PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #4, from Dynamite Comics on July 6th, 2022, reveals the tragic fate of Black Terror after a damaging fight with Dynamic Man. Meanwhile, the team heads out to rescue President West, only to find the true power behind the attacks that split the country apart.
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: July 6, 2022
Was It Good?
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #4 is a banger of an issue with plenty of action, stakes, reveals, and a cliffhanger that does what every good cliffhanger should do – keep you guessing.
When last we left John Doe and Team Terror, we learned Black Terror was still alive but in less than ideal shape. We learn the circumstances behind Black Terror’s present condition, how he’s managed to survive with help from another recognizable ally, and what the team plans to do to restore Black Terror, and possibly the country, to former glory.
Marz and Lanning layer on plenty of action to move the story forward, as well as motivate the characters to take action for whatever challenge comes next. The fights don’t merely supply eye candy. They move the players into specific positions to set up a big finale in the next issue.
The minor downside is a criticism of Dynamite and not the creators. There are so many Easter Eggs and references to characters not seen, in some cases, for years. Shame on Dynamite for keeping Project: Superpowers on a shelf, gathering dust for too long. A reviewer shouldn’t have to look up several character names and references to be reminded of who’s who. If you’ve got them, use them.
Utrera, Hesli, and Napolitano turn in some darn fine work in this issue. There are plenty of meaningful fights in this issue that further the story and establish just how powerful the main villain is compared to our heroes. You see the heroes get outclassed in terms of strength, speed, and brutality, so the disparity in power levels makes the challenge seem insurmountable, as it should.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our review of PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #3 before diving into this issue’s details.
We begin with a flashback to one of the fractured states populated by cybernetic hybrids under Dynamic Man’s control. A group of humans tries to sneak away to avoid capture, but Dynamic Man’s minions corner them for assimilation. Suddenly, Black Terror and his allies sweep in to save the day, but at a painful cost to Black Terror and a deadly cost for one of his allies.
Now, Black Terror manages the teams remotely while the damages he sustained in his battle with Dynamic Man ravage his body. With Scarab’s scientific genius, Black Terror remains useful and keeps the cybernetic virus at bay. They theorize the finding allices to Pandora’s urn may restore Black Terror to health and resolve the fractured state of the country. But first, the team needs to rescue the kidnapped President West.
Bobbi, John Doe, and the rest track down the President’s location and find the villain who originally sent John Doe into a coma – The Revolutionary – a twisted and evil version of Fighting Yank. The Revolutionary swiftly wipes out the team and brings a beaten John Doe before The Revolutionary’s master.
We conclude the issue with a heartbreaking reveal and oblivion.
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Final Thoughts
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PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES #4 is a killer (no pun intended) issue in the series that puts the remaining group of heroes at a shocking disadvantage when the true villain of the story is finally revealed. The action comes fast and furious and moves the story forward, Black Terror’s back story infuses the issue with layers of motivation and urgency, and the cliffhanger sets up an unpredictable future.
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