Broken Frontier

Ben Franklin returns to America to a country embroiled in the middle of the Revolutionary War. His urgent mission of diplomacy a failure, he is haunted by the mistakes he has made. Meanwhile, on the front lines, a mysterious figure has appeared in mask, giving the English more than they can handle.

It is always nice to see a page in the book of "Whatever Happened to...?" turn up with a happy ending. I have this book from several years ago, when Alias published it. Unfortunately, just as the publisher had put out its two most intriguing new properties, this and Revere, they changed course and dissolved. This was a heartbreak for those of us who had taken a chance on these two books. Revere found a home at Archaia Studio Press and now Pistolfist finds a home at Bluewater Productions.

The first issue is a roller coaster ride. The most poignant characterization of Ben Franklin is done through his return trip and narration. His soul is the heart of the first issue, but the action lies on the battlefield where the violence is brutal and the twists in the plot neck breaking. Even reading it again and knowing how it turns out, I was surprised by how it kept me guessing. It is truly a unique and powerful piece of writing from Earls and Flanary.

The historical setting of the book gives it a unusual voice. The mix between fiction and history blurs lines and it becomes hard to tell which is which, but a page in the back of the book is devoted to clearing up some of those mysteries. This is a nice touch as it allows the book room to breathe, but shows that the authors are aware of what they are doing and have done their research.

Guilnaldo’s art is a fine match for the script. It is a little rough in some places. Or maybe not, I’ve never seen a picture of Franklin’s daughter, maybe she was slightly unattractive, but it seems an odd choice for a graphic narrative. However, his action is top notch and crystal clear. As is the emotions that he puts on people, we know what these characters are feeling.

The idea of a Revolutionary vigilante who dons a mask to fight the British may seem a little odd, but trust me, it all makes sense in the end. What is even more exciting this time around is knowing that there is more to come. I am glad that this highly entertaining and thought provoking book has found a new home.