Review – Frostbite #3 (Vertigo Comics)

Publisher: Vertigo Comic
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Jason Shawn Alexander
Release Date: 23rd November, 2016

This is an issue of quick glimpses. We get a sliver of information about what kind of man Boss Burns is (I don’t know how anyone could train in that gym, I’d definitely hurl), and what he’s capable of. However, it’s when we join Team Snow Bunny that the issue really heats up.

Things take an even more Mad Max turn with the introduction of The Ice Queens and The Firemen in a double page spread that is truly something special. If anyone thought the story was paced too slow, they’ll be eating their words by the end of this issue.

The world Williamson has created for Frostbite is expanded further with the story seeming to take two branches. On one hand, there’s the cold and calculated mafioso side, where it’s all gangsters and guns, hits, saunas, and hired goons. Then there’s the other side, the full fire, road epic; with vehicles more outlandish that the world itself, high octane, fast pasted, all action. It’s the mix of the two sides that make the story work, and the work of one Jason Shawn Alexander that is the glue which holds everything together.

Alexander’s art has been on fire with the series so far, with such bold outlines, expressive characters, and an understanding of panel structures that makes everything flow perfectly. There’s a certain fear sometimes with books where black is underutilized in favour of light shadows, but here, the blacks are full-on black, y’know? It’s a nice contrast to the snow scenes (also stunningly rendered).

In a book of nice touches, I could have easily just filled this review with Mr. Freeze style puns and you would probably still pick it up, it’s that good. However, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and a story that seems both familiar and fresh, this could be the beginning of an instant classic.

Rating:: 5/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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