Broken Frontier

Batman and the Mad Monk #4

Batman investigates the mysterious man known as the Red Monk while trying to care for his present girlfriend – who’s come under the Monk’s spell.

The tale takes a turn for the darker in most aspects of this issue, between the mad monk, and Jim Gordon dealing with his own inner demons. It makes for a bit more of a psychological thriller then the last story arc, and in some ways makes for a better tale as well. The character of the Red Monk is a lush and deep character, one that the readers find themselves drawn to through his intense demand for allegiance and his observers’ detailed descriptions of his voice and manner. As the series works its way towards the conclusion, it makes the inevitable confrontation between this vampire and Batman so much more exciting.

Wagner’s tales of early Batman have been remarkable, for they have created an air of mystery and occult to surround the man dressed as a bat. It reminds us that the world of the Batman is a thrill packed world of mystery.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Eternals #5

The Eternals are recovering from the history-bending that Sprite performed years ago, while two Deviants try to wake the Sleeping Celestial.

This series has been living up to its hype. Drawn by Romita, Jr. and written by Gaiman, it was expected to be an entertaining and epic tale, and that is exactly what it has been. The only fear with earlier issues was the pacing, as it seemed like not a lot happened in the first two or three issues; at least, not enough to create the epic that a tale involving the Eternals and The Celestials deserved. Now, with the cards seemingly laid on the table, we see that the pacing has worked out just fine. By taking time to build upon the characters in the first issue, we find ourselves committed to the story, and I – for one – cannot wait until next month to see how this whole thing pans out. What I find particularly interesting is that with some dirty little secrets revealed, I’m not sure what side I’m even rooting for.

With the names involved, everyone is probably already reading this series. The good news is that this series has deserved to be read, and with the latest issue, it has reached the heights it has been climbing towards.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Gen 13 #2

The group makes their escape as the conditions inside Tabula Rasa reach a fever pitch.

Disappointed with premier issue, I was hoping this issue would take a step forward and get the series on the right track. Sadly, it all still feels off. Nowhere in the book does the chemistry really work, whether it is between the assistant Megan fawning over her boss, or the forced moments between the team. This is a group that has just met under dire circumstances, and they still grow attached without knowing each other? It just doesn’t feel right. I understand Simone wants to get to the action that Gen 13 is known for – and when she does the book fairs much better – but some of the emotion she’s trying to force on the team should have had a little more time to develop. Elsewhere, her social commentary on the internet-age doesn’t quite have the punch it should.

The book remains a visual treat, and Simone is an established writer that should be able to turn this series into something special, but for now the whole thing is a bit underwhelming.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

New X-Men #32

We get a look at what Wither has been doing since he ran way from the mansion, as well as a fitting memorial to the trials and tribulations that happened over the last year.

With so many comics trying to instill deep emotion upon the reader, very few manage to get it right. You know how you’re supposed to feel, but as a reader you just don’t feel it. And that’s a testament to just how good of a book New X-Men is. Here, as a mother who recently lost a child comes to say her good-byes, the reader can’t help but feel moved by the tribute she pays to all of the lost. New X-Men has been a vital read as it has had a true feeling of danger, with the possibility of losing any of the characters always present. What makes the series even better is that here, they stop and reflect on the lives that were lost, allowing the loss to really sink in to the reader.

This issue marks the end of the students’ first year, and it’s been one heck of a year. While they are able to push the overall plot a bit with a surprise twist where Wither is concerned, this issue is all about reflection. And it’s a book that actually got it right.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Stormwatch P.H.D. #1

In response to one big very bad day, Jackson pulls a team of talented humans together to deal with Post-Humans.

With all of the Wildstorm series’ getting restarts, we’ve seen a flux of premier issues over the past several months. Stormwatch’s turns out to be the best of the bunch. Instead of centering directly on the huge battle that took place, instead the issue deals with interrogations of many of the survivors, all of who are lacking in post-human powers. So, what we get, is a comic that feels like a well-written episode of one of the many cop/lawyer dramas on TV – like Law & Order. In other words, we get a unique spin on the idea of humans dealing with post-human crime. It works so exceptionally well.

Stormwatch caught me by surprise. With so many higher profile series being reinvented by Wildstorm, I didn’t expect this to turn out to be the best of the bunch, but by the end I really wanted to see more of the characters and where it would all lead to.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer