Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: On the Sidewalks of New York
Written by: Kurt Busiek
Penciled by: Carlos Pacheco
Inked by: Jesús Merino
Colored by: Alex Sinclair
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Scott Dunbier
Alternity Consultant: Lawrence Watt-Evans
Publisher: Cliffhanger > Wildstorm > DC Comics
I must pay a hearty thank-you to writer Kurt Busiek, for once again introducing us to an amazing new comic book world. Kurt’s work on Astro City, with its refreshing take on the superhero genre, has achieved almost universal acclaim. With only two issues in print to date, his latest creation Arrowsmith appears well on its way to similar regard. Any comparison of the two works must end at the fact that the same man is writing the books, and that like the latest incarnation of AC, Arrowsmith will be told as a series of mini-series as opposed to being an ongoing book.
The first issue, as reviewed by my colleague John Babos, introduced the protagonist Fletcher Arrowsmith, and gave us a small glimpse at the war torn world as set in the year 1915. It’s quite evident this world bears very little resemblance to our own. Similar to our own history, the world is embroiled in an escalating war that will bring a great many nations into conflict. Yet unlike our own this is a world where magic is a very real part of everyday life. Instead of fighting the Kaiser and his German legions, the aggressors are led by the still largely unknown “Blood Emperorâ€.
The countries of the world don’t bear the same names as ours, but they still have the same heritage and are quite fitting. While the world is very different from our own, Busiek inserts a tremendous knowledge of “real†history and a great deal of real facts can be learned. Ellis Island plays a part in this month’s tale, yet instead of usual nationalities that immigrated to this country in the early part of the 20th century, we instead see an influx of magical beings. There are a great many historical tidbits, mixed in with the fantastic elements that Busiek has in place. This is a perfect melding of real history and this strange world that could have sprouted with slight changes.
The story is Fletcher’s coming of age tale, and the perspective works wonderfully. Everything that Fletcher encounters is new to him, as well as the reader. So we are taken along for the ride with him on this fantastic journey. “Trapped†in Connecticut as the son of a blacksmith, at the conclusion of the first issue Fletcher and his friend Jonathan leave to do their best to make a difference in the world. As the new issue begins, the two friends are now cadets with the Overseas Aero Corps. They train in magical arts, and will soon be sent to Europe with the chance to be heroes.
Carlos Pacheco’s artwork is outstanding! I can imagine that he’s having a blast taking the historical look of much of the world and giving everything that magical twist. It’s a pleasure to see the characters in their period costumes, as well as the wonderful eye candy that is prevalent in the backgrounds. Busiek and Pacheco bring this world to life perfectly.
Busiek crams a lot of story into the book and moves everything along quickly, while not seeming rushed. We get a breathtaking look at New York, as well as Fletch’s training in New Jersey, not to mention some moments of romance. This epic story has had a great beginning, with any luck we’ll see a great many stories set here in the future.
