Über is a comic series written by Kieron Gillen (Darth Vader; Young Avengers; The Wicked + The Divine) with Caanan White (Ptolus: City by the Spire; R.R.H.), Gabriel Andrade (Crossed Badlands; Ferals) and Daniel Gete (Crossed: Dead or Alive; Logan’s Run: Last Day) as rotating artists and published by Avatar Press.
The series begins in April 1945 with the Soviet Union closing in on Berlin in what we know as the last days of the Western front. However, unbeknownst to anyone including the German hierarchy, three Übers step in and hold off the assault turning the battle in the German’s favour and placing the Allied forces on the on the back foot even though they don’t know it yet.
From there the war continues in a chaotic manner with the Germans slowly expanding their hold and regaining lost ground. While the Allies scramble to match the German’s superhuman superiority. With events like the battle of Paris and “The Second London Blitz” highlighting the sheer power of the Übers.
The comic series is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal in its depiction of war but also faithful to the events of World War 2, not trying to romance any historical figure. From Churchhill’s excessive alcohol intake to Hitler’s ego and arrogance.
The power of the Übers and McGuffin of the comic is the catalyst. A mysterious red substance that enhances 1 in 5,000 people and killing the others. I won’t speculate on where it comes from as at the time of writing I only read the first 16 issues and don’t know if it is explained later or in the following series Über: Invasion.
For anyone looking to read something different from the regular superhero comics, I would highly recommend the series. It uses familiar powers, in super strength and energy manipulation, but uses them in a different way to tell an alternate history in a more brutal and realistic way. The characters are endearing in their own twisted way, you may not agree with them but you understand why they are doing what they do.
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Le Omniverse 