Power Pack #1: This Pack is Back

Power Pack #1 reunites the superhero family team in the midst of the Marvel event Outlawed, setting up a question of how Kamala’s Law will impact the Marvel Universe’s original youngest heroes. Ryan North writes the story in a way that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the team’s extensive history, choosing to sum up the Power Pack in a humorous way within the first few pages. The approach allows for an entry point for those who may have been comic readers (or in some cases alive) when Power Pack came onto the scene.

Told from the perspective of Katie, the youngest Power sibling, the story quickly immerses the character in the distinct personalities of each character and the family dynamics between them. The story leads to action when the kids learn that one of their oldest enemies is attacking…and trying to eat orphans. While some of the delivery of exposition and plot may come off as heavy-handed, it’s done in a way that comes off as poking fun at itself and referencing the times of old when Power Pack was last a running title.

Nico Leon on art and Rachelle Rosenberg on colors add personality to the pages. The Power siblings’ facial expressions and body language do as much work displaying their character and relationship as the dialogue. Meanwhile, the bright and vibrant colors set the tone for the comic. Even though the art shines best in those quieter moments of character interaction, the art team still delivers good fight scenes that are enjoyable and easy to follow.