Story Title: Freshmen Flu!
Reviewer: Paul Sebert
Writer: Fiona Avery
Pencils: Roger Cruz
Inks: Victor Olazaba
Coloring: Udon’s Jeanie Lee (And her awesome team)
Lettering: V.C. Rus Wooton
Editor: Axel Alonso
Publisher: A Marvel Pop-Art Production
Some books take a little while to hit their stride, others never quite click, while a select few start off being merely good and then suddenly starting to rock… hard.
Every so often comes one of those issues where an already pretty good story suddenly starts crackling with energy. The art, the inks, the colors, the dialog, and all of the story elements all start to click in a fused harmony. It’s like music, in juxtaposed pictorial format. Then seconds later the story is over and you’re reeling, pining for next month’s issue. Counting the days until the next month.
This is that sort of issue. It’s that damned good.
As this issue opens up our protagonist is in deeply over her head. Her mentor/partner Miguel lays dying from a wound inflicted by Amun, the most evil shouta in the Marvel Universe. Her father who was almost killed is by the nefarious Wasps organization is actually delving deeper into the case. Oh and worse yet a certain adolescent assassin not only knows Anya’s secret identity, he’s sitting next to her in class. Yeah, big trouble.
Which brings us to the moment I’ve been waiting for ever since the first issue of Amazing Fantasy. Just as Anya Corazone is about to hang up her goggles just who swings in but Spider-Man. And for the first time ever since J.M.S changed Peter Parker’s occupation, Spidey finds himself in the role of a teacher. The confrontation between the two is short and sweet, but rings very much true. It also introduces one of the better aspects of DC’s universe, The Legacy Hero into Marvel’s playground much like Young Avengers. It also shows how well her character has developed since the first issue of Amazing Fantasy.
Also evolving in this issue is artist Roger Cruz’s art style, which while resembling those of Mark Brooks has taken on a much more kinetic, animated style. A style that may offend some followers of the pedantic cult of hyper-realism with it’s somewhat cartoonish nature, but one that fits the character perfectly. Cruz’s art style is further heightened by the bright Udon studios colors that give the title a bright, larger than life feel. A unique look that can be best described as a candy colored espresso pop-art adrenaline rush.
But at the end of the day what makes this issue so thrilling is that in the ends it’s not just about a Anya meeting up with Spidey, or a throw down with Amun, or manga style art. It’s about a fully developed character with real concerns, compassion, and dreams. It’s about hope.
Which is what the superhero genre should be about.
