Broken Frontier

Ralph Dibny’s quest continues outside the hidden city of Nanda Parbat, the Teen Titans hold open tryouts, and the rag-tag space heroes must decide the better part of valor.

It is interesting to note, here in the thirty-second week of this series, how far reaching this series has become. What began with five basic, core characters has now spun in multiple, branching directions with plots weaving together and then breaking apart only to weave into entirely new configurations. Like a kaleidoscope, each new turn brings a different, mysterious pattern into focus.

We open in the mountains of Tibet with Ralph Dibny and the Helmet of Fate searching for Nanda Parbat. It seems Ralph remembers stories Batman told about working with the ghostly hero Deadman, and Deadman’s connections to the goddess Rama Kushna. Over the course of this discussion with the Helmet of Fate, Ralph finds what appears to be a mystical amulet. And then a Yeti finds Ralph... Waking up in Nanda Parbat, Ralph finds Great Ten member, the Accomplished Perfect Physician (APP for short here) saved him from the Yeti. APP informs Ralph that the Yeti is actually a human transformed by science, the amulet is technological and not mystic in nature, and that APP would like Ralph’s help in saving the Yeti from himself. Ralph seeks only an audience with Rama Kushna but, when that is denied, his better nature wins and he agrees to help APP. This display of better nature gains Ralph what he desires but what he learns there is perhaps a mystery even to him. Is his last hope dashed? Meanwhile, the Teen Titans are holding tryouts to fill the missing spots on the team. Osiris desires to join along with Sobek the talking crocodile but Captain Marvel, Jr. might have a thing or two to say first. Finally, the space heroes have gotten their first look at Lady Styx. Will they stand their ground to fight her or try to run around her and come back with help? If they stand they may die but if they run more will fall before her....

While mysteries deepen this issue, a number of previously obscure characters become better known. Readers are treated to insight into the personality and background of the enigmatic APP. It would seem that this stoic man hides his own personal demons as well as a history that he considers less than heroic. Osiris, as well, continues his own quest to make friends with people his own age. His eagerness to prove himself and the aura of naiveté around him are actually charming and endearing. Readers may well find themselves rooting for this young man to find a heroic future.

Pencils this issue are provided by Pat Olliffe. While serviceable enough, his figures do lack a bit in the variety and subtlety of expression. Every character seems to use the same shocked and angry expression at every turn. Where his work moves above the average, however, is during the sequence in the temple of Rama Kushna. Here his work is given a boost by the lovely colors and lighting of Dave Baron.

It is proving to be fascinating to see how the plots that make up this title keep looping back in around themselves, and how lines cross and converge. Also interesting is how emotions play their role in the actions and decisions of each character – Ralph’s grief, despair, and desperation, Osiris’ loneliness and hope, the space heroes’ fear and determination... As fans gear up for a 52 Holiday Season one thing is certain – the New Year will bring more interesting twists in this elaborate tale.