Broken Frontier

The Spirit’s origin is retold and Denny Colt and those around him come to realize that the past does not always stay buried.

With this issue Darwyn Cooke’s writing fully makes this incarnation of the Spirit his own. While Cooke uses Will Eisner’s first Spirit story as a framework for this issue, Cooke goes well beyond the original to create new depths of characterization. There is tragedy and triumph here in ways that may surprise the reader.

When a roomful of Chinese mafia members is gunned down, the one witness can identify the killer. The problem is that the name he gives belongs to a man long dead! A man who died on the same night Denny Colt did. The Spirit, Ellen, Dolan, and Ebony find their memories cast back to a time when all their lives changed; the event that led to the creation of the Spirit!

With this issue, Cooke takes Eisner’s Spirit origin and retells it while reimagining it at the same time. This time around the origin is not only updated, it is expanded with more detail, more information, and more characters and also more of an emotional impact. When readers meet the young Denny Colt in the flashback sequence, the character seems more open and eager. Even though the Spirit retains Denny’s reckless nature and good humor there is still a sense of loss here. There are parts of Denny Colt that do not rise with the Spirit and the readers feel a twinge of tragedy for the loss.

Cooke also plays with a number of metaphors this issue... from characters that seek (and find) a direction and purpose for their lives in a trial by fire to the subject of "death." There are literal deaths, metaphorical deaths, and subtle plays on ideas... Although Cooke never uses the phrase, the theme of "burying the past" and "dead subjects" echoes throughout.

Cooke also slightly alters his distinctive art style for the flashback sequences. The characters and the art seem younger, more innocent, and more idyllic. This sense of idealism is bolstered by Dave Stewart’s colors. While the present tense scenes are still comic book bright, Stewart chooses soft pastels for the flashbacks – brighter, softer colors for a softer, more innocent time.

It has only taken three issues for Darwyn Cooke to grow comfortable in the Spirit’s familiar blue trench coat and fedora but there is no question that he has now made this incarnation of the immortal character his own. Cooke also does not hesitate to add new things to the mythos – even giving that trademark blue suit a new meaning and interpretation. Also, although this issue continues the "done-in-one" stories, Cooke leaves the ending open for a return. There are strata to be peeled back in this story and each holds new and wonderful finds. If you’ve never picked up an issue of The Spirit then #3 is the perfect place to start. Beautiful art, compelling writing, and wonderful color make this a stand out story.