The New Frontier 2: The New Frontier (2)

This review is for the entire story(both vol.1 and vol.2).This story had me from page 1. It was the art. Cooke's art was so cool. It struck a nerve immediately. I'd never seen his work before. How could I not have known about this guy? His art kinda reminded me of Bruce Timm's. It had sort of a retro-50s/60s look to it. Very simplistic and cartoony pencils that were boldly inked and richly colored by the industry's Michael Jordan of colorists, Dave Stewart. Yeah, the art was the first thing to grab me and not let go. Then, as I read, I started to ask myself once again, "Why hadn't I heard of this Cooke guy?". Because his writing style was so full of life and truth. At the time I read this, I had been reading graphic novels for years and years. Had I been living under a rock or something? Cause it wasn't like this book had just come out when I read it. I didn't read it until just a couple of years ago! How could this have happened? Why hadn't I heard more about this wonderful writer/artist and his tribute to the Silver Age of Comics known as "DC: The New Frontier"?As I continued to read through this work of genius, I became more enthralled with the characters. Many of whom I'd never even heard of, such as the Sea Devils and The Losers. I really dug a lot of these lesser-known(or at least to my generation) characters! The mainstays(Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc.) were there, too. But Cooke divided up the time each character spent on the page in a way that "shared the wealth", so to speak. If I had to say which character was featured the most, I guess I'd say Hal Jordan and his story was the most prominent. But that's just the thing. Everyone's story tied together to create this overall grand story that was the true essence of the book. This happened not just because Cooke wanted to tell many interlocking stories involving many different characters just for the fun of it. He had done his research, and he had written the stories that make up the larger story so that they coincided/overlapped with real life events that took place during that time of the 1950s/60s. He then linked those things with some more modern themes and sensibilities, and BANG! He had created one POWERFUL book!There really isn't anything else I could say that hasn't already been said here by others. But I just wanted to voice a small part of my opinion. And that opinion is that this story is as much a classic/masterpiece/graphic novel medium-impacting book(s) as The Dark Knight Returns. And I think that's saying something. But those of you who have read this magical blend of fact and fiction already know this. I just wanted to say it for those who haven't.

Sure, there are better superhero books out there, but there aren't many as much fun as Darwyn Cooke's "New Frontier." I generally frown on this kind of rewriting of comix history. It muddles continuity and inspires lesser writers to try to explain things in neverending crossover "events" that serve only to muck things up further. But Cooke does a really lovely job in this concluding volume celebrating the optimism and adventure of DC's Silver Age. Over the past few decades, superheroes have gotten to be a pretty tortured bunch. As readers grew, characters had to change in an attempt to stay relevant, and as the world got more complicated and morally hazy, so did the stories. And that's fine. I'm not griping. I like my Batman cranky. But when Nick Fury (different company, I know) calls a waitress the C-word coz she asks him to put his cigar out, I have to think maybe gritty has been carried a bit far. Most of us who continue to read comix as adults picked up the habit as children when our parents brought us a big stack of "funny books" to keep us out of their hair for a while. Comix offered thrills, laughter, larger-than-life adventure. They kickstarted our imaginations. Cooke remembers the excitement of getting a big stack of unread comix in your lap. You realize what kind of book it's going to be when you open it to the inside cover where every hero is wearing a big grin. It's fun to fly. It's fun to run ridiculously fast. It's fun to talk with fishies. Upon reading the very first words of the story -- "Giant gorilla in the business district" -- I had a matching grin. But "New Frontier" isn't an exercise in simple nostalgia. Cooke includes the dark side of the '50s -- racial strife in the South, the rumblings of Southeast Asia, the Cold War, covert government activity, Richard Nixon -- but the darkness doesn't overpower the book, which is fundamentally hopeful. As the title suggests, this is a story about exploration, about meeting the challenges of unknown territory, about the determination to make things different, to make things better. It's like "The Right Stuff" with capes and snazzier spacecraft. "New Frontier" is pop art mythology that really POPS. Even the most cynical reader (that's me) can't help but be disarmed by giant dinosaurs and Martian Manhunters.

Cooke's run on DC is just fantastic. The dialogue is phenomenal and is well-researched, by which I mean Cooke is keenly aware of the Cold War history in which he has placed his story, even to the point of quoting songs, speeches, societal issues, news reporting styles and jokes from the period. The artwork (also done by Cooke, but colored by Dave Stewart) is beautiful. While some might object to this "retro" feel, it fits perfectly with the story Cooke has created, showing that a writer/illustrator all-in-one makes for a highly unified presentation. These volumes also flesh out the identities of some of DCs more overlooked members of the Justice League, particularly the Martian. There is a richness to Cooke's work on John Jones normally reserved only for the Big Four (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, & Green Lantern). A great read for any age. Only thing I wonder about is whether or not H.P. Lovecraft's estate issued complaints about the similarity between "the Centre" and Cthulu. : )

Looks awesome, I’m excited

The dialogue, art, and plot were nice. The only thing that hurt the story was the occasional social commentary that borderlined preachy. I'm not saying social commentary shouldn't be in comics, but it feels like a hinderance when it's enough to temporarily pull me out of a great read.

The comics great, I love the artwork. But this is the second comic that amazon has sent me that has bent pages! I should just spend the extra money at a comic shop, at least I know I won't get a bent comic and I'll be supporting a local business.

Nice set-up for the action in the second volume

Great book! I loved Darwin's work!

Excellent

Awesome seller. Lightning fast delivery. Recommended for all graphic novel enthusiasts and collectors. I bought it as a gift for a friend and he was very happy.