Secret Identities

March 15, 2016

After the weather-controlling Crosswind aids the Canada-based Front Line superteam in their battle against Perdition and his demons, the group invites Crosswind to join their ranks. Superstrong Punchline, alien martial artist Gaijin, speedster Rundown, cybernetic warrior Helot, magma-man Vesuvius, and leader Luminary all welcome him, and only the magic-powered Recluse remains wary--perceptively so, since Crosswind is actually a spy sent by a shadowy enemy to bring down the team. The group's members all have secrets, ranging from merely embarrassing to dark and ruinous--and when a crisis leads one of them to confide in him, Crosswind sees a way to learn the hidden information of the others. The book reads and looks much like a superhero comic from the immediately pre-postmodern era (i.e., the early 1980s). However, the story's theme of good people with major flaws is contemporary, bringing fresh changes to the genre and inviting contemplation on the nature of heroism. Though marketed as Volume 1, this collection reprints the complete series. VERDICT A solid choice for superhero fans willing to step out of the Marvel and DC box.--S.R.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.