Issue(s): Power Pack #59
Cover Date: Oct 90
Title: "At the circus!"
Credits:
Michael Higgins - Script
Michael Higgins & Seth Kruchkow - Plot
Tom Morgan - Penciler
Tom Morgan - Inker
Mike Rockwitz - Editor

Review/plot:
Alex Power is losing his hair.

So he goes and gets a crew cut.

The Power dad, meanwhile, has noticed his daughter expressing interest in boys.

And he assumes that Alex is going through puberty.

The main story for this issue features the Circus of Crime. The rich prince that Julie has taken an interest in is going to be at the circus, and the Ringmaster is trying to convince his Circus mates that they should give up their life of crime because they aren't "any good at it".

Meanwhile, the Elan Infant Terrible and the guy that no one will admit is Toro say goodbye to Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman before leaving for space.

Franklin is first dropped off at the Power place so he can go to the circus with them. On his way up he meets a Mrs. Masters, who has a special son of her own. He doesn't make the connection to Alicia Masters or her stepdad, the Puppet Master.

Then, once they're out in space, the Elan decides that he wants to join Power Pack.

Back at the circus, the rest of the CoC don't take Ringmanster's advice.

The prince's gem winds up in the Ringmaster's hands, and he gives it back to the prince, and uses his hypnotic powers to convince everyone that nothing bad happened.

In the end, crazy, near catatonic mom has space eyes.

And Alex's changes start to go beyond hair loss.

It's so weird what's happening to this book. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with a Circus of Crime appearance in Power Pack, but it's played for (bad) comedy, and the focus of the book is really the bizarre stuff going on with Alex, which is like the longest build up to a plot resolution that no one wants. And the art is really terrible too. Just a shame.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A