Broken Frontier

Amber Atoms #1

By Tonya Crawford

In an alien federation of planets and beings a formerly war-like alien race is seeking a peaceful place at the table of governance…or are they? Meet Amber Atoms, teenager working in her parents’ junkyard. They’re just your average blue-collar family, right? Then why does Amber’s dad so resemble a hero who once saved the universe?

Image Comics has been building a reputation lately for producing comics featuring young heroes with a lot of the typical attitudes and problems of young people… plus a few more on top. Kelly Yates’ Amber Atoms is a welcome addition to that line. There is a little bit of the "Luke Skywalker complex" here but it is countered by Amber’s temper and her more mundane dreams. And if Yates’ art style reminds you of Image’s Invincible that would be because he’s handled a few of those characters before. The warm, fun, smooth style is perfect for this sci-fi adventure.

There are jetpacks, ray guns, fiery swords and many of the other trappings of classic sci-fi here but above all else Amber Atoms gives readers a fun and feisty new female character to cheer on.

Kelly Yates (W&A), Image Comics, $3.50

Dark Avengers #2

By James Wortman

Allegedly reformed villain Norman Osborn being lauded as a hero in the wake of the Skrull invasion is not necessarily a good thing for the Marvel Universe, but it could make for some interesting reading as the multi-series "Dark Reign" story arc plays out. Following the events of "Secret Invasion," the former Green Goblin and leader of the Thunderbolts has transformed U.S. espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. into H.A.M.M.E.R., forming his own team of Avengers made up of super-villains and other controversial figures masquerading as well-known heroes. Osborn, for example, dons a star-spangled Iron Man suit and calls himself the Iron Patriot.

In Dark Avengers #2, the team embarks on their first mission, rescuing Dr. Doom from Arthurian sorceress and classic Avengers villainess Morgana Le Fay. Osborn and his team arrive to save Doom in an appropriately violent fashion, but find that the time-traveling sorceress may be more formidable than they’d anticipated.

This issue is appropriately dark as the title suggests, but it’s also incredibly fun watching each member of Osborn’s team have fun in their new roles as they kick ass on the U.S. government’s dime. Writer Brian Michael Bendis clearly enjoys letting us root for these unrepentant bad guys, while Mike Deodato’s artwork is incredibly detailed throughout, particularly in his phenomenal splash pages that add a good deal of tension to the team’s battle with Morgana.

It’s not a must-read, but Dark Avengers #2 suggests that this title’s concept transcends the villains-as-heroes novelty and could grow into a premier Marvel title.

Brian Michael Bendis (W), Mike Deodato (A), Marvel Comics, $3.99

Missing The Boat

By Lee Newman

You’ve probably never heard of the churamane. There is a reason for that - they missed the boat… the boat being Noah’s Ark. Seems they were neglectful with their mail and got their invitation a week late. To further compound things, the chosen couple for salvation liked to nap. A lot. No seriously, they nap like I eat Pringles.

Wayne Chinsang or Justin Shady, the enigmatic author of The Roberts (a story about two serial killers finding themselves buddies in a retirement home), is the scribe of this children’s book from Shadowline - the publisher of such fine books as Bomb Queen. So, when the book strays once or twice into unneeded snark, it is understandable. We are met with an interesting story about not procrastinating that ends up being all about enjoying the life you have led and not worrying too much about missed opportunities. It is, at the very least, an interesting read with a very different approach to the biblical tale. Dwellephant’s unique designs are sure to be a hit with the little tykes in your life. They have that oddball look that has made Spongebob and Fairly Odd Parents the new style of cartoons. Well I guess we can all blame John Kricfalusi for that.

Not sure this will find itself in Sunday Schools across the nation, but it is a delightful and thoughtful read for the little tykes. Getting kids to read (and especially to read comics) is an important thing and I am betting this is different enough to get some more reluctant learners to pick up the habit.

Wayne Chinsang/Justin Shady (W), Dwellephant (A), Silverline Books/Image Comics, $18.99

Superman #685

By Lee Newman

A quick cure for the newly released Mon-El and a bombshell for the Man of Steel changes his focus. There is little time for mysteries when his people have been banned from the planet. Now a conditional offer from Alura means that Kal-El must make one of the toughest decisions of his life.

Robinson handles the exit of Superman with melodrama. There are touching scenes with Lois and Martha Kent as he makes his purpose and desire known. What speaks to the characters is the fact that they understand his drive and know that he must follow the mission he has tasked for himself.

Pina is one of those artists who is done no favors with modern coloring. He has a classic think line, but Hi-Fi’s rich color makes the cartoonist expressions look overwrought. It is distracting at times leading the book to have a soap opera feel.

Unfortunately, this day and age of instant information means that we know exactly how long Superman will be gone for, which undercuts the power of this issue. If his future were more uncertain then this issue might have more impact, but as a transitional story it serves its purpose well.

James Robinson (W), Javier Pina (A), DC Comics, $2.99

The Zombies That Ate The World #1

By Lee Newman

A world full of regulations allows for a healthy black market when people have to live with zombies. Some just want to rid themselves of the inconvenience of relatives who have returned from the grave. Some have odd fetishes that lead them to collect desirable zombies. Scientists see opportunity in experimenting with other animals and the effects of the reflexes left in the grey matter of the living dead.

Frissen brings a sardonic wit to a different kind of zombie story. The boom caused by The Walking Dead brought us many imitators of that kind of survival piece, and led to the eventual funny books like Marvel Zombies. Here the reader is given an interesting hybrid. By placing the story in the midst of the proliferation of the oncoming apocalypse, Frissen gets to make statements about the various vanities that drive people while also skewering the political systems that feel a need to control every aspect of their constituents’ lives.

Guy Davis has a bit of fun illustrating the book. In various strokes he recalls all kinds of eras and styles. There is the high class of a Fifties society film and there are echoes of the incredible visuals of The Omega Man. The he goes and fills every page with design work that enhances not only the milieu of the piece but adds to the character of Frissen’s stereotypical tools.

The Zombies That Ate the World is the kind of book that gives Humanoids its cult status. It is a smart and skillfully written book that is illustrated with an amazing flair and dexterity. It also makes the end of the world seem like it might be a fun place to hang out.

Jerry Frissen (W), Guy Davis (A), Devil’s Due Press/Humanoids, $3.50