HAVEN: THE BROKEN CITY #1
"History Lesson"
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
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DC Comics
Writers: Ashley-Jane Nicolaus & Matthew P. Schuster
Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Colors: Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters: Bill Oakley
Editor: Mike Carlin
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Nicolaus and Shuster have as the foundation of their story a great idea: a new nation of aliens settling on Earth. It's simple yet boasts the potential for complex, political plots. I understand the need to dress it up with the trappings of super-hero storytelling, but what I don't understand is why the story doesn't begin here. This does not feel like a first issue. DC's decision to get the ball rolling in an expensive JLA one-shot was not a smart move, as I feel... cheated somehow. Those coming into this first issue cold will be scratching their heads.
As the more villainous denizens of Haven demand the chance to kill their heroic counterparts, a telepathic alien heroine named Katalia explains to the Martian Manhunter how her people came to Earth. She tells him of an alien dictator named Anathema, and how those who disagreed with her were imprisoned in a city named Haven. He learns how they empowered themselves and escaped their oppressors. Meanwhile, President Luthor announces how he plans to deal with the Haven situation.
Olivetti's art, for the most part, is as strong as ever. I love his angular style, but there's also an organic quality that suits the alien nature of the characters and setting perfectly. Of course, his painted cover is stunning; I only wish the entire book could be that crisp and detailed. The interiors colors are a shade brighter than one might have expected for such a story, given its darker tone and subject matter.
The origin the writers have developed for these new alien heroes and villains is rather generic, and it's not hard to see where they're going with it after only a few pages. I'm also surprised that only one of the new heroes -- Katalia -- is clearly identified, not only by name, but in personality as well.
I am pleased, however, with the non-super-hero elements of the story... in other words, I'm loving the politics of the plot. The President's assignment of an ambassador to a new alien culture brings a degree of credibility to an incredible idea. One gets a sense that the arrival of Haven is a turning point for the planet. I also enjoy the character of Nicole Stein; she's obviously going to serve as the human anchor for this series.
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