Broken Frontier

This issue readers are introduced Magz, a former prostitute. As she and the team face a mysterious, supernatural serial killer can she lead them to victory?

Over eighty-five years ago the city of New Orleans was plagued by a series of horrific slayings committed by a killer the police dubbed ‘the Axeman’ due to his choice of weapon. The killings ended abruptly but now they have begun again in the City of Saints. As Magz figures out who, or rather what, the Axeman truly is she rallies the rest of her teammates to set a trap and put a stop to the murders. The question is can she keep the emotional weight of her past from crushing her and ruining the team?

The character of Magz comes across as one of the most complex and interesting of the group. She is the one who seems most eager to leave her previous life behind and embrace this new one. Where and how we see her use her powers for the fist time tells us volumes about her. The nature of her abilities makes her the one member of the team who could convince herself that abuses of that power could be just. It is clear that she has been victimized in her past and the reader is left to wonder if she will resist the temptation to become the victimizer.

While the premise in this issue holds the reader, there are some weaknesses present as well. Writer Chuck Satterlee’s decision to make each issue a self-contained story imposes limitations. Single issue stories are something of a lost art in modern comics writing and I applaud the attempt but there is not enough room here for everything Satterlee sets out to do. As a result there is lack of explanations in the Axeman’s motivations, which turn the villain into just a cardboard cut-out. There are also plot weaknesses in how and why Magz is able to fit all the clues together in order to connect all the murders and determine the true nature of the Axeman. The final problem with this issue comes from some of the writing and dialogue, which fails to flow. The Axeman’s ‘letter’ is a particular example as awkward phrasing in places fails to convey a sense of menace.

The story is bolstered, though, by the art of veteran Norm Breyfogle. Although the characters in a few panels appear a little stiff, the overall action is solid and the characters’ faces are incredibly expressive. Breyfogle also does a terrific job of capturing New Orleans, past and present (at least prior to Hurricane Katrina).

Mike Kowalczyk’s colors also compliment Breyfogle’s work. Colors and art combine on the opening sequence to create the look and feel of an old film; a nice nod to early horror movies

I have to admit that I do not normally pay much attention to lettering, but I love the work of Chuck Maly on this series. Pastor Secord’s words have a definitive look that implies a dignity and authority. Giving the lettering of Magz words a different look when she is using her power is a nice note as well. There is a beauty in the fonts and it helps set this series apart from others in the market today.

Of Bitter Souls has an interesting hook in this creation of a reluctant team, given powers that play to their emotional and moral difficulties. Superheroes whose powers are designed to tempt them, to make it easier to give in to their darker impulses, is a unique and interesting take. While the dialogue could use a little polish I believe that will come in time. I think as well that the stories will get better once they move into more traditional arcs, and delve into the interaction of the characters a bit more. There is room for improvement here but the premise is solid and so is the creative team.