Broken Frontier

Patsy Walker is having a normal day trying on crazy fashions when her cell phone rings. Of course, it’s Iron Man calling her up for Initiative duty. She figures she’ll get some fabulous and exciting assignment only to find out that she is going to Alaska and she’ll be a one woman team. Now, if only she can figure out where Alaska is, Canada might not be leveled by her enthusiasm.

There is nothing better then picking up a comic on a whim, opening it up and reading it, only to discover a delightful and entertaining story is hidden beneath that unassuming cover. Hellcat is that kind of book. Unimpressed with the Marvel Comics Presents offering, I am unsure why I picked this book up. It is probably just my horrible addiction to these four color serial stories.

What I got surprised me to no end. This is a charming tale told with deft characterizations. There isn’t a whole lot of point to this issue. Meaning, there is not a world shattering revelation for the Marvel Universe. In fact, I am kind of unsure what the five part mini-series is really all about other than crazy whales and talking antlered polar bears. What I do know is that this was a hell of a lot of fun. It was the kind of fun that anyone can appreciate. Not being dependent on the continuity of the Marvel U as a whole, this will even work as an all ages read.

The bouncy nature of Patsy is infectious in the first few pages and even seems to be contagious as it provokes otherwise dull people into odd circumstances. Heck, take me reading this book about a superhero about whose powers I am unsure. The way she attaches herself to a local like a barnacle through charm and, when that fails, through the power of the almighty dollar (who knows, maybe she even used Canadian currency, it might entice me more) is pure heaven. Immonen fills this plot with surprise after surprise and a thrilling glee at being able to play in this sand box.

The playfulness of the book owes as much to Lafuente’s lines and Rauch’s colors as it does the script. Lafuente was discovered by C.B. Cebulski through the ChesterQuest talent search and what a find. With a touch of the French influence, a dash of Walt Disney, and some nice designs from Marvel, Lafuente is poised to set the comic art world on fire. His ability to handle action, snow covered landscapes, and daydream sequences in a faux nouveau style is simply breathtaking and Rauch’s colors only make what was already great, perfect. With the playfulness of the designs and story, you have the kind of match that must be a comic editor’s most prized dream come to life.

Sometimes, the glut that drowns out other comics products can be a good thing. If Marvel wasn’t out there throwing as much to the wall as possible, this would have never stuck to me. While I wish they would slow it down just a bit, if everything they want to put out there were even half as fun and heartfelt as this book, the industry would be in a much better place. Bravo, Marvel. May I have another?