Broken Frontier

In a world where warring races of magic-wielders have threaded on the world of modern humanity, a peace has been reached. Thanks to the actions of one seeing this calm as a stalemate, a greater threat has been revealed. Will one boy who just begs for a normal life be called once again to save the day?

Soulfire has started a new volume without its originator. There's no underestimating the impact that the too-early loss of Michael Turner to the world of comics has had. His Aspen Comics company continues his stories, with artists invariably trying to recreate his style. Jason Fabok does his best to keep Turner's style alive, but at the end of the day, the best imitation is still just an imitation.

J.T. Krul spends the issue setting up the new storyline, featuring three characters that we should be accustomed to, and where they are after an indeterminate amount of time. For those who aren't familiar with the world of Soulfire, many of the cards are laid out on the table, with characters rather quickly defined, and almost too easily. Onyx is the one bringing chaos and messing with forces she shouldn't be. Grace is nobility and honor wrapped up neatly in a bikini and dragonfly wings. Malikai is the one kid who has more power than he ever wanted, but enough responsibility to know he must hide from trouble.

For someone who's never read Soulfire, this is a blessing. Things are kept simple to three characters, and instantly we learn their characterizations, if not their motivations and reasons for where they are. For those who are used to the world, this may seem like a slow burn to the third volume. When it comes to the actual plot, it remains a readable and entertaining start, but nothing more. There's nothing groundbreaking here, there's no real threats as of yet, but it's an appropriate start to the series. While the story at this point isn't fully enthralling, there are enough obvious plots started and pasts referenced that it looks worth following longer. At the same time, spreads and short bits of dialogue leave much to visuals, and therefore less to Krul and more to Fabok. Undoubtedly, Aspen Comics enjoys letting the artist be the director of the book as if it were a film, and takes pains not to cover up their nicely detailed (and nicely attractive, predominately female) cast.

Soulfire's first issue of this third volume is a visually appealing refresher course that tries to stand up on its on two feet (or fly with its own two wings) without Michael Turner at the helm. It succeeds, but leaves one wondering if the book is only skin deep.