Here's the front and back cover from EMPOWERED vol. 5, the latest installment of my ongoing* "sexy superhero comedy" published by Dark Horse Comics, soon to hit the shelves on June 17, 2009. (EDIT: No, make that June 24, due to an unfortunate distribution problem.)

Note that the front cover does feature a few changes, as compared to the original version: [link] After depicting telepathic character "Mindf**k" in her hardshell (anti-radiation) spacesuit in the first draft of the cover, I decided to replace that image with something a li'l mo' interesting. Due to her major role in EMPOWERED vol. 5, I wanted to show Mindf**k's actual face... Plus, this gave me the opportunity to work in another important plot element : namely, the head (and lanternlight!) of the supervillainous "Anglerfish"!

You can see a wee preview of the book here: [link] Note that I got the idea for the fake version of EMP's suit having high heels from a real-life EMP cosplayer: [link]

Also, the back-cover image can be seen (larger) at: [link]

Here's a title page [link] or two [link] plus a big, bold 'n' brassy double-page spread: [link]

I should note that EMPOWERED is a "sexy superhero comedy" except when, um, it isn't. This volume features a tad less humor than previous installments, mainly because of a long, grueling, and emotionally charged story that takes up over a quarter of the book's pagecount. In said story (which closes out the volume), "Say That I Deserve This," our heroine Emp's good intentions lead to disaster... or, more accurately, a CHAIN of disasters. Still, here's plenty of the sexeh and the funneh in the REST of the volume, as indicated in the back-cover copy:

After saving much of the superhero community from certain doom, costumed crimefighter “Empowered” is dismayed to find that, in the suspicious eyes of her caped colleagues, she may have gone from being merely "an easily distressed pair of training wheels for supervillains” to possibly being a closeted supervillain herself! Meanwhile, our stressed-out superheroine must overcome other challenges aplenty, ranging from gossip-prone cosmic overlords learning Too Much Information from her mother and “cosplay” dress-up disasters at work (and in bed!) to duct-tape-happy catgirls, fiery sociopaths, orbital catastrophes, and even a surprising kiss or two... Not to mention trying to survive an emotionally charged, potentially lethal confrontation with her teammate-in-name-only (and implacable nemesis) Sistah Spooky!

You can preorder EMPOWERED 5 online at Dark Horse's retail website at: [link] or at Amazon.com: [link] Keep in mind, though, that while Dark Horse's site has the book in stock, bookstores--including Amazon-- may not get it in stock for some time yet. (Comics retailers, including online sites like TFAW, often get EMPOWERED volumes well before the bookstores do.)

Note that both sites have links for ordering previous EMPOWERED volumes, as well; or, you can quite possibly find these volumes on the shelves of of your friendly neighborhood comics retailer or bookstore, though not at MY local Barnes & Noble, annoyingly enough... And if they don't carry the books, just ask said retailer to order 'em for you; believe me, they'd be happy to take your money.

(Note: EMPOWERED vols. 2 and 3 just went back to press a month or so ago, and should be back in stock shortly.)


*"Ongoing" as in, there WILL be a vol. 6.