If you're looking for a token X-books connection for this review - not that I've been worrying about those for years - then Brian Wood was the last writer on Generation X before it got axed in last year's overhaul.  (And inker Kent Williams was one of the artists on Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown, come to think of it.  Ah, the X-books are all-pervading.)

But that has nothing whatsoever to do with Fight for Tomorrow,a six issue miniseries from Vertigo.  This issue introduces our lead character Cedric, and to be honest it sets out less of the back story in its first issue than the solicitations did in one paragraph.  Ignore the solicitations, the pacing here is better.

Cedric, our lead character, is a former martial arts fighter who's evidently found himself cast out.  He desperately misses his ex-girlfriend Christy, and frankly, he's just downright miserable.  Looking for direction, he goes back to underground fighting.  On paper this ought to be a grindingly angst-ridden affair, and yes, this issue is all about establishing how thoroughly miserable the poor bastard is.  But it manages to dodge turning into outright melodrama, and avoid making the lead seem whiny.

Art comes from Denys Cowan and Kent Williams.  I've always liked the sketchy feel of Williams' inks, especially when they're applied to solid layouts like these.  The action sequences have a loose and kinetic feel, and the book as a whole has a distinctive and credible look to it.

Martial arts stories aren't usually my sort of thing, and it's hard to put my finger on what makes this different.  Ultimately, it's the strength and believability of the characters that pulls it off.  Definitely worth picking up.

Rating: A

back | continue