Smallville, Kansas, home of Jonathan and Martha Kent, Superman’s parents. It’s the place any Super Family member worthy of the name visits when they need some downtime. A place where smalltown values maintain. So why are sophisticated Justice League legends Fire and Ice moving there?
And they’re not alone. Former Justice League International major domo L-Ron is keen to help them settle in, arranging for them to rent a recently closed beauty salon with accommodation above. Bea and Tora don’t actually have any training in that department, but Fire has been a fashion model, so Ice reckons her chum can bodge it. Bea, though, has other ideas.
The plan is to take down the threats other superheroes ignore… but that means getting some attention. An online ad should do the trick.
Bea succeeds spectacularly when an old Superboy villain arrives in town. She’s confident she and Tora can sink King Shark. Guess who isn’t?
Superman always has his superhearing tuned for trouble in Smallville and he’s not thrilled at Bea endangering his old neighbours. Or his Mom, Martha Kent. Did you spot her there, cheering Fire on? Always ready to welcome a superperson in need of a home, she’s the Fire and Ice welcoming committee.
Martha knows everybody in Smallville, including beauty therapist Tamarind, a 19-year-old attitude in need of a job.
Fire and Ice won’t go without gal pals if Martha has anything to do with it.
You’ve likely seen enough by now to know if this comic is for you. It’s definitely for me, with two of my favourite JLI members, a classic Superman backdrop, one of the best supporting cast members in all comics, new characters for the established heroes to play off (we all know Ma Kent is a hero!) and L-Ron. Oh, I just love the little fella, and this is the most fun he’s been since the glory days of the JLI series.
Before reading the prologue to this mini-series in the recent Power Girl Special, Joanne Starer was a brand new name to me. On the basis of this smart, delightful first issue I think I’ll be checking out some of her other work (her website is filled with intriguing fare). The personalities of Tora and Bea are spot on, as is their relationship. I love the warmth between them and Martha, and the new characters are people I want to get to know. Obscure villains are always a plus, as are new ones – there are a couple of very intriguing types mentioned in the latter half of this issue. And while Superman seems a bit heavy handed, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s actually pointed his old League comrades towards Smallville precisely because of the magic it can work on heroes needing a mental refresh (see Supergirl, Superboy, Jon Kent…).
Starer is obviously having a ball and that shines through. Artistic partner Natacha Buchos apparently shares the sentiment as these pages are filled with visual delights, from King Shark’s comic lumbering to L-Ron’s cooking outfit. The light-hearted vibe doesn’t preclude real emotion in the characters’ faces, Buchos has a talent for character acting. And the page compositions are pleasantly surprising – cute panel ideas never get in the way of the storytelling.
The bright and beautiful colours laid down by Tamra Bonvillain also help this book stand out from the crowd, while Ariana Maher’s lettering is neat as can be.
So yes, we have an all-women female creative team under the guiding hand of editor Andrea Shea. On the one hand, it’s great to see Bea and Ice, two of the strongest women in the DCU, in the hands of female creators. On the other hand, these are excellent creatives who could likely do justice to any Leaguer. I’m hugely looking forward to seeing where they take Bea and Tora, and the campaign for an ongoing starts here.
There are a couple of chaps around – Executive Chris Conroy is present, while the gorgeous American Gothic tribute cover comes from legendary married artists Terry and Rachel Dodson.
After Blue Beetle and Booster Gold finally getting a buddies book last year in Blue & Gold, it’s wonderful to see their opposite numbers Bea and Tora receive their time in the spotlight. I loved Ted and Michael’s series… I may wind up enjoying this even more. If you’re an old JLI fan missing the good old days, or just a lover of superheroes looking for a great comic book, Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville is where you’ll find your joy.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 