The King Stay the King: Empowered Book 3

Empowered is:

• sexy.
• funny.
• in poor taste in all the right ways.
• quite possibly the most likeable super-hero super-chica in comics right now.
• all of the above.

Correct answer? All of the above.

Adam Warren’s sexy superhero comedy’s third volume came out a little while ago. It adheres to a classic chestnut, the old “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… unless you know how to make it better.” Empowered 3 is unequivocably better than the other books in the already excellent series.

You can’t really talk about Empowered without dealing with the elephant in the room. It’s a sexy superhero comedy with adult situations, a little bit of bondage, and a lot of broken self-esteem. Is it offensive? Is it fair? Is it right?

Honestly, I feel like the proper answer is “All of the above.” Despite the trouble she gets into, and clothes that she sheds, Empowered never gives up hope. When put into situations that would make other heroes declare “Empowered no more,” she sits down, cries, bucks up, and gets back to work.

It’s this trait that has made Empowered one of the most likeable heroines I’ve read in a long while. The never-say-die attitude that she sports is a sign of true heroism to me. Even better, when she can’t handle a situation on her own and collapses into despair, she has her boyfriend and Ninjette to help pick her up off the ground.

I can’t help but find Empowered, the character and the book alike, as it’s basically a quintessential old school superhero comic. There are life lessons learned and taught, some excellent action, and a whole heaping helping of fun. On top of that, it’s a very sex-positive book, but one that’s not afraid to poke fun at itself.

Empowered’s hallmarks are its uninked art style, plucky superheroine-in-distress (or distressed superheroine), and sexy situations. Warren expands on the Empowered formula by going a experimental with his art for a couple chapters. He inks these with a sharpie, giving it a nice chiaoscuro look. Think Sin City and you’ll be close to the mark.

Of course, there’s plenty of his normal Empowered style, as well. The scratchy, but tight, pencilwork is still great looking, and Warren’s facial expressions are second to none. Bleary, drunk, and teary-eyed Emp is cute, funny, and heartbreaking.

Of course, the highlight of the book is the final fight scene, which sprawls over a ton of pages and still manages to remain tightly paced and emotional. I don’t want to completely spoil who is involved, but we see some of Warren’s best action scenes yet and a new facet of Emp.

Overall? Empowered 3 is the bomb. I feel like everyone should be reading it, and I can’t wait for the next volume.