Broken Frontier

This is more like it! Even Rocky had a montage!!!

Six issues into this reboot of the Green Hornet and we’re finally getting a feel for the story. This entire issue concerns itself with building up Britt Reid, Jr. as the heir to his father’s legacy. He’s said it and even foolishly acted upon it, but this is the chapter where he proves it to everyone around him. All the naysayers, as it were.

This book is fun, humorous, action packed, and filled with all kinds of clever inside jokes about comics and superhero culture. Too bad this isn’t issue number three or four. This title treaded water for at least two whole issues, essentially beating the end of the first act to death so that the goodwill gained with number six isn’t enough to wash away the memories. But, it sure is a good start.

Kevin Smith’s dialogue is clever when it needs to be and to the point when it’s most effective. He relegates the awkward slang to one person, but it fits with the character, Clutch Kato, the team’s gadget man. It oddly feels like Mr. Smith has hit a stride with this issue. It’s almost as if while Britt is claiming his birthright, so too is Smith reclaiming the reins of this story and bringing it back on track.

Jonathan Lau’s art off of Phil Hester’s breakdowns is solid as always. Lau also seems to have been re-energized with this issue, particularly having fun with Britt’s costume variations. Lady Kato is becoming more of a partner and Original Kato is filling the Mr. Miyagi role quite nicely. At this point, the story’s only weak point has been its pace and occasional meandering with unnecessary narration.

Issue six feels like a new beginning for this once lackluster title. We are now on the precipice of the real story. The players are set, the characters are introduced, and the training has concluded. Even our hero had his own growth inspired B-plot arc within the montage that signified his acceptance. An approval of his peers and most importantly, the shadow of his father, the weight of which we haven’t really felt since his demise in issue three.

Again, there’s a lot this book can accomplish if it stays on task and completes this first arc with a bang. Side tracking aside, it’s a solid read, but probably more fulfilling in trade. One would assume that the lags in pace would fly by without the month wait in between. Regardless, all trespasses will be forgiven if we finally get to see the Green Hornet and Kato take back Century City and avenge the death of Britt Reid, Sr.

It would also be nice to see an established relationship and the dichotomy between Green Hornet and his city. In essence, these heroes are to pose as villains in order to infiltrate the crime families, stopping them from the inside. It’s a great idea that hasn’t been touched on since issue one. With only four issues left of Smith’s initial run, it’ll be interesting to see if they tackle that in this story.

There’s been a plethora of potential in this title since the word "go" and it’s just now starting to come to fruition. Better late than never and keep up the pace, team. Now that we officially have a new Hornet, let’s see him kick some butt.