Simon was a normal kid with a great life, until multiple sclerosis hit. He lost the ability to walk, went blind in one eye and sometimes barely had the muscle control to speak. Every night, Simon would pray his multiple sclerosis somehow would go away. "Somehow" turned out to be a magic monkey named Ormon, who granted Simon one wish. And the 12-year-old boy stood transformed into a real-life version of Superior, the legendary comic-book hero. As Superior, Simon spent one glorious week saving those in need, averting natural disasters - becoming the most-beloved man on the planet. But Ormon ominously cautioned Simon all would be explained in one week. Will Simon be forced to go back to life in a wheelchair after being the world's greatest hero? Faced with adversity, will he prove himself to truly be... Superior...?

Superior collects together issues #1-7 of the comic book mini series by Mark Millar and Leinil Yu. At it's heart, this is a homage to Superman and numerous other superhero creations.

We are introduced to Simon Pooni, whose future is drastically altered when he discovers he has multiple sclerosis. Now, confined to a wheelchair, young Simon is finding it hard to look on the positive side. When a talking monkey in a space suit appears before him, Simon is offered one wish. Simon's wish is to become Superior, the superhero character that has appeared in his own movie franchise. When Simon is transformed into Superior everything seems to be looking up. He's saving the planet and rejuvenated the career of the actor who played Superior in Hollywood... but that space monkey may not be all he seems.

Mark Millar's Superior is about as cliched as they come, but that doesn't stop this from being a great story. And you can count the numerous Superman references, if you like, for added amusement. Leinil Yu's artwork wonderfully compliments Millar's script.

No, it's not original; no it brings nothing new to the table; but, yes it's well written and beautifully illustrated. This is an enjoyable modern take on the superhero universe.

8

Nick Smithson