Broken Frontier

Seven men with extraordinary powers are brought together. They are strangers to one another, raised from across the globe and destined to be of service to the world.

Virgin Comics is a newcomer to the comic publishing field. Their novel approach is to try to craft comics that will appeal to both Eastern and Western tastes. Nowhere is that more apparent than with 7 Brothers. The title is based on an old Chinese folk tale, plotted by acclaimed Asian filmmaker John Woo and scripted by American and British fan favorite Garth Ennis – a nearly perfect bridge between East and West. Or so it would seem.

Somewhere in urban America, pimp and wannabe tough guy Ronald Wipes (AKA "Double-Double") is getting the crap kicked out of him by a group of prostitutes and their new pimp. Elsewhere, six men meet at a luxurious home; brought together by money and the promise of more cash. They have come from across the world – Africa, Australia, the Middle East, South America and more. They await the arrival of their mysterious benefactor. That benefactor, however, has to first rescue Wipes. Meanwhile, deep underneath the Great Wall of China there are men in search of something ancient. Something that may not be benevolent.

In the original Chinese folk tale, the seven brothers are exactly that – seven identical brothers but each one with a different and unique gift. When one brother is wrongfully sentenced to death each one of his brothers takes his place in turn, thwarting the executions with their abilities. How, exactly, this story will factor in with this comic is, as of the first issue, still unclear and that is not the only thing that is unclear.

While I appreciate the immense talents who have been gathered to create this comic I wonder if the title itself may fall victim to its star creators. Names like John Woo and Garth Ennis carry certain expectations with them. The comic does meet most of these expectations – action? It has it. Flawed heroes? Check. Violence? You bet. Blood? Some. Swearing that would make a sailor envious? Yep. Yet, despite meeting all the qualifications you would expect from these two, the issue felt lacking. These characters are going to save the world? From what? And why? It is hard to feel any urgency when you don’t know what the stakes of the game are. The reader is not really given a reason to care.

Also, by introducing all seven characters at once the only information readers really get are names, faces and powers. Only Wipes receives any real "screen time" and then he comes across as just another stereotype of a Black urban pimp. With the rest of the ethnically diverse cast treated with somewhat more cultural sensitivity, this comes off as a bit of a slap. Also, I am a fan of most of Ennis’s work and I am well aware that rough language is part of his repertoire. Here though, it feels excessive and over the top. Rather than adding to the story it detracts by seeming a deliberate attempt to shock or show off.

The art, on the other hand, by Jeevan Kang is beautiful, with a lush, painted look. I am not familiar with Kang’s previous work but this title is almost certain to bring him to the attention of the American market. The comic is nearly worth the price for his atmospheric art alone. Two panels, in which ancient Chinese ships slowly dissolve into a modern city skyline, are some of the most beautiful and visually fascinating art I’ve seen in a long time.

In the end, though, 7 Brothers just did not do enough in this first issue to make you care about these seven men and their mysterious female benefactor. They remain figures, ciphers, and to a certain extent stock characters. Their mission remains an enigma as well. Hopefully the second issue will see these characters explored in depth because there is potential here.