Spoilers for Power Pack #1 ahead!
Marvel just accidentally confirmed that secret identities would never work—because of kids! In Power Pack #1, acclaimed writer Ryan North, artist Nico Leon, and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg revitalize the long-dormant team, bringing them into the 21st century…and making a hilarious revelation about secret identities along the way. The first of four issues, Power Pack #1 is in stores on November 25th.
Power Pack first appeared in 1984, and quickly became a critical, but not entirely commercial, success and by the early 90s, the team had faded into obscurity, even becoming the punchline of jokes. The book followed the exploits of the four Power siblings: Alex, Julie, Jack, and Katie, who were granted superpowers by a benevolent alien. Their parents never knew their secret identities, and a huge part of the original book was the juggling act the four Power kids had to do to keep their powers secret. The parents came close on occasion, and the one time they did it was quickly retconned out. The new creative team brings this balancing act back, but Katie, the youngest, almost spills the beans!
The Power parents are celebrating their wedding anniversary, and the family is reunited for the first time in a while. To celebrate the occasion, Katie drew a comic book that explained everything—how the Power kids got their powers, what their powers were, the villains they fought and the other heroes they had met. The other three Power siblings tried to convince Katie not to do it, but she was set. Ironically, when the anniversary dinner was had, she did not present the comic and no reason was given, but perhaps her siblings got through to her.
In addition to serving as a great way to catch up new readers, the comic showed just why secret identities would never work—children will tell anybody anything. This is probably why so many Marvel heroes do not have children of their own, save Reed and Sue Richards, although they were already in the public eye.
North and company have created a Power Pack for today’s readers. The creators present four siblings who love each other, despite their differences, and this is on display throughout the whole issue. The creators also know what makes Power Pack work; they know the Power parents must never find out their kids’ secrets. This played out for hilarious effect in Power Pack #1 and made a funny revelation about secret identities in the Marvel Universe in the process. Nailing the characters right out of the gate, North, Leon, and Rosenberg have created something special, that will hopefully morph into a regular series.