In an effort to keep better track of the many things I read I’m going to post brief notes anyway about each book I finish this year.  And that includes the graphic novels and comic trades I read (though I won’t write about individual issues unless they are too incredible to skip).  To that end, here are a few thoughts about the first book I read in 2016, Powers (volume 1) by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Avon Oeming.  Volume 1 collects the first 6 issues (along with some great supplemental material in the back) with the story arc Who Killed Retro Girl?

This was a great story with a cool art style.  The premise is that a special unit of the police force deals with people with ‘powers’ (super heroes and super villains) and the destruction they can leave in their wake.  One such hero – Retro Girl – is found dead and as the police investigate we learn more of the back story of Retro Girl, the police officers, and the wider world.  These six issues tell a satisfying standalone story but they also serve well to set up an ongoing universe with more stories to come from Bendis.  I enjoy a lot of his writing and thought he and Oeming worked well together on this volume.  Comixology often has the digital trade on sale so check it out if you’re interested.