Superior, by Mark Millar and Leinil Yu

Many kids have a favorite superhero that they look up to. Twelve-year old Simon loves Superior, a Superman-like immortal superhero with x-ray vision, super hearing, and freeze breath, not to mention immense strength and the ability to fly. In short, he is a perfect physical being, quite unlike Simon himself. Previously a healthy and talented basketball player, Simon was struck down with multiple sclerosis, losing the ability to walk and suffering attacks that leave him barely able to speak. He slowly lost all his former friends except for one, Chris, who makes sure to come with Simon to the movies once a week. Other than his trips with Chris, Simon lives like a turtle tucked into his shell, saddened and frustrated by his physical helplessness.

One night, Simon is visited by a monkey named Ormon, who grants him his biggest wish and changes him into a real-live Superior. Ormon assures Simon that everything will be explained in a week. Simon quickly learns how to use the awesome power he has been granted and saves people, averts disasters, solves world food shortages, and more. He even gives the local bully, who missed no opportunity to torment him when he was in his wheelchair, a well-deserved scare. Compared to his previous life, everything seems perfect.

Of course, a fictional superhero can’t come to life without causing some issues. The actor who has portrayed Superior in all the movies finds his own life quite complicated by the sudden appearance of his powerful twin. And the media is desperate to question the world’s newest hero, especially Maddie Knox, who is even willing to put her life on the line to score the first interview. But why was Simon granted his wish by Ormon? Everyone knows that nothing is free, and being given such an immense gift must come at some cost to Simon. What will the boy be willing to give up in order to retain his powers and never again return to his wheelchair?

The dialog is believable and the characters are relatable, which is no small feat when you are depicting everyone from a 12-year-old boy to a magical space monkey. The artwork is dynamic, adeptly expressing every emotion from innocence to terror. I enjoyed the alternative take on the regular superhero motif, with the hero character being more of a device than a personality. Recommended to readers of graphic novels, especially, but not limited to, superhero titles.

Check the WRL catalog for Superior.