Comic Book Review: DC: The New Frontier #2
by R.J. Carter
Published: February 14, 2004
Title |
Story |
Creative Team |
Publisher |
Price |
Grade |
DC: The New Frontier #2 |
"Strange Adventures" |
Darwyn Cooke
Dave Stewart |
DC |
$6.95 US
$10.75 CAN |
A- |
For more information: DC Comics link |
|
Last month I raked New Frontier #1 over the coals. And I offer no apologies for that. In rereading, the same problems stick out to me, even moreso.
That said... What a difference a month makes.
With a slow and lackluster beginning in the first issue, the second one comes screaming out of the gate, starting with the arrival of a certain Martian and his secret incorporation into the police force of 1950s Gotham City, featuring a series of panels that illustrates Cooke's ability to show the progression of time between the gutters.
And he's only the first. The capes are out in full force this issue, as we travel to Cambodia and get our first interactive glimpses of Wonder Woman and the Superman. For those who bemoaned Superman being a lackey to the U.S. Government last issue... well, prepare to bemoan some more, because if you only suspected it before, he makes it crystal clear this issue, as he confronts a very war-like Diana (who, quite naturally, is just a little taller than Superman, emphasizing her status as an amazon.) After rescuing a U.S. plane from a crash in a country it was officially never flying over, Wonder Woman notices a rebel base where the woman were all imprisoned and abused. What she does there, and what she allows and encourages to happen, forces Superman to take a stand:
Superman: These woman did that? And... And you stood by and watched? Diana... How could you?
Wonder Woman: These women have reclaimed their home. And their dignity. I have chosen to train them to survive the coming war. Surely you see the virtue in that.
Superman: But to allow cold-blooded murder... and then to celebrate. You're supposed to set an example!
Wonder Woman: What, hand them a smile and a box of flags? Their families, their mates... their children were murdered before their eyes. This is civil war. I've given them their freedom, and a chance for justice...
Wonder Woman: The American Way!
Superman: I'm going to have to report this to the undersecretary. What you've done is in strict violation of our protocol.
Wonder Woman: Of course, Kal. The rules are the rules. We can't get involved, unless it's some dirty act of sabotage that our government sanctions. Take a good look around. There are no rules here. Just suffering and madness. I want you to go back and tell your undersecretary that.
Wonder Woman: There's the door spaceman.
Wow. Just... Wow. And the renditions--the Max Fleisher-esque Superman and the completely all-his-own Wonder Woman--are spot on.
The largest chunk of the book centers around Ted "Wildcat" Grant, trying to hold on to his championship belt against a newcomer named Clay. And while he's never directly called Cassius, the resemblance to the fighter who would become Muhammed Ali is undeniable. In the audience sit several of his former buddies from the JSA--including some who never revealed their identities, such as Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen, who find themselves encumbered with a rather conservative Lois Lane:
Oliver Queen: ...I was talking to Alan Scott earlier. Ted's old JSA pals were here, but they ducked early so as not to ruin Ted's night.
Lois Lane: Well, they may not be good Americans. But at least they've a sense of decorum.
Bruce Wayne: Here we go Ollie. Straight from the Superman's mouth to Lois Lane's typewriter.
But the real action isn't in the ring--it's afterward, when we get our first glimpse of a super-villain in action: Captain Cold. He figures that out in Las Vegas, he's far enough away from the Flash (Barry Allen fans, sit up and cheer!) It's a scene that puts the spotlight back again on a decidedly un-heroic Hal Jordan:
Ace: Look at this clown. Y'know Highball, if I was to distract him you could prob'ly get the jump on this loser.
Jordan: Take it easy Pappy. There's no need for anyone else to get hurt. Let's wait and let the cops handle this.
Hal's got a long way to go to become the hero he will eventually become--but I can't even fault this scene that much... after all, the same cavalier "not my problem" attitude is what initially catapulted Spider-Man into stardom. I'll accept it as "character building" and move on from there.
 So my only real complaint this issue is one I had about the last book and didn't bring up--and is one that's out of the creator's control. And that's packaging. Even the retailers aren't crazy about a seven dollar book that isn't packaged in the prestige format, something tangible that makes the reader at least feel that the contents are more worth the dollar than they seem. The contents most certainly are, at least, but you have to buy the book first to learn that.
In stores Wednesday, February 18, 2004.
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