THE MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN THE UNIVERSE . . !

“Saab Lofton’s latest work, The Matriarchs, cuts brave new ground in the superhero/sci-fi genre, with an all-female superhero team that combines brains with brawn and a social conscience to get the job done. It is a creative decision whose time has certainly come, and it’s a bit puzzling that no one has done it before. Lofton, the most original writer in the New Millennium, gives us a widely diverse cohort of characters: Captain Thunder, a Nordic librarian with an abusive husband, who conjures herself into having the combined powers of the Norse gods Balder, Odin, Loki, and Thor [hence the magic word, B.O.L.T.]. Ghostshadow, a black stuntwoman and world class martial artist, who obtains a suit that renders her invisible and intangible. Vengador, an impoverished, gigantic Mexican outcast as a girl, who grows up to hold the world wrestling title over male opponents, and whose millions from her winnings support the other Matriarchs. The Elemental, a Native American grandmother who is granted the powers of wind, fire, water and earth by the medicine spirits. Most unique of all, Dragonwoman, a thousand-year-old half Human, half dragon with a brilliant intellect, but who can only emit hisses instead of words, making communication with others a bit of a difficulty, which the other Matriarchs, a bit exasperated, work to overcome. Each woman is a distinct individual, and they don’t always agree with each other, but their chemistry as a team is scintillating. Enjoyable and fresh, they make great strides for women’s empowerment. Lofton’s trademark unexpected and droll humor in a dire situation is in fine form here; living in different parts of the world, the women try to ascertain the best means of alerting each other when they are needed as a group, and Vengador suggests, not an ‘Avengers assemble!’ cry, but ‘maybe we should all exchange phone numbers or something …’ Saab Lofton’s encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture combines with his scholarly background in the arts and social sciences to make this work a bobsled ride of entertainment, through an icy course with probing social questions. He has opened new doors in the superhero mansion, and added new stars to the universe.”