Powerless introduces a new approach to bringing comic books "to life"

Designed by Quinn Fenlon

A trilogy of comic book stories (Powerless: Issues 1-3) performed on stage by the Society of Young Superheroes (SYS) offers up hope that Chicago can be saved from destruction, incompetency, corruption and evil. Its run is through Aug. 20, at Voice of the City in Logan Square, 3429 W. Diversey Ave.

Actors perform part of the story and comic strip drawings, projected on panels to the left and above the performing area, tell more as the tale of young Logan Square superheroes unfolds.  The event, as described by SYS, has the heroes attempting to understand and develop their powers in a city where heroes are relegated to bureaucratic paper pushing and crimes are solved by non-masked, non-caped, and non-super cops.

Writers Mitch Salm and David M. Brent have created a rag tag government regulated MSCC (Metropolitan Superhero Community Committee) group and protagonists, newly graduated Milo, Massen and Maggie, who they charge with determining the role of the hero in modern day Chicago.

The result is an a three part experience that has lots of action and energy that keeps your attention, delivers some funny lines as well as an eternal youthful sense of hope and optimism despite quagmires of incomprehensible bureaucracy that seems to have no end. The musical accompaniment is very well done with original music composed by Eric Phillips.

Designed by Tyne Lowe

Directed by Jack Tamburri, the cast includes:  Havalah Grace Backus (Physic Physic), Japhet Balaban (Massen), Andy Cameron (The Flying Ace), Daniel Desmarais (Asterisk), Ariana Dziedzic (Maggie), Sarah Grant (Rebecca), Sam Guinan-Nyhart (The Fantastic Asshole), Ed Hausman (Milo), Rory Jobst (Mothefucker), Chris Mathews (Ross Finestone), Eric Phillips (Narrator), Aaron Rustebakke (Fireman), and Lisa Stran White (Vixen).

Artists who created the comic panels include: Quinn Fenlon (Lead Artist), Sam Booker, Dan Glassberg, Daniel  Killackey, Tyne Lowe, Erin McKinney, Elle Opitz, Dan Pindell, and David Scheier.

Both Issue 1 and 2 have a runtime of about an hour with Issue 3, which has an interesting story twist, running half an hour. Issue 1 is performed on Thurs. at  8 p.m., Issue 2 is Fri. at 8 p.m. followed by Issue 3 at 9 p.m. All three run on Sat. starting at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $10. For more information see their website or email   societyofyoungsuperheroes.org or email info@societyofyoungsuperheroes.org