Super Real

    (Super Real, 2005)
™ and © Super Real Graphics

Super-powered augmentation caught on reality TV. This book lays it out plain: it’s the action of Survivor coupled with the sexy young cast of The Real World. Unfortunately, we don’t get any of that in the first issue. Super-Real burns a lot of page space introducing us to the cast, phoning them to offer the gig, giving them farewells with their parents, and embarking them on planes. If this is essential set-up for what’s to come, fine, but it doesn’t seem to have any significance beyond establishing some relationships that probably won’t re-enter the picture anytime soon. That’s a mighty slow pace for an indie book in the most glutted genre of a glutted market to take.

While there’s nothing wrong with the art style, its undertaking is a little hard on the eyes; it appears to have been colored directly from some none-too-tight pencils. Super-Real could be going somewhere great, but it better undertake the journey a little faster.

— Brendan McGinley

From the Comics Buyer’s Guide:

A model, a weight lifter, a struggling music producer, and several others are selected to a) be enhanced with super-powers and b) appear on a TV reality show (hence the title, Super Real). Yes, the super-hero reality thing has been done, but this promises a very different approach.

The story so far seems to be pure prologue. (That’s not a problem per se; the best part of American Idol is the auditions!) Readers are introduced to the characters, whose personalities are established. Failing dotcom owner Shana has attitude. Up-and-coming model Kityana is self-absorbed and exasperating. And the show’s 4-foot, 8-inch producer promises to add color. Readers are, no doubt, in for good times when they meet.

The art is a little rough but it should appeal to readers raised on manga (or fans of Dead@17’s Josh Howard, who is spotlighted in this issue). The best parts, however, are the photo cut-ins. From computer screens, movie posters, and license plates to hedges and entire cityscapes, the real world intersects Martin’s cartoony world to interesting effect.

— Jack Abramowitz
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
Super Real #0

November, 2004
Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $30.00 		Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real #1

November, 2005
Cover Price: $3.25
4 copies available from $2.50 		Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real #1 Variation A

November, 2005
Cover Price: $3.25
1 copy available for $1.99 		Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real #2

February, 2006
Cover Price: $3.25
1 copy available for $7.98 		Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real #3 Variation A

August, 2006
Cover Price: $3.50
3 copies available from $12.98 		Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real Special Edition #1 Variation A

February, 2007
Cover Price: $3.50
1 copy available for $7.99 		Cover A by Jason Martin: 2 Girls in bikinis on cover; Super Real vs The Comic Book Industry; B&W Jason MartinBoo, Jason Martin, Edward Pun, Jim Mahfood, Daniel Campos
Super Real Special Edition #2 Variation A

November, 2007
Cover Price: $4.99
1 copy available for $1.99 		Cover A by Jason Martin; Indicia notes as Super Real Special Volume 2; Super Real vs. The Comic Book Industry Jason MartinJason Martin
Super Real Special Edition #2 Variation B

November, 2007
Cover Price: $4.99
1 copy available for $4.25 		Cover B by Jonboy Meyers; Indicia notes as Super Real Special Volume 2; Super Real vs. The Comic Book Industry Jason MartinJason Martin