To say that I am a fan of Powers would be an understatement. It is because of Powers that I am reading comics again, after over a decade away from the medium. So I will admit my expectations for the return of Powers may have been set a bit high, but in any event, this issue fell a little flat with me.

The issue starts with what felt to me like a misstep, as Enki Sunrise fights with a random criminal who happens to bear a strong resemblance to Joss Whedon, hammered home by the character’s “Mutant Enemy” jacket. A wink and a nod to a real life person can be fun, but for me, this was too direct, and really pulled me out of the story just as it was getting started.

The story arc begins in earnest as Walker and Sunrise are asked to investigate the death of “Z”. An extended flashback fills us in on Z’s backstory, as we learn that Z, along with Walker and two other powers,were a super-powered Rat Pack back in the day. Walker being part of a 1950s super group was immediately unappealing to me–the idea that Walker is immortal with a past more mysterious and convoluted than even Wolverine’s is one of the few aspects of Powers’ story that I have really not bought in to. But I felt this idea was sold even worse, with another excessively on-the-nose allusion as Walker and company were introduced with a sign advertising an appearance by the actual Rat Pack in the background. Because *they* are like the Rat Pack. Get it?! Bendis is capable of writing with a much more subtle touch than this issue demonstrated.

Despite my nitpicking, this wasn’t a bad issue. Although I don’t love the idea of the story, and some of Bendis’ storytelling was overly clunky, the dialog was excellent as always, as well as a few nice character moments between Walker and Sunrise. Oeming’s art is strong as always, although nothing quite so breathtaking as to justify the long hiatus. I remain excited about monthly issues of Powers coming out, and am curious to see where this story will go, but for now, I can’t help feeling a bit let down. But I will absolutely be back next month.