RETURN FROM THE ASHES: FIREBEAM!

Review by S. K. Pepper

Issue 104

HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN BURNED

Story: Bill Black

Penciller: Brad Gorby

Inker: Mark Heike

Cover Artists: Brad Gorby, Mark Heike, and Bill Black

Published 1997

Synopsis

Story

Upon their return to what they think is the "present" that they left, the FemForce discover that their battle with the Black Shroud subtly altered time. One effect of this new "present" is that they are no longer the top paranormal team on earth. Now, they are considered minor league talents with the men of the Justice Squad ruling the roost. Feathers are appropriately ruffled due to our heroines confident attitudes and refusal to be quiet little helpers! The FemForce try to warn General Strock that the Black Shroud is coming but their story of altered time seems too fantastic to be believed.

Meanwhile, She-Cat is out and about with old friend Verden Fell (aka Vincent Price - see issue 98). In the ruins of a burnt-out building, She-Cat and Verden learn of the origins (in this present) of Firebeam who was a dancer and dance instructor until she died trying to save a child in an arson fire of the building. As a spirit, Firebeam cannot leave the building site. However, in order to save people trapped in a burning building across town, Firebeam channels into She-Cat. Firebeam saves everyone in that building by drawing the fire up and out (in some very nicely rendered panels!). Firebeam then leaves She-Cat who observes that Firebeam would make a good addition to the FemForce team.

The secondary story line at the end of this issue has our heroines discussing among themselves how to prepare for, and defeat, the Black Shroud in this present. Nightveil arrives to inform the FemForce of her efforts in getting Dr. Jonathon Weir of the Weir Asylum to don the Purple Claw and help the FemForce defeat the Black Shroud.

Especially liked:

  1. Secondary story line (Prelude to Darkness) has the FemForce in earlier versions of the costumes that they are wearing in this issue's main story. Nice touch and a quick way to please readers who differ on which costume looks best on their favourite heroine. Cleverly written into story to reveal sexist attitude of General Gordon who thinks our heroines are decorative pawns. As is very clear, the FemForce may be decorative but they are nobody's pawns! (Love the way Ms. Victory is holding and looking at her navel revealing costume!)
  2. Also liked the use of the secondary story line to convey much needed plot and information which could not easily be told in main story.

Didn't like:

  1. The dialogue in the secondary story line read like an instruction manual when it came time for Nightveil to reveal what she was doing to help fight the Black Shroud in this go-around. Yes, I know she had a lot of information to provide to both the FemForce and the reader, but the dialogue felt stilted and read like a phone book listing. Maybe her succinct, to-the-point recitation was due more to page limitation (it is in the secondary story of this issue after all) but still. . .

Art

Especially liked:

  1. The depictions of Firebeam are superb! She is as sinuous as the fire tendrils that engulf her body yet retains the grace of the dancer that she used to be in her mortal life. The image of She-Cat channeling the spirit of Firebeam combines the best features of both characters and is one of the best images in this issue.
  2. The cover is intriguing with a fully rendered Firebeam arching across the cover with a particularly evil Iron Jaw smoking up the left side! The flames and fire softly colouring the right side add to the image while allowing for space in which to put the title and creative team's names. This juxtaposition of background image with necessary text comes off well without detracting from the cover art.
  3. The striking resemblance between Lady Darkness, Carbonator's main squeeze, and Cyd Charisse in "Singing in the Rain." You almost expect to see Lady Darkness dancing with Gene Kelly in the next panel.

Didn't like:

  1. The broadly rendered art style is more a cartoon look which I don't particularly care for. This is a personal preference as I prefer the more detailed style that Brad used in prior issues. However, to be fair, this broader style is well done. And it does have a certain appeal when the gals are battling the jerks of the Justice Squad and the sexist attitudes of this present earth (see story likes above). Brad clearly had fun drawing a wide range of facial expressions to fully convey the FemForce's frustration with their second banana, please fetch the boys another cold one status.

Issue 105

FIREBEAM

Story Plot: Bill Black

Penciller and Story Writer: Brad Gorby

Inker: Mark Heike

Cover Artists: Brad Gorby and Mark Heike

Published 1997

Synopsis

Story

Rad defeats a would-be bank robber only to have the Justice Squad appear to publicly take the credit. Ms. Victory arrives too late to assist the thwarting of evil but just in time to have words with her daughter, Jen. Ms. Victory observes that Jen - as Rad - is in control of her life again and is working in a positive manner. She realizes that this could be helpful when battling the Black Shroud. Back at FemForce headquarters, Tara and She-Cat are detailed by General Strock to battle a major forest fire in the Ocala National Forest over the objections of Nightveil who is in charge of the FemForce while Ms. Victory is out. Nightveil wants everyone to concentrate on preparing to battle the Black Shroud but only the other FemForcers agree that this is a real threat.

Back at the burnt-out dance studio, Verden Fell attempts to communicate with the spirit that is Firebeam. He is abruptly possessed by her and hails a cab to the movie site where Rayda, stunt woman Dyna Morisi, is preparing for a scene. Verden convinces Rayda to go with him to the Ocala National Forest where Firebeam's presence is crucial to putting the fire out before a weather front destroys the forest.

In the secondary story line, Nightveil summons the Sentinels of Justice to recruit them in the war against the Black Shroud. Paragon and the other Sentinels agree to aid the FemForce in the upcoming battle. Paragon then travels to the Paragon Foundation where he gets the Neuro Chair to nullify the mental safeguard that he placed upon himself so that he won't lose his humanity as his brainpower increases. He travels in the Neuro Chair to Latimer Labs seeking the help of his old friend, Dr. Latimer and Dr. Latimer's daughter Nikki. Unbeknownst to Paragon, his friends are in the service of the Black Shroud and are too eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Especially liked:

  1. The writing in this entire issue was snappy and fun yet informative while moving the action along. The dialogue had attitude and humour and the editor's notes were entertaining. What a great combination!

Didn't like:

  1. The transition between the opening plot sequence for Ms. Victory and the storyline involving Nightveil and the other FemForcers was abrupt and felt jarring.

Art

Especially liked:

  1. Again (see review issue 104) the Firebeam illustrations are top-notch. Some of the poses recall Firebeam's mortal life as a dancer, particularly on page 19. This is a great character with a lot of promise. Hopefully, there will be more issues with the fiery addition to the FemForce!
  2. Lots of humourous references for the serious movie watcher and FemForce reader. The "Twilight Zone" feel. John Carpenter, aka John Contractor, directing the movie in which Rayda is working. (His reaction to seeing Verden Fell recalls their last encounter in issue 98!) Chevy Chase "vacationing" in a few scenes. These perks are what help to distinguish this comic from the crowd.
  3. Our gals, and their stalwart friends the Sentinels of Justice, are drawn in a more realistic manner than in issue 104. The buff chauvinists of the Justice Squad, General Gordon, and the macho hunter are drawn broadly. The different art styles between the good, the bad, and the ugly (so to speak) helps to emphasize the personality and good-bad differences.
  4. Love the scene between General Strock and Synn! Well rendered, evokes the personalities, and fun, fun, fun.

Didn't like:

  1. Stardust's haircut. Too Florence Henderson-Brady Bunch like. Surely the esteemed Dr. Mara from Rur can find a better hair stylist for a short, low-upkeep 'do.

Issue 106

FIREBEAM REBORN!

Story Plot: Bill and Rebekah Black

Penciller and Story Writer: Brad Gorby

Inker: Mark Heike

Cover Artists: Brad Gorby

Published 1997

Synopsis

Story

She-Cat, with Verden Fell's assistance, gets Atoman's energy level purring to the point where he agrees to put in a good word with General Gordon about Nightveil's request to investigate Firebeam. Nightveil uses Verden to conjure up Firebeam where she learns that the spirit is willing to help them and is not a demonic presence out to harm the FemForce. She travels to the building site where Firebeam's mortal self remains in the ashes. She discovers that that location is the power nexus for the Black Shroud's return.

Meanwhile, General Gordon has tired of Synn remaining in her room. He breaks down the door to find Synn as a big baby reading comic books (FemForce issue of course). He begins proceedings to remove her from the FemForce and the government.

In the secondary story, Paragon works with Dr. Latimer and the doctor's daughter Nikki in order to prepare for the coming war with the Black Shroud, unaware that they are working with the enemy. Nikki is particularly vengeful because Paragon is now engaged to Ms. Victory leaving Nikki feeling betrayed. The three travel to the moon where Paragon sits in the Neuro Chair and prepares to enhance his brainpower. It is at this moment that the Latimers strike the first blow in this Shroud War (which concludes in the 3-part "Dark Gods Rampage," Issues 107-109).

The Firebeam story arc concludes with Scarlet Scorpion driving a truck of video games to the Justice Squad's hangout. While on the road, he observes a drunk driver cause a serious accident and stops to help. He, Ms. Victory, and Rayda help to transport a young FSU bio-molecular engineering student, Keela Sentry, and two small children to the hospital. Keela was critically injured and is likely to die. Ms. Victory informs Nightveil of this development. Nightveil places a container holding the ashes of Makayla Allen (Firebeam's mortal self) around Keela's neck. With Firebeam now in a symbiotic relationship with Keela, the spirit is free to travel and to tap into the memories left by Keela. Darkshade is assisting Firebeam in this new relationship.

Especially liked:

  1. The dovetailing of all of the principal story plot lines into one nifty resolution - the transformation of Firebeam from building bound spirit to ally bound in spirit (and body) to a bright FSU student. The riff on drunk driving did not seem to have much point at first other than to point out an all too common evil. But, as usual, the plot is there for a reason. If Keela had not been the victim of a drunk driver, then Firebeam's potential could not be realized.
  2. Having the Scarlet Scorpion, one of the Sentinels of Justice, play a key role. With the exception of the Paragon sub-plot, most of the leading men have been the buffoons of the Justice Squad. It was nice to see a superhero who was as strong and intelligent as our FemForce heroines and who treated them as equals.

Didn't like:

  1. Having to wait another 3 issues for resolution of this Shroud War. . . .

Art

Especially liked:

  1. This issue had a lot of detailed action sequences which were all nicely detailed and full of action (ha, ha, ha!!). It is too easy to draw the bare bones of an action scene and know that the movement will carry readers along. But as usual, Mark and Brad go the extra mile to enrich each scene with layered shadowing and relevant (or humourous) background details.
  2. Synn's take-off on the problems of the comic book industry was both funny, pointed, and well drawn. Especially like the blank panel depicting a possible future of the industry [which reminded me of Tristam Shandy when the first-person narrator states that his mind has drawn a blank (at the last line of the right hand page) - the next page is black and the narration continues on the third page when the narrator remembers what he was going to write]. The problems with the comic book industry theme that Synn mentions is carried on in future panels - the billboards along the highway driven by the drunk driver exhort readers to buy AC Comics (cuz "Synn sez") and the back of the People magazine featuring Paragon and Ms. Victory's engagement has a full-page AC ad.

Didn't like:

  1. All that white space on the top portion of the cover. The white was too jarring a contrast to the rest of the cover. It also did not fit thematically with the rest of the cover depicting Nightveil conjuring the spirit of Firebearm and image of Keela Sentry. Unlike the cover of issue 104 which incorporated the space needed for a title and the creative team's names into the overall design, this cover didn't work the same kind of magic.

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