Super Crooks, adapted from the comic books of the same name by Mark Millar and Leinil Francis Yu, is part super-villain exploits, part heist movie. After a prologue episode, the 13-part series dives into the exploits of Johnny Bolt, a charming but obnoxious criminal who can generate and manipulate electricity. He gets together with a crack team of other super-powered criminals to carry out some high-profile scores, first against the morally righteous Union of Justice, and then against a twisted crime lord with powers of his own.

Thanks to the sheer variety of occasionally absurd superpowers on display, the action is incredibly varied, changing pace and style at a regularly blistering speed. The series’ highlight comes early on, with an electric pursuit through the San Francisco streets that finds great fun in the crew’s eccentric sets of powers (one shot also seems to evoke a classic moment from Akira). It’s not all glitz and horsepower however. Johnny’s relationship with his partner Kasey gives the story just enough of a heart, even if you wish the same detail could be afforded to more of the supporting cast.

Super Crooks is about the thrill of applause. Recognition is a key motivation for several characters. The show asks questions who exactly deserves to be remembered and what for, questions that your typical superhero narratives take for granted. Those characters who lap up the fame and adoration aren’t necessarily those who deserve it, even if they fight in the name of ‘good.’ In this sense, while there could always be room for more detail and depth, Super Crooks is as entertaining as it is subversive.

Season 1 of SUPER CROOKS is out now on Netflix