'Super-Ego: Family Matters' features an interesting premise, a psychiatrist for superheroes. Unfortunately, the book dwells in parody rather than going in what I'd hoped would be a more thoughtful direction.
Superheroes are a bit screwed up. It takes someone with some issues to put on a suit and take justice in their own hands. When those heroes need help, they turn to Dr. Ego. He treats his patients by wearing a reflective hood over his face to reflect their faces back at him. His patients run the gamut of the familiar, but the story mainly concerns the all-too powerful son of a couple of major superheroes. This poor kid has daddy issues (and mommy issues), but he has the ability to destroy the galaxy. Then there is something strange going on with Dr. Ego's grandfather. There is some kind of secret he is keeping. Can Dr. Ego keep the kid from imploding and figure out what is going on with grandpa?
It parodies lots of existing comic book characters without naming them. This is fine, but eventually it pulls from the main story. Is the book supposed to be comedy or tragedy? Does it matter if the reader is trying to figure out who these other characters are supposed to be if they are insignificant to the ongoing story? It sounded like an interesting premise and maybe future issues will prove that out.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
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