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Posted by Kris Bather
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06:58 AM Wednesday, 19 December 2007 |
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 BOOM! are touting this as a comic in the midst of a bidding war between studio execs who see the potential of this concept. It's an odd selling point. Here in Australia we are often told, "#1 film in America," "The hottest TV Show in the States," etc. Don't get me wrong. I don't want angry letters from my US brethren. I'm just saying - so what? Just because the Americans like it we're supposed to? What if their taste is worse than ours? Before I settle in to a rant I just would like to point out that apart from the standard "soon to be a major motion picture" blurb I didn't really know anything about this series. And the blurb enough isn't ... enough. I've heard nothing else about this series. But being an objective reviewer I came to this book with an empty, I mean open, mind. Written by newcomer John Rozum with art by someone else I've never heard of (not that that's a bad thing) Chee this is a tale of mystery, adventure and one man's search for purpose. Man, now I sound like a blurb.
It begins with narration. Two unseen people are discussing the implications of fate and destiny and pondering the passengers lives in an airport terminal awaiting Flight 157 to Chicago. One of the speakers, a man we later come to know as Valentine holds up a man in the public toilet simply telling him to remain where he is. Valentine's job is basically to keep this somewhat confused man (understandably) away from boarding the flight to Chicago with the rest of the travellers. All Valentine has been told is that the man he's waving his handgun at will become someone of importance in the future. He's told this by The Foundation an organisation that reveres Nostradamus and aims to do whatever's necessary, including letting a plane full of people die, so that his prophecies of great disaster may not come to pass. Valentine is starting to come apart at the seams. His belief in The Foundation's methods are unravelling as he starts wrestling with his inner demons.
Not a lot happens in this issue. It's basically just talking, and that's not a bad thing. I don't mind talking in my entertainment. That's why I like Kevin Smith so much. We don't see the two guys wrestling with frantic violence in the bathroom. We don't even see the plane explode. But the premise alone was enough to warrant my attention. Barely. A mix between Vertigo's long running 100 Bullets series and Dan Brown's annoying Da Vinci Code blockbuster-that-shouldn't-be, The Foundation could develop in to a great series if the characters are developed further. This issue tells us nothing about the organization, the people behind it or their motives for creating it. From one issue alone it's difficult to surmise if this series has any legs, but if handled well, it could. I can see why Hollywood would take a peek at this. It's a good idea. But a good idea doesn't necessarily make for a good comic. The art is serviceable, a somewhat amateurish job. It's not exciting to look at and the characters are essentially mannequins. If Rozum tightens his ideas and brings further intrigue and personality to this concept it could very well be a grand adventure. So far it's merely an average story wrapped inside a layer of potential.
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