Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Darwyn Cooke; Dave Stewart; & Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Art by Darwyn Cooke
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2005, this second 208-page softcover finale complies DC: The New Frontier # 4-6 (previously published in 2004).
In 1958 Central City, after his near-capture by federal authorities, Barry Allen’s Flash hastens his public retirement a few days later. Hal Jordan is demoted from lead pilot on the top secret Operation: Flying Cloud vessel to the control room. The prototype starship’s inaugural mission proves a tragic disaster. Desperately trying to go home, J’onn J’onzz is captured. To the nation’s horror, the hammer-wielding John Henry meets a grisly fate by the Ku Klux Klan. Wonder Woman urges Superman to reconsider his future as a federal government stooge.
With Paradise Island decimated by the monstrous Centre, an injured Diana seeks out the Man of Steel. Jordan is skeptical of his destiny as Green Lantern, as he pensively waits for guidance from the Guardians of the Universe. Partnering with Robin, Batman passes on ominous data to a new ally. King Faraday strikes up kinship with his Martian captive. Once Cape Canaveral under siege by the Centre, DC heroes (i.e. Superman; Green Arrow; Barry Allen’s Flash; Challengers of the Unknown: etc.) assemble versus a common foe.
With their best hope evidently killed in action, the remaining heroes launch a desperate counter-attack. Yet, DC’s most symbolic Space Age legend must step up to ensure Earth’s future. Glimpsing the 1960’s, this saga’s epilogue is narrated by a pivotal speech from one of the real world’s icons of that era.
Note: A wicked scene depicts a young girl shouting a racial slur at a wounded John Henry.
REVIEW:
Writer-illustrator Darwyn Cooke has conjured up a stellar DC Silver Age homage. Nearly all of the interwoven sub-plots from Volume 1 reach a satisfying fruition, as Earth faces its darkest hour. Set amidst the paranoid ugliness of McCarthyism and the horrifying evils of unchallenged racism, Cooke’s storyline exudes historical edginess. No matter who all survives this saga, Volume Two is a gripping read. As to who scores this epic’s MVP, Cooke’s rationale makes perfect sense.
Still, the plotting is imperfect. Re: the blob-like Centre, increasingly muddled storytelling conveying its sheer vastness makes this monster/alien invasion difficult to fathom. Cooke also doesn’t address some glaring plot holes that tend to distract from the primary storyline.
Instead of ignoring his ghastly demise, why doesn’t any DC hero, for the sake of justice, avenge John Henry? Or why couldn’t a new African American hero show up at Cape Canaveral to join the fight in Henry’s name? Where is the retired Justice Society during this high-profile Florida crisis? Shouldn’t other Silver Age Justice Leaguers Aquaman, Hawkman, and the Atom have been substantially involved? Why is an opportunistic Lex Luthor a non-factor? Is there a reason that King Faraday hint that a supposedly-dead Hourman is locked up in federal custody? Intentionally or not, there’s threads for Cooke to exploit in a potential sequel.
Volume Two’s best asset is the multi-dimensional personalities imbued in numerous DC icons, especially Hal Jordan. Hence, Cooke’s New Frontier incarnations far exceed the Silver Age’s penchant for colorful heroes as talking cardboard. Case in point: mortal risk-takers, such as Rick Flagg, King Faraday, Nathaniel Adam (a pre-Captain Atom), and Ace Morgan are capable of poignant heroics. Cooke’s old-school visual style completes a fresh perspective re: re-examining DC’s Silver Age legacy. Embracing the Space Age’s awe and wonder, DC: The New Frontier, Volume Two is a fan’s dream.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a six-page cover gallery. Cooke’s afterword is followed by a full-page, black-and-white Wonder Woman sketch, plus two color pages (assembled collage-style) of eleven unpublished New Frontier images of developmental artwork.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: Volume One was first released in 2004 (five months before this book).
