Squadron Supreme 12 page 39 by Paul Ryan

Yes ! I finally own a Squadron Supreme page!

When I was a child, I can’t say I enjoyed the translation of that serie which seemed a bit weird to me. The characters were unknown and strange, probably too DC-like (as Squadron was created as a “parody/homage” of the JLA) for the Marvel zombie that I was (not much choice back when to my defense). The scope and themes of the serie were probably too alien and lost on my younger self. It didn’t help that I read the serie a few issues in.

It was years later that I understood how important the serie was and how it tapped in the same 80s zeitgeist that was deconstructing the super hero genre applying some real world concerns to it or analyzing the absolute power corrupts absolutely axiom in the context of super heroes.

I have always (and probably since Squadron, Watchmen or Miracleman) been a sucker for that kind of stories and remain a fan of any examples touching on those themes. This is the best writing ever done by the late Mark Gruenwald and though it is often dismissed as not fitting to be mentioned in the same sentence as Watchmen or Miracleman, it remains an enduring piece of quality work. True it does not possess any of the sophistication of Moore’s writing but again, the themes are the same if treated differently. And let’s be honest and frank, the fact that it was a seemingly straight super-hero story from Marvel commands this kind of snobbish dismissing by people claiming high and loud that they don’t read super-heroes (anymore). Well, having read the serie with an adult’s perspective, I believe it deserves its cult status and would dare to say it even deserves wider recognition still.

Though Paul Ryan would later become a much better artist, all the seeds of greatness were already present at this stage of his career. Solid art and figure work and clear if a bit classic storytelling. His art was likely a bit boring to my younger self but what did I know back then :)

The page itself I remember quite well. The last issue is a true death row of characters. The death of Foxfire is quite gruesome for a comic of that period. You clearly see the 6 holes punctured in her back (with blood running down) by Mink, the Catwoman/She-Wolverine-like character.

The fourth panel where Dr Spectrum instinctively beams her away is burned deep in my memory. To me, the scene is perfectly drawn. Spectrum’s heroic stance, the wide beam emanating from his whole body and the way Mink is tossed away in a realistic manner in terms of body language all contribute to its success.

Lamprey was a favorite in the serie of my younger self likely only for his Wolverine-like design. Here he meets his deserved demise at the hand of a “I-don’t-care-anymore” Spectrum. A classic way to dispose of energy leeching characters but how so appropriate here given the nastiness of Lamprey throughout the serie. What happens to him feels quite good and satisfying I found.

Quite pleased as you may have understood by this page from a great great serie and a great talented storyteller who left us too soon.

I don’t care much for the inks of Sam De la Rose which I find not super suited to Ryan’s pencils but they did the job decently enough.

See the additional picture for a bonus sketch of Dr Spectrum in full pencil at the back of the page.