Review: Infinite Frontier #2
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Paul Pelletier, Jesus Merino, Xermanico, Norm Rapmund
Colours: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
Infinite Frontier #2: What secrets and changes lurk inside the newly expanded Multiverse? The devious Director Bones of the D.E.O. re-forms a ragtag team to keep the new worlds at bay, but was highly skilled agent Cameron Chase recruited because the director needs her help, or because he wants a patsy when things go south? Meanwhile, Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, takes drastic measures to find his missing daughter. Someone has kidnapped Jade, and Alan’s going to find out why and bring her home. Plus, the resurrection of Roy Harper gives the former Teen Titan some unexpected and unpredictable new powers.
Positives
Infinite Frontier #2 starts with Cameron Chase beginning her investigation by confronting Superman and Batman. She doesn’t get much information from them, but she does raise some interesting points. She warns, “…for a lot of people, it’s getting scary. They look up in the sky and it’s red or filled with other Earths…and they want to know why. And ‘The Justice League took care of it’ isn’t going to fly anymore”.
Also, she refers to reports of Batmen from other worlds posing a threat, asking Superman and asks of Superman, “When does the evil version of you show up?” – raising the spectre of how dire a threat an evil Superman could pose. However, it does make me if she’s forgotten about when Ultraman and the Crime Syndicate invaded from Earth-3. Or is Forever Evil not in continuity?
Chase also confronts Captain Atom, discovering that he’s not the original, but a doppelganger from another Earth. We don’t learn which one, as he commits suicide by breaching his metallic skin. However, we do learn that this ersatz Captain Atom is somehow connected with Darkseid, as his final words are “Darkseid is”.
The resulting explosion could prove catastrophic, considering how much death and destruction was caused when Captain Atom died in a similar way in Kingdom Come. And this happens at a military base located in or near Metropolis. It’s hard to see how Chase could survive, but I suspect this isn’t the end of her story.
Positives Cont.
The Golden Age Green Lantern and his son Obsidian are shown investigating Jade’s disappearance with the Totality. Mr. Terrific reveals that a number of Justice Society heroes have also gone missing. However, when the Totality seem disinterested in searching for them, Alan departs with his son to search for Jade on their own. While it comes as a surprise that the heroes are missing, we at least learn that Todd can sense that she’s still alive. I suspect that the disappearances are somehow connected to he mysterious X-Tract who appeared last issue.
There is also a scene with Roy Harper figuring out how to use his Black Lantern ring. I quite enjoyed the flashback to Roy’s speedy days, as he remembers Hal Jordan describing how he controls his Green Lantern ring. Roy is able to apply this knowledge to his new ring. However, this causes Roy to have a vision. Part of this vision appears to show his daughter alive. Could it be possible that Lian Harper has been returned to life? Considering how many others have returned to life in the recent reformation of the DC Omniverse, it’s certainly possible.
However, it doesn’t seem as if Roy’s going to be able to search for her. Instead, he becomes zombified by the ring and is summoned by Darkseid. It appears that Roy is now under the control of the evil New God.
Positives Cont.
Overall, Williamson is still teasing us with hints without giving us a clear idea of what’s actually going on. However, this is still only the second issue. Well, you could consider it the third issue, counting #0, but that was mostly just setting the stage for the main series, while teasing upcoming storylines throughout the wider DC lineup of titles. I trust that Williamson will start giving us a more concrete idea of what the overall story is in the next issue.
The issue features some fantastic artwork from Paul Pelletier, Jesus Merino, Norm Rapmund, and Xermanico, aided by Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s colours. This is quite an array of artistic talent, and they make this issue look terrific.
Negatives
I only have one very minor quibble. Captain Atom’s name is Nathaniel, not Nathan. He’s occasionally been referred to as Nate, but I don’t recall him ever being called Nathan.
Verdict
The mystery deepens in Infinite Frontier #2. The overall story is still somewhat murky, but Williamson has given us some tantalizing teasers so far. Hopefully, the story will start becoming clearer next issue. I can barely contain my anticipation for the next issue. This is an enticing mystery.
