Peace In Our Time? ‘The Power Fantasy’ #1 Advance Review

What of there were only six superposed people, living in real time and ageing in real time too? And the fate of the Earth depending on these six living in harmony with one another? Something that does seem to be the case in writer Kieron Gillen and artist Caspar Wijngaard new Image Comics’ series, The Power Fantasy #1.

And like much of Gillen’s previous writing, there is just enough detail included to help flesh out this alternative timeline, but with more mystery and unanswered intangible questions by the end of the debut issue than comprehensive answers. More than enough to fascinate and draw the reader in. 

Our story opens up in New York, 1966 with two of the six superpowers beings – the cerebral Etienne and Amazonian Valentina, philosophising over the nature of empire-building and world salvation. And it’s in this one-to-one conversation we start getting hints as to the superpower being roles in this alternative history with a strong suggestion Valentina was involved with the Bay of Pigs crisis of 1961, while Etienne Lux has done something, something secretive, that Valentina herself pities him for doing and that others will hate him for. A balancing act of sorts, a pax between the super folks not to fight. 

And so a plan is laid out and the mystery of what happened, when and by whom and across several decades is put into play. And, more pressingly, what will happen next? Especially as the two friends are discussing a benevolent takeover of the world with the opening line, “Of course, the ethical thing to do is take over the world,” as spoken by Etienne. But, friendly fascism it’s still fascism and for now, at least in 1966, the idea is put to rest. The inclusion of such lofty discussions is another trope Gillen employs a great deal, often building whole series around certain philosophical discussions, much as he is doing here in The Power Fantasy. But, as this is Gillen and Wijngaard’s brave new world, and not the 616 or the DCU, all bets are off as to how this will end.

Fast forward to 1999 and the fragile, eggshell peace kept in place only with the consent of the super-powerful people working in the shadows. And even more mystery. And the introduction of this story’s villain, the dope-smoking antithesis of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, known only as Heavy. A character who’s introduction, shall we say, gets the who dramatic and startling storyline underway with a bang. Its a bold move and one that immediately sends ripples out across the globe that Etienne, Valentina et al will need to deal with. 

But, once all is said and done and I reject back on this dynamic debut, the one question that comes to mind is not ‘Who watches the watchmen?” (trust me, there will be plenty of Watchmen comparisons made when others review this comic), but who made Etienne Lux the arbiter of ethics for the whole of the planet? And that is a question that will, no doubt, fuel a good part of this enthralling timeshifting storyline. All beautifully and meticulously detailed by Wijngaard who’s crisp, clean lines beautifully render a New York that is so familiar, with its busy, bustling urban vibe, vibrant colours and tough, tall Brownstone townhouses. A world in which you could not imagine two beings of immense power discussing the best way to keep the world in check. A peace that is very much broken by the end of this first issue with a cliffhanger that will want you to jump forward a month to pick up the second issue. For someone who enjoys quoting the pacifist Bertrand Russell, Lux doesn’t seem to follow in his footsteps when push comes to shove. Or, like Russell, does Etienne justify his actions as prefrerrable to the alternative?

The Power Fantasy #1 is a stunning, shocking and gripping first issue and out this week from Image Comics.