Broken Frontier

Quite a few pages less than a standard comic, but a lot cheaper too (at only 25c) Buck Rogers #0 is simply put, an enjoyable bargain. With the few actual story pages they’re given the creative team does wonders. Wisely they don’t spend a lot, or any, time on set-up, which some may expect. Instead it’s primarily an action driven adventure, with Buck Rogers battling monstrous amoebas.

Really Buck Rogers doesn’t hold the special place he probably deserves in pop culture. Overshadowed by Flash Gordon, most Gen Xers and Yers would have no idea who Buck is. The character debuted in 1928, thanks to writer Philip Francis Nowlan’s work in the Amazing Stories magazine. The sci-fi pioneer was popular enough that the obligatory radio show and movie serial followed, though most would be aware of Buck through the 1979-81 TV series, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Now, Dynamite are bringing him back. They’ve had great success with giving a new life, and audience, to other characters, such as the Lone Ranger and Zorro, and are well placed to handle this character with great care. It shows they know what they’re doing with this introductory issue. Most readers will be familiar with writer Scott Beatty, from his work on several DC encyclopaedias, while artist Carlos Rafael’s name is less known. The pair work splendidly well together though. Primarily using Buck’s narration to guide us through his battles with a few Ganymedians, who resemble “giant balls of snot,” we witness Buck’s determination to take out not only the green enemies trying to absorb him, but their whole armada, even at the expense of his own life.

Apparently Buck has a rich supporting cast, but I am familiar with none of them, though they will be seen regularly in future issues. For now, the focus is on Buck, as it should be. He looks great for a pop culture pioneer, no thanks due to the Alex Ross and John Cassaday covers, but also the simple, almost retro, costume re-design, and its tale of an Earthman displaced in time, and space. Captain America, Adam Strange, and so many others have picked up this central concept and run with it, but Buck was the first. Where this series goes from here looks to be into bold swashbuckling heroism, and with Beatty and Rafael at the helm, it should be a fun ride. Rafael’s art is fantastic, blending perfectly with Lopez’s daring colours. The Ganymedians swarming upon Buck really look like they’re about to suffocate him as they fill each panel with their slimy lime bodies, and the action scenes, though not imaginatively laid out, are hectic enough.

This looks to be another daring, bright entry in Dynamite’s library, as it recognizes the origins of superheroics and gives them a new sheen for the 21st century.