God and Science: The Return of the Ti-Girls

This latest effort from the renowned Hernandez lovingly fuses the spirit of Silver Age superhero comics with the ongoing soap opera of Maggie, the former-mechanic now turned manager of a shabby Southern California apartment complex. Recent stories have seen her noting one of the complex's residents appearing to be Alarma, a mysterious super-woman. Maggie's suspicions prove right on the money as Alarma's secret world of comic book-style superheroic adventure lures in Maggie's young friend, Angel, who is revealed to possess the "gift" of superpowers inherent in all women. The young wannabe superhero dogs Alarma's trail as the veteran heroine follows the trail of destruction left by the spoiled socialite Penny Century, who finally gets the super-powers she's long craved, but wields them without a lick of wisdom or restraint. When the efforts of Alarma's team, the Fenoms, fail to quash Penny's rampage, it's up to the aging team of the Ti-Girls to put things to right. For what's essentially an evocative throwback to the kid's superhero comics of yore, there's a lot going on here%E2%80%94youth versus seasoned oldsters, absolute power corrupting absolutely, mother/child dysfunction%E2%80%94and it's all wrapped up in a package of terrific dialogue, stellar artwork, and enough raw fun to drown in. (July)