Empowered, vol. 5

Writer(s): Adam Warren
Artist(s): Adam Warren
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
ISBN: 978-1595822123
Price: $14.95
Page count: 208
Year Released: 2009
Status: in print
Original Source: n/a
Other Collected Edition(s): n/a
Genres: erotica; humor; romance/relationships; satire; short stories; superheroes
Recommended for Fans Of:
Possibly Objectionable Material: violence; cheesecake; softcore sexual innuendo; suggestive language
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Also in This Series: preceded by Empowered, vol. 4

Plot Summary
This volume introduces Mind**** (fill those stars in with the f-word, 'cause I ain't gonna do that here), the mysterious telepath who operates the earth-orbiting Superteam Space Station 3. When Emp accidentally teleports onto "object 524," an asteroid that no human being is supposed to touch, Mind**** explains to her what the ramifications might be--from an interstellar point of view. We also learn that Mind**** and Sistah Spooky used to have a very close relationship.

Meanwhile, despite saving the Superhomeys (not to mention the rest of the suprahuman community) at the Capeys ceremony in volume 4, the Superhomeys continue to treat Emp as poorly as they ever did. When they decide to track down Thug Boy's old boss, Willy Pete, for the grisly murder of several low-level villains, the Superhomeys refuse to let Emp participate. Though, considering how powerful Willy Pete is, that might not be a bad thing for Emp after all.

My Own 2 Cents
This might just be the strongest volume of all, story-wise, but it's also an extremely wordy volume. And since every swear word is blacked out so you can't read it, this leaves some of the wordier text balloons looking like declassified FBI documents. It becomes a little bit annoying after awhile. If Adam Warren (or his publisher) don't want to print swear words in the book, perhaps he should start utilizing a more creative vocabulary.

But that's a minor quibble. In every other way, this is an exceptional volume. Particularly with the introduction of Mind**** who, despite her stupid name, is probably the best supporting character in the series. Her ties to Sistah Spooky serve not only to make enrich both of their stories, but also complicate Sistah Spooky's already fraught relationship with Emp (who develops a bond with Mind**** that Sistah Spooky resents).