"Mystery in Space"
Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke, Dave Stewart(c)
Publisher: DC
I know DC has a laisse-faire attitude when it comes to continuity, especially when that continuity is pre-Crisis, but come on! Why is there an elseworlds label on JLA: Another Nail and not New Frontier. Anybody who believes New Frontier can take place in post-Crisis continuity needs to return to remedial arithmetic. This doesn't mean I enjoyed the book less. It's getting to the point where I can only enjoy an elseworlds book.
Apart from the missing elseworlds label, the thing I noticed the most about this issue of New Frontier is how it reflects the Bush administration. The parallels are chilling. King Farraday the head nut of the force tasked to kill or contain super-heroes behaves like John Ashcroft only more effectively and with a smidgeon of conscience.
I'd be mighty upset if New Frontier were not an elseworlds, for I cannot see the courageous French Nazi fighter Mademoiselle Marie become King Farraday's Condoleeza Rice--a yes woman without a single independent thought in her head. This leaves the ugly god thing that's operating behind the scenes. Obviously, this describes Dick Cheney to a tee.
Standing against these monsters created in a political climate of paranoia that allows atrocity after atrocity to be committed against the American people is the Justice League. Sure, they haven't yet come together, but Cooke pulls the threads tighter.
Government lapdog Superman (Colin Powell) begins losing his faith in the chuckleheads who believe themselves in charge. Batman of course continues to fight crime, and with J'onn's help becomes alerted to the growing threat of the Cheney-abomination. Who we wonder does he call? The Flash makes a stirring appeal directly to the American people after almost being "detained," and a valiant hero falls victim to another real world scourge. Hal Jordan is about to become HEAT's wet dream for the evening. I still hate him, and his opening sexist commentary reminds me how much. The tide however begins to turn much as it seems to be doing against the Presidolt in our sorry reality.
Cooke's art provides a solid layout for a very dark story giving way to the shine of silver. While everything has that proportionate yet toony style, the atmosphere of the panels is grim. Due to this impression, the scene that stands out occurs on Paradise Island. In this setting, the bright colors and natural backdrop contrast the urbanized lion's share. The zaftig Wonder Woman along with a few Amazon cameos sharply offset costumes becoming faded and dirty as the government begins tightening their nooses. It's funny, but the other look that curses the darkness of The New Frontier belongs to the hero most often considered darker than Kal. The ears of Batman's cowl jut proudly, and his cape flows like a stream of blue midnight over his shoulders. There's honesty about him. He's a super-hero, and with dignity he wears the costume.
From the opening with Flash to hopefully not the final word on J'onn J'onzz, New Frontier's clear message is that the most dangerous villains wear suits and ties not outrageous tights and buckets on their heads.
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