happybirb's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hperks18's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nkives's review
3.0
Enjoyed the book. the art makes it a little rough as in first issue I wasnt sure who was who
iffer's review
3.0
While I enjoyed reading C.O.W.L., it definitely has its weaknesses and likely wouldn't appeal to many people. I find the idea interesting, a kind of a genre reconstruct/speculative fiction about what it would be like if there were superpowered humans whom everyone knew about, and who needed to have jobs, because they're not all independently wealthy like Bruce Wayne, or a the CEO of a tech company like Tony Stark. I'll admit that no little of my interest in this series was because it was set in Chicago. It turns out that that was a good choice by Kyle Higgins, because he can capitalize on the stereotypically famous things about Chicago, such as government corruption, gangsters and the skyline (albeit sans the Willis Tower, since the series is set in 1962).
The strength of C.O.W.L. is how it explores different themes, such as labor disputes and corruption, not generally seen in comics, but Higgins's writing also sometimes comes off as preachy. The other huge problem is that none of the characters are particularly likeable, and, while I understand that this is supposed to underscore the moral ambiguity of the the organizations that are supposed to be working towards Chicago's common good, including C.O.W.L., it makes the series unpalatable. This may be less of a problem as the series goes on, if the characters are developed in such a way that readers can still root for them despite their flaws, but, although it sounds mean, I doubt that this will be the case. Although I recognize that it's difficult to introduce a large cast of characters, even after the entire first trade paperback, I couldn't keep the characters or their powers (or lack) straight. It sounds terrible, but aside from the black guy and the woman, I had to keep flipping to the beginning reference about the characters' roles and abilities.
As far as the art goes, I really like Rod Reis's art, which featured a restrained color palette in a painterly noir style.
The strength of C.O.W.L. is how it explores different themes, such as labor disputes and corruption, not generally seen in comics, but Higgins's writing also sometimes comes off as preachy. The other huge problem is that none of the characters are particularly likeable, and, while I understand that this is supposed to underscore the moral ambiguity of the the organizations that are supposed to be working towards Chicago's common good, including C.O.W.L., it makes the series unpalatable. This may be less of a problem as the series goes on, if the characters are developed in such a way that readers can still root for them despite their flaws, but, although it sounds mean, I doubt that this will be the case. Although I recognize that it's difficult to introduce a large cast of characters, even after the entire first trade paperback, I couldn't keep the characters or their powers (or lack) straight. It sounds terrible, but aside from the black guy and the woman, I had to keep flipping to the beginning reference about the characters' roles and abilities.
As far as the art goes, I really like Rod Reis's art, which featured a restrained color palette in a painterly noir style.
ciska's review
4.0
I loved the graphics of this book. Most of them are in black/white or sepia and colour is used to make certain parts stronger. The drawings are not very detailed but important things are lifted out with detail making the picture stronger most of the time.
The story is interesting, having all these superheroes who solved all the problems and are now without a job. Corruption, people loosing it and others still believing in the cause.
The book starts with a map of Chicago explaining the different district and a character list. This kind of gave me a scare as I had an ebook and it is not really convenient to flip back and forth in the book. For the characters this did bother me at points the map not so much. In the back are some files describing all characteristics and a biography of the main characters.
The story is interesting, having all these superheroes who solved all the problems and are now without a job. Corruption, people loosing it and others still believing in the cause.
The book starts with a map of Chicago explaining the different district and a character list. This kind of gave me a scare as I had an ebook and it is not really convenient to flip back and forth in the book. For the characters this did bother me at points the map not so much. In the back are some files describing all characteristics and a biography of the main characters.
old_tim's review
4.0
A truly missed opportunity that devolves into Watchmen pastiche.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2014/11/which-side-are-you-on.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2014/11/which-side-are-you-on.html
spelingexpirt13's review
2.0
C.O.W.L Volume 1: Principles of Power takes an interesting premise and then kinda ruins it. The Chicago Organised Workers League is a union for superheroes, they make sure they get hired, paid and given pension pots. COWL are in the middle of a fight with the Mayor over boring things like pay and healthcare, despite the relatively boring subject matter I found the meeting scenes to be quite interesting even though all of the characters are arrogant idiots.
The only character I actually liked in any of this was Radia, it’s the 60s so she’s facing levels of sexism her male colleagues have never even thought of. I enjoyed the bits that focused on her just kicking ass.
Read the rest of the review at Bent Spines
The only character I actually liked in any of this was Radia, it’s the 60s so she’s facing levels of sexism her male colleagues have never even thought of. I enjoyed the bits that focused on her just kicking ass.
Read the rest of the review at Bent Spines
aemowers's review
3.0
It was...ok. Not quite enough world building to get a sense of the writers’ vision of Chicago, and the relationships between each of the characters is frustratingly vague. It’s like if The Boys and Mad Men had a really, really boring baby.
nomiddlename's review
3.0
This gets 3 stars mainly for the art, which is great. The story didn't really grab me, apart from the sub-plot of Radia and energy-draining guy fighting crime and sexism together. Could have done with more of that and less of the boring union politics.