Marvel Comics – September, 2008 – $2.99 – 32pg. – Color
Writer: Brian Reed – Artist: Marco Castiello – Cover: Juan Doe
“The End of the World”
Paul Jenkins’ two Front Line series were both difficult to start with. Although the end of both his Civil War and World War Hulk mini-series were excellent in portraying the events from the perspective of the Average Joe, both had trouble getting past a rough start. This time, Brian Reed tries his hand by giving us three perspectives of three very different people instead of one or two similar ones. This change translates into what is easily the best start to a Front Line series to date.
The story starts with series regular reporter, Ben Urich, interviewing a cab driver named Jonathan Bryant in the middle of the Skrull Invasion of Earth. Jon hasn’t had a good day, as he explains how he found his wife cheating on him and how Spider-Man and Menace trashed his cab the night before. The perspective then changes to a few hours before the Invasion, where Ben interviews an ER doctor named Molly about gang violence in the city(It isn’t looking too pretty). Meanwhile, a girl named Melanie strolls into Stark Tower: where her father works. She interrupts her father in a meeting and begins arguing with him. Things haven’t been going too well for them, as Melanie’s parents are going through a divorce and she is having trouble coping with it.
Just when every one’s lives can’t seem to get much worse, the Skrull Invasion begins. Everyone is interrupted by a Skrull ship looming over New York, and then flees as the ship opens fire on the city. Melanie and her father are then sealed inside Stark Tower, Molly and Urich are having trouble coping with a barge of injured civilians inside the hospital, and Jon panics, driving like a madman and knocking over a couple of Super Skrulls.The last few moments of the book show an injured civilian inside Molly’s hospital waiting patiently, with glowing green eyes.
This first issue effectively gives us three people(maybe four) who each live considerably different lives and view the world in different ways: A down on his luck cab driver, An ER doctor trying to help people all she can, and a corporate honcho struggling at home with his wife and daughter. The perspectives are all unique and interesting in their own right, which gives the series a good platform to work on. Castiello’s art also gives this book a unique look; His pencils seem almost cartoon-like, but not quite. Trying to explain with words is too difficult, but he definitely delivers well. Overall, this series is off to a good start with some promise that it won’t just be people running around New York panicking.
Writing: 8 – Story: 8 – Art: 8 – Cover: 7
Overall: 7.8
