Book Review: C.O.W.L. vol #1

Book: C.O.W.L. volume #1: Principles of Power (issues #1-5) by Kyle Higgins and Alec Sigel with illustration by Rod Reis

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

Welcome to the "Chicago Organized Workers League"- the world's first Super-Hero Labor Union! While C.O.W.L. once stood as a beacon of hope against an epidemic of organized crime and an unbeatable "brotherhood" of Super-Villains, the union now faces its fiercest foe yet-a disillusioned public. In targeting the last of the great villains, C.O.W.L. attempts to prove its value to the world and to each other, while staving off villainy from both outside and inside its offices.


Rating: 1 star

Review:

Based on the premise, I really thought this was going to be a good read but C.O.W.L. is a slow moving boring story. The characters were miserable and really unlikeable to the point that I didn't care what was happening to them.

I felt like the writing was trying too hard to be edgy that the story got lost. The artwork has this retro look to it with the colors resembling watercolor.

The story is set during the 1960s and follows a group of superheroes who are finding it easier to stop the villains than deal with the politicians who are thinking about disbanding the superhero organization especially after contract negations stall. Strikes break out making it heroes vs. the city. Underlining all of this is a mystery that someone was selling off old projects and putting them in the hands of villains.

I can see what this was trying to do but it didn't work out. It has this Watchmen/Mad Men quality to it but without the character development and engaging story. There is nothing really interesting about this, it's a total bore.