PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #2 – Review

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #2, from Dynamite Comics on May 4th, 2022, ties the past to the future as our amnesiac hero is captured by the Clown to be used as fuel in a diabolical cloning scheme. Will our hero escape before his powers are drained dry?

The Details

• Written By: Ron Marz, Andy Lanning
• Art By: Emilio Utrera
• Colors By: Arthur Hesli
• Letters By: Tom Napolitano
• Cover Art By: Mike Rooth (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: May 4, 2022

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Was It Good?

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #2 continues Dynamite’s bid to get back into the superhero game with an issue that mixes equal parts mystery, science fiction futurism, and Golden Age nostalgia. That means it’s a success.

Marz and Lanning lean heavily on the “man out of time” motif by having our hero captured and used in a despicable experiment at the hands of another public domain villain of yesteryear, the Clown. Set in 2052, the Clown is a master of his domain and has survived beyond his natural lifespan through unethical medical practices. So far, Marz and Lanning have managed to find a satisfying balance between antiquated Golden Age characters (complete with outdated costumes) and a dystopian near-future dominated by tech advancements and ecological disaster.

The potential for silliness is incredibly high when you take antiquated characters and set them in a semi-grounded, modern context, but the writers here pull it off. The Clown IS silly in appearance but the evil of his actions is so despicable, that he comes off as more psychotic than campy, and it works. When John Doe is given a chance to escape the Clown’s clutches, the escape is hard-fought, and through the action, Clown is given a plausible motivation to give chase through the rest of the arc.

The art in this issue is, likewise, very good. The panels constructed as wide shots lack a little of the finer details, but the Utrera’s work looks great in the closeups. Also, Hesli’s coloring work is excellent.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

If you don’t recognize “John Doe”, first read our PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #1 review.

We pick up from the last issue cliffhanger with our forgetful friend captured by the Zombie State’s F-Troopers. He’s taken to the State’s HQ for questioning and examination. There, the scientists discover he has enhanced metabolism and meta-abilities. All very useful qualities for the State’s master, the Clown.

The Clown arrives to examine his new prize. Through flashbacks, we see some of Clown’s history and how he managed to survive beyond his natural lifespan. Miranda, the F-Troopers captain, is on-hand when the Clown suddenly collapses due to accelerated degeneration of his body. She helps him into a nearby machine designed to drain the life energy from prisoners in the lab.

We conclude the issue with a hijacked drone, more power, and the consequences of toxic dumping.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.

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