Al Harahap
Apr 24, 2004, 09:27 pm
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0404/FractionCVR1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0404/FractionCVR1t.jpg" align=left alt="Fraction #1"></a>Reviewer: Al Harahap, al_harahap@comixfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: “All 4 One…”
Four small-time criminals fight over a technologically advanced suit of armour.
Writer: David Tischman
Artist: Timothy Green II
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Colourist: Brian Haberlin
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Joan Hilty
Fraction created by: David Tischman
CAST:
Pete: The mastermind with all the “job” ideas.
Mike: The loud and reckless hothead.
Ford: The Buddhist and conscience of the gang.
Trent: The family man seeking redemption.
Check this out if you like: The vital cooperation aspect of Voltron, the necessary tool/item changing and using in the Zelda games, discovering the characters and interactions of early Fantastic Four, the technological element of Iron Man.
DC’s new Focus imprint books have made relatively little noise. And I just don’t understand why. They’re all meaty reads – Hard Time (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25606), Kinetic (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26622), Touch (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27007), and now this. For those still in the dark, the Focus books are a line that modernises the concept of superpowers into more realistic characters, settings, and stories. No, it’s not exactly new. Alan Moore was doing it 20 years ago with Watchmen. But Focus is more than just an echo. It’s an attempt to continue an important creative slice of the comic creativity. After reading each of these books, I’m always left feeling fulfilled like from a hearty homecooked meal. So why isn’t it catching on? I fear that the audience is polarised to either colourful spandex or something entirely different, with a very small intersection. Nevertheless, the Focus books are here for those trying to break out of the proverbial "superhero" box but not wanting a culture shock, or for those reminiscing about their spandex-reading days but not wanting to go all the way back into it. Focus provides a very comfortable middle ground.
Rounding out the Focus books is Fraction, the creation of scribe David Tischman (Cable, American Century, Son of Superman), about four small-time crooks who reunite, and for old times’ sake, do one last “job.” Little do they know that this sentimental trip down memory lane would be a life-changing experience. The gang stumbles upon a technologically advanced suit of armour, and fight over its pieces amongst themselves - bottom row panels, left to right: <a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_2t.jpg" align=right alt="Fraction #1"></a>While none are an official “leader,” just like this isn’t an official “team,” Pete seems to take the de facto status. While the others may not look up to him (he still lives with his mother!), he is nonetheless the mastermind behind their schemes. Symbolically, Tischman has given him the helmet, and so far, what seems to be the central operating system of the armour.
Likewise, Mike, the aggressive hothead who hangs out at strip joints, ends up with the armour’s gauntlets, which is a weapon that shoots off blasts that, in this issue, has proven to be a force that can knock holes into thick walls.
Then there’s Ford, who’s the most interesting of the bunch. During his time in the slammer, Ford had become a Buddhist, and throughout the issue, spouts relevant proverbs for given situations, sometimes deep, other times just in mockery of the others. Hence, he has been bestowed the “heart” of the armour, its chestplate, which so far seems of very little function other than self-protection. In the span of one issue, Tischman has created a great unique character. But at the same time, he has propelled this character beyond the development of the other three, which I can’t say is necessarily good for the book.
And finally, there’s Trent, a father working as a phone company technician, who’s trying to set his life straight. Yet, the situation drags him back in. Naturally, he gets the jet-propulsion boots to represent his desire to run away from his past life as a criminal.All criminals. All getting a piece of the pie. That’s not to say that the gang is comprised of the same alignment. In fact, Tischman gives flavour to their dynamics by making two of them redeemed, but pulled back into the gig by the other two, who seem to still be hardcore criminals. There’s great moral play throughout the story. But what I find most appealing is the distribution of the armour’s functions, which allows for a nice representation of their codependency. When they need to go to a hard-to-reach location, Trent and his boots will take them there. When they need to break into a building, Mike and his gauntlets will do the job. Obviously, there are some functions of the armour that Tischman has saved for future issues, not only to give a steady-paced development, but also because this issue would otherwise be crammed with too much new information.
The book is distinct from its Focus mates for several reasons. The most obvious is that it is about a group , not a solo book. And unlike those of the other books, these characters do not have inherent powers. Rather, they’re using the abilities of technology to set the book’s fantasy/sci-fi theme. And lastly, but which I consider the most interesting, is that these people are not being championed as heroes (in the most fundamental definition of the word). They are crooks. And not big fish who go for world domination and all that, but lowly, petty, street-level crooks.
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_1t.jpg" align=left alt="Fraction #1"></a> <a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_3t.jpg" align=left alt="Fraction #1"></a>Even the art distinguishes itself from the other Focus titles. Artist Timothy Green II (Star Wars Tales, Time Brigade), a rising star whose style I can only describe as the meticulousness of Leinil Francis Yu meets the grittiness of Keith Giffen, has done a remarkable job. Of course, it helps that his style is perfectly suited for the book. Green’s clinical hairline-thin pencils and inks are what’s needed to set apart the crowd of four main characters. It’s also totally complementary to the robotics and technology that’s central to the book. I especially love the detail Green puts into setting panels. The use of aligned parallel and criss-cross shading is a peculiar choice, but is in tune with the rest of Green’s art. Furthermore, Brian Haberlin – who colours three out of the four Focus books – allows more variety of hues. Whereas the others are colour-coordinated from scene-to-scene, Haberlin makes each panel here distinct, but still with the dreary shades to retain the trademark colouring of Focus. Kudos to this outstanding art team.
While not the most relatable (Kinetic), the most socially relevant (Hard Time), or the most shocking (Touch) of the Focus titles, Fraction #1 makes its mark by setting itself apart from the others. It also looks to be the most fun, exciting, and action-packed of the lot. The characters, while still one-issue-new, are developing dynamics. Though I’m not really fond of Tischman going right into every single one of them from the get-go. Unlike other new team books that seem to prefer introducing the cast one-by-one with each issue to give them adequate introductions. So your first read of this issue may be a bit unsettling. Especially with no clever codenames or colourful spandex to set apart these four white males, Tischman risks some confusion. It took me a third read just to get everybody’s names, backgrounds, personalities, and corresponding pieces of armour correctly. Nevertheless, with each read, I appreciated the book, its characters, and the story a fraction at a time.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fochalf.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fochalf.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1200&cat=FRACTION)
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: “All 4 One…”
Four small-time criminals fight over a technologically advanced suit of armour.
Writer: David Tischman
Artist: Timothy Green II
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Colourist: Brian Haberlin
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Joan Hilty
Fraction created by: David Tischman
CAST:
Pete: The mastermind with all the “job” ideas.
Mike: The loud and reckless hothead.
Ford: The Buddhist and conscience of the gang.
Trent: The family man seeking redemption.
Check this out if you like: The vital cooperation aspect of Voltron, the necessary tool/item changing and using in the Zelda games, discovering the characters and interactions of early Fantastic Four, the technological element of Iron Man.
DC’s new Focus imprint books have made relatively little noise. And I just don’t understand why. They’re all meaty reads – Hard Time (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25606), Kinetic (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26622), Touch (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27007), and now this. For those still in the dark, the Focus books are a line that modernises the concept of superpowers into more realistic characters, settings, and stories. No, it’s not exactly new. Alan Moore was doing it 20 years ago with Watchmen. But Focus is more than just an echo. It’s an attempt to continue an important creative slice of the comic creativity. After reading each of these books, I’m always left feeling fulfilled like from a hearty homecooked meal. So why isn’t it catching on? I fear that the audience is polarised to either colourful spandex or something entirely different, with a very small intersection. Nevertheless, the Focus books are here for those trying to break out of the proverbial "superhero" box but not wanting a culture shock, or for those reminiscing about their spandex-reading days but not wanting to go all the way back into it. Focus provides a very comfortable middle ground.
Rounding out the Focus books is Fraction, the creation of scribe David Tischman (Cable, American Century, Son of Superman), about four small-time crooks who reunite, and for old times’ sake, do one last “job.” Little do they know that this sentimental trip down memory lane would be a life-changing experience. The gang stumbles upon a technologically advanced suit of armour, and fight over its pieces amongst themselves - bottom row panels, left to right: <a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_2t.jpg" align=right alt="Fraction #1"></a>While none are an official “leader,” just like this isn’t an official “team,” Pete seems to take the de facto status. While the others may not look up to him (he still lives with his mother!), he is nonetheless the mastermind behind their schemes. Symbolically, Tischman has given him the helmet, and so far, what seems to be the central operating system of the armour.
Likewise, Mike, the aggressive hothead who hangs out at strip joints, ends up with the armour’s gauntlets, which is a weapon that shoots off blasts that, in this issue, has proven to be a force that can knock holes into thick walls.
Then there’s Ford, who’s the most interesting of the bunch. During his time in the slammer, Ford had become a Buddhist, and throughout the issue, spouts relevant proverbs for given situations, sometimes deep, other times just in mockery of the others. Hence, he has been bestowed the “heart” of the armour, its chestplate, which so far seems of very little function other than self-protection. In the span of one issue, Tischman has created a great unique character. But at the same time, he has propelled this character beyond the development of the other three, which I can’t say is necessarily good for the book.
And finally, there’s Trent, a father working as a phone company technician, who’s trying to set his life straight. Yet, the situation drags him back in. Naturally, he gets the jet-propulsion boots to represent his desire to run away from his past life as a criminal.All criminals. All getting a piece of the pie. That’s not to say that the gang is comprised of the same alignment. In fact, Tischman gives flavour to their dynamics by making two of them redeemed, but pulled back into the gig by the other two, who seem to still be hardcore criminals. There’s great moral play throughout the story. But what I find most appealing is the distribution of the armour’s functions, which allows for a nice representation of their codependency. When they need to go to a hard-to-reach location, Trent and his boots will take them there. When they need to break into a building, Mike and his gauntlets will do the job. Obviously, there are some functions of the armour that Tischman has saved for future issues, not only to give a steady-paced development, but also because this issue would otherwise be crammed with too much new information.
The book is distinct from its Focus mates for several reasons. The most obvious is that it is about a group , not a solo book. And unlike those of the other books, these characters do not have inherent powers. Rather, they’re using the abilities of technology to set the book’s fantasy/sci-fi theme. And lastly, but which I consider the most interesting, is that these people are not being championed as heroes (in the most fundamental definition of the word). They are crooks. And not big fish who go for world domination and all that, but lowly, petty, street-level crooks.
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_1t.jpg" align=left alt="Fraction #1"></a> <a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/fraction1_3t.jpg" align=left alt="Fraction #1"></a>Even the art distinguishes itself from the other Focus titles. Artist Timothy Green II (Star Wars Tales, Time Brigade), a rising star whose style I can only describe as the meticulousness of Leinil Francis Yu meets the grittiness of Keith Giffen, has done a remarkable job. Of course, it helps that his style is perfectly suited for the book. Green’s clinical hairline-thin pencils and inks are what’s needed to set apart the crowd of four main characters. It’s also totally complementary to the robotics and technology that’s central to the book. I especially love the detail Green puts into setting panels. The use of aligned parallel and criss-cross shading is a peculiar choice, but is in tune with the rest of Green’s art. Furthermore, Brian Haberlin – who colours three out of the four Focus books – allows more variety of hues. Whereas the others are colour-coordinated from scene-to-scene, Haberlin makes each panel here distinct, but still with the dreary shades to retain the trademark colouring of Focus. Kudos to this outstanding art team.
While not the most relatable (Kinetic), the most socially relevant (Hard Time), or the most shocking (Touch) of the Focus titles, Fraction #1 makes its mark by setting itself apart from the others. It also looks to be the most fun, exciting, and action-packed of the lot. The characters, while still one-issue-new, are developing dynamics. Though I’m not really fond of Tischman going right into every single one of them from the get-go. Unlike other new team books that seem to prefer introducing the cast one-by-one with each issue to give them adequate introductions. So your first read of this issue may be a bit unsettling. Especially with no clever codenames or colourful spandex to set apart these four white males, Tischman risks some confusion. It took me a third read just to get everybody’s names, backgrounds, personalities, and corresponding pieces of armour correctly. Nevertheless, with each read, I appreciated the book, its characters, and the story a fraction at a time.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fochalf.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fochalf.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/focnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1200&cat=FRACTION)