Broken Frontier

Adhouse returns with its showcase of those with unusual super powers.

This anthology has been one of those mainstays of my pull list since I got back into comics about four years ago. I assume that this grew out of the Project Superior anthology from Adhouse. This new anthology has provided just as much joy for this reader. Always engaging, always unexpected, and always heads and shoulders above what Marvel and DC do with their tight wearing take on the genre, Superior Showcase is the definition of an alternative comic.

This issue brings us another chapter in the ongoing Street Angel series (fans of the original Slave Labor Graphics book rejoice), a heart breaking story of children who seem to be left alone in Freak, and the quintessential tale of a child given superpowers in Kid Medula.

The greatest of these is Freak. Here cartoonist, Laura Park brings us the tale of a couple of latch key kids who struggle with their differences from each other and the outside world. The extent that the older sister is protecting her brother is not particularly laid out in its entirety in this short, but there is enough to give a smart reader the idea that these two are truly alone. She is a unique hero and more like what one would see in real life. While the situation may be slightly appalling to more conservative reader, this is what is great about this anthology. Sometimes we get a glimpse into the lives of real heroes. Park’s dialogue is heartwarming and authentic. It is only the realization of these children’s dire straits that brings the book into the tear jerker category. I applaud the effort and her art seems to create a bridge between Schultz and Tezuka, making for a nice overall package that I hope to see more of.

Rugg and Maruca return with the adventures of Jessie Sanchez the skateboarding street avenger of Waynesborough. When her legless and one armed sidekick Bald Eagle goes to answer a ringing pay phone a series of events lead Jessie to the local hospital and a mysterious plot involving ninjas and her roommate. The nifty thing about this place is that in the beginning you don’t know how much is Sanchez making things up and hyping her life by an imaginative narrative. Never having read the five issue mini from SLG, it looks like there is a trade of a slightly odd hero out there waiting for me to read it.

Kid Medula makes his debut in "Divine Wind". When a kid discovers that he has mental powers, he struggles with how best to use them. The ensuing adventure seems to hit the mindset of the Nickelodeon set right on the head. The loose lines and humor of the piece make it the kind of effort that one could imagine being a hit on the children’s network. Beware, those who despise low humor, this one is not for you.

Once again the folks in charge of Superior Showcase bring a delightful option for those who tire of masks and spandex. It is an imaginative romp through real life, oddities and humor. Published in conjunction with this year’s Heroes Convention, here’s hoping that we get to see more of this now annual anthology.