolently" converting Foxfire into a supposed "Good Person".
Power Spectrum holds all the power in this "relationship" with his sex slave!! These master-Sex slave fetishes have never dissipated amongst the latent subconscious of many! Unfortunately, these tropes abound in sundry locales.
Power Spectrum paradoxically loves Foxfire spontaneity and intelligence ( even though she is a Sex Slave). What a Freudian slip to name this "couple" Power Spectrum and Foxfire!
Are modern interracial relationships fraught with these internal conflicts of power and submission?
Power Spectrum and the rest of these "benevolent" , decent "Good Guys" are not good . They are diabolically EVIL!!
Furthermore, religions are subtle dissolved throughout the world. The S.S. have found a method to Cyrano-genetically preserve human life. The devout faithful are opposed to this. The preservation of human life and the cure for incurable diseases negates the necessity of ALL RELIGIONS. The S.S. delivered on their one year promises to deliver "Utopia".
This "Utopia" elevates the "Strong" over the "Weak ingrates". Notions of Eugenics abound in this novel.
The powerful no longer have any considerations (or pretenses) for the demands of the "weak ingrates". The Benevolent fragile Balance between the "Weak" and the "Strong" ( inherent in democracy) ultimately left to weakening logical, efficient , effective policy .
The S.S. do not take into consideration all these special interest groups. They convene amongst themselves and vote amongst themselves on the course of action-Things get efficiently done!
The benevolent Utopians ( S.S) have produced amazing efficient results thus negating any influence that "weak ingrates" held ( the sick, maim, psychotic criminals, dreamers, poets, artists,writers, lazy,environmentalists, weirdos, ugly people,, fat people, philosophers, hedonists,bleeding hearts, dysfunctional people, politicians, greedy, irresponsible people, perverts,innovators, entrepreneurs, special interest groups, teachers, priests/shamans/ministers/rabbis/imans, bureaucrats, industrialists, the selfish, Religious, fringe groups, subcultures, Patriots, professionals ( physicians, lawyers, architects,), and individualist) .
The individualist is a source of consternation toward the Utopian Collective Everyone must strive toward Utopian Perfection at long last !with the aid of the S.S.!
These disparate special interest groups issues are resolved permanently at the behest of "benevolent" S.S. or ignored. Shape ( a former mentally challenged villain ) has been "behavior modified" slave working with the Squadron Supreme. The S.S. have given the "feeble minded" villain a singular purpose and role in the new order. Who could object?
The liked minded "benevolent" Power Elite Utopians shared a singular vision without any reservations for the most part. They believe they are sharing blessings with the world . The Utopian Paradise of Prosperity and Perpetual Life has diminished nostalgia for the "Old Order". The aforementioned were the problematic perennial hindrances that have been neutralized by the S.S. and the world hardly cares!
However, Nighthawk( aka Batman) assembles former villains to challenge the S.S. and to return what many consider " messy"- individual rights, "selfishness", self interest, hard work, meritocracy, democracy, diseases, and guns to our newly "blessed" Utopian Citizens (or Gilded Slaves!)! His new allies are immoral, ugly, criminal geniuses that favor the nuances of the human experience! The rejects are more humane than the "Power Elite- Squadron Supreme ( S.S.)
Nighthawk 's challenge is more perplexing and subversive-everything has been handed to the World without effort -there is no going back to concepts of God, Death, War, Hunger, Struggle, Hard work, Innovation, True Love, Research, Curiosity, Character, and Free Will!! The Squadron Supreme are the "New Gods" - a new Religion unto themselves!!! That is why Nighthawk must look to miscreant, aesthetically displeasing, weirdos, psychotic immoral villains freaks to aid him in his fight to topple S.S. Ordinary citizens are enjoying the "Good Life".
This masterpiece' s (Opus) addresses mature thematic elements with complex characters. It allows one to ponder philosophical theories and our values. The Squadron Supreme has noble intentions but are gravely devolved into moral relativism. Nighthawk ( the dissenter) has noble intentions but has gravely devolved himself into allying with dangerous criminals to restore a chaotic democratic, violent, disorderly world. There are no standard "good guys" archetypes tropes involved in this masterpiece! I highly recommend this graphic novel!
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Top reviews from other countries
Craig Cochrane
A densely packed masterpiece that puts most modern comics to shame.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2015Cabot3
Mark Gruenwald signe un chef d'oeuvre qu'aurait pu faire DC
Reviewed in France on May 24, 2010