Broken Frontier

Last issue, I kind of lit into Soulfire in a big way for taking too damn long to get started and for being frustratingly sub-par in the writing department when compared to its breathtaking visuals. Now there are a lot of comics out there way more lacking when it comes to writing. The sticking point remains that Soulfire deserves to be amazing if it can ever live up to its potential. The good news is it’s getting there.

The story so far: in a semi-distant future, a dragon has suddenly appeared to threaten a teched-out world. The bad guys responsible are also intent on locating a boy, Malakai, who is some kind of Chosen One. Malakai, who had no idea he was so special, is being protected by Grace, a beautiful woman with dragonfly wings, his motley crew of friends, and a legendary engineer/cybernetic gladiator named Benoist. This issue, we get an explanation for some of what is happening: the balance between magic and technology has tipped too far towards technology, and magic is returning to the world.

This is wicked cool stuff. High tech future meets the iconography of magic. This is the kind of thing you definitely imagine lots of comic books to be about until you realize that there aren’t many sci-fi/fantasy fusion comic books out there. Maybe Battle Chasers, but freaking Battle Chasers got sucked into the Bermuda Triangle of Comic Books, so that doesn’t even really count.

The writing duties ambiguously shared in the credit box between Michael Turner, Jeph Loeb, and J.T. Krul are still being somewhat neglected on this title. #4 dramatically improves in the pace department, but the words themselves are very flat and characterless. Just reading the words and ignoring the pictures, it’s impossible to tell who is speaking. None of the characters are really written with any kind of voice, nor do they have any real depth. With art this good and a concept this strong, it’s a crime.

The pace has improved this issue though it’s still a little uneven. Now that it’s time to finally reveal a few secrets of the story, Soulfire has become far more compelling. Some of those revelations are a little dialogue-heavy, but the direction the story is taking is solid. Benoist and his crew are a welcome addition to the band of travelers. Judging from the previews for the next few issues, we’re still going to have to wait until probably issue #6 to see Malakai actually use his powers, so in the meantime it’s nice to see someone do a little butt-kicking.

Some criticism has been leveled at Michael Turner recently for not using an inker, but the sketchy quality of some of his linework is so a part of his signature style that there isn’t much to find fault with. That’s his art style. Besides, Peter Steigerwald’s colors paired with one of the most accomplished pencilers in the business make for some truly impressive eye candy, and Soulfire is just a huge playground for these two to practice their craft. Unique character design, incredible imagination, and lush panels filled with color and dramatic imagery are reason enough to at least give this book a look.

Hang in there, fans. The Soulfire team is slowly finding their groove. They’re not there yet, but with luck they will be soon.

-Jesse Vigil