Randy and Don have seen the future... Future Comics, that is, and its inaugural release, Freemind.
Don:
Future Comics is one of the most talked about new comics publishing ventures this year, not because of its content or the experienced creators behind it, but because of its unconventional distribution plan. But we're not here to look at that. Randy and I were provided with review copies of Future's first release.
Randy:
Or at least, their first preview release, as their first wide release is Freemind #1, which was scheduled to hit many comics shops this week. What we're reviewing is the precursor to that book, a 16-page, full color preview book that introduces at least two of their ongoing new characters.
Freemind #0
written by David Michelinie & Bob Layton
pencilled by Dick Giordano
inked by Bob Layton & Miguel Insignares
colored by Miguel Insignares
lettered by Albert DeGuzman
edited by Bob Layton
Don:
Two mysterious men pursue a truck across the desert. One -- a bald fellow who keeps forgetting he has super-powers and who's aided by an unseen guide -- gives chase because of the dangerous cargo it carries. The other -- a masked, caped figure who goes by the appropriate nomiker of Deathmask -- seeks to punish the wicked men involved in the transport.
One of the first Marvel titles I started following regularly was Iron Man, and that was back during the Michelinie and Layton years. And as for Dick Giordano, I grew up loving his work on my favorite DC heroes in the 1970s and '80s. So going in, the lineup of talent on Freemind already had an advantage, a nostalgic soft spot. The question was: would these creators, whose popularity peaked years ago, still have something to say in the new context of the 21st century?
The answer: I don't know yet. There are elements here I enjoyed and others that didn't sit well with me.
Randy:
Like you, I was a big fan of the Michelinie/Layton Iron Man. And like you, I have a nostalgic attachment to these creators, and a desire to see all the hard work they've put into this industry pay off for them down the line with this new line of comics. And, like you, I'm not really sure where I sit with regards to Future Comics yet. Something isn't right; we're never this much in agreement, are we?
Don:
Michelinie's definitely piqued my interest with the bald guy whom I'll assume is named Freemind. We're told little about him and his abilities, but the dialogue makes a far-fetched figure seem more plausible. The exchanges between Freemind and his off-site "director" clicked nicely for me. Just about all of Freemind's dialogue seemed to flow quite well.
Randy:
There are plenty of questions raised about the lead character (including his name), and I also think it came down on the intriguing side rather than the frustrating "tell me something, already!" side. A quick glance at the website indicates that he's an android (sort of), which can actually be picked up from dialogue cues, and I like the idea of a super-hero with a support system who helps him utilize his powers. It's not a completely new idea, but it's one with plenty of room for exploration. Freemind (if that is his name) comes across as a slightly naive, fairly powerful character that I'd like to see more of.
Don:
On the other side of the coin, though, is Deathmask. His dialogue is so incredibly stilted that the air of Punisher-like menace he's meant to create is completely lost. Michelinie even makes reference to the cornball tone of the character's dialogue through a nameless henchman, and even that tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement isn't enough to get the reader to accept it. The other problem with the character is the completely generic quality he exhibits. The design isn't visually striking at all.
Randy:
You mention Punisher, and it's pretty clear that Deathmask is inspired by him and other lame 90s-era knockoffs that aimed for grim, gritty and relentless. More often than not, they were tiring, without enough motivation or character to interest the reader, and that's the case with Deathmask as well. His ruthless dialogue comes across as cheesy and dated, the one description that these creators need to avoid if they're going to dodge the potential "has-been" reputation that dogs creators who were once hot. I'm not quite as bothered by the visual, however. Deathmask's costume, like that of the other lead character, is at least simple, although I'll agree that they could have sacrificed a little simplicity to give it a little more flash.
Don:
Fortunately, there are other visual strengths to drink in. Giordano's pencils mesh perfectly with Layton's inks. The latter brings his trademark polish to Giordano's already strong, striking pencils. The colors are particularly impressive as well. They're sharp but not too gaudy either. Insignares makes good use of computer color effects, but he never goes overboard either.
Randy:
In art terms, this book compares well to Crossgen, and that's not a bad place to be. It's a little plain at times, but it's got very clear storytelling and strong colors. Deathmask aside, the characters are all pretty well-defined as well, with the lead character of Freemind having a particularly simple but effective visual.
Don:
So, what's the final verdict? Honestly, I'm riding the fence. It's difficult to judge the plot, as there's not much to go on. But my interest has definitely been piqued. But will others react the same way, will they go out of their way to order future Future releases directly from the company simply because they're intrigued?
Randy:
And there's the kicker. I'm intrigued, but I don't know that I'm intrigued enough to go to Future Comics' website, pay the shipping and deal with the hassle of mail order when I'm very happy with my comic shop. While avoiding Diamond distribution is an ambitious choice, it seems an odd one for a company that could use every ally in the traditional comic-book market that they can get. Hopefully the distribution situation won't hurt the company, because they seem to have some ideas for those who aren't happy with what the bigger companies have to offer.
For more information on Future Comics, visit
