Firebreak is another indie series request for review and I have a reason why it’s not on MFR. There’s some backup of reviews on MFR, besides I’m getting more attention for Gutternaut this way. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to doing more than reviews and underrated list updates soon enough. Anyway, let’s go over a series that’s got its second issue on Kickstarter. This goes out to creator/writer Jay Pear and his hardworking henchmen Ryan Best (the artist), HdE (letterer), and the designer John DeLucca.
Full disclosure this page will be getting updated as more material comes my way.
Firebreak: A Clingy Villain’s Obsession
On first impression, Firebreak is about the adventures of the titular superhero. Apparently he’s so successful, this is the fifteenth issue of his comic book. I’m serious people, most comics in the mainstream today can’t make it past 6 issues and even fewer are lucky to get 12. So what did this guy do that most B-Listers would kill for?
Fortunately for the reader Jay Pear makes this series from the point-of-view of one of his villains. Because would the reader really invest in a protagonist with blatant Conan-style plot armor? Professor Shard shares the reader’s curiosity on how and why Ray Ransome can operate. You ever watch one of those YouTube Theory videos where MatPat tries explain how to beat Superman by irradiating him? Or point out why stories about superheroes don’t make any sense like the Wonder Woman ’84 plot holes. Only the Professor takes it to such a degree, it seems obsessive.
Meet Count Bias and Miss Information
Professor Shard believes the hero’s power source is something extremely dangerous. There’s no details as to why but in his attempts, his civilian identity Benjamin Miller tries to learn everything about the hero. He’s not really a villain trying to justify his madness or acting on jealousy like Lex Luthor. He’s more like a conspiracy theorist chasing down leads. Which, along with his assistant Rob, causes the reader to wonder if Shard should be taken seriously. At the first sign of a lead, he chases it into a dangerous situation without a real plan. Not to mention, he’s risking it all before his daughter’s birthday. Shard would be a lot happier if he left this alone.
That is until it becomes apparent that there is a lot of misinformation abound. The MacGuffin that starts Miller down this chase? Intact despite its former holder saying it broke into pieces. And then there’s a hidden character with redacted information who seems to be the reason for Firebreak’s physics defying powers. Whoever they are, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the secret stays that way. It looks like Shard and Firebreak are about to clash through this person. But what’s it going to cost?
Recheck and Restructure The Art
Pear’s crew of artists seem to enjoy the art they put into Firebreak based on the amount of energy in them. Let’s start with some of the initial actions in the first pages.
For the visually impaired readers, the series starts off with a pretty big impact. It’s kind of ironic considering Best’s name because this art easily got my attention. We have a setup and character introductions all in three panels. The hero is fighting a villain before it begins with a supporter helping him out. So when the hero does make an appearance, it’s in a dynamic and plot moving burst of energy. He’s not just making a dramatic entrance with a burst of speed standing out in a bright costume unlike all of the muted colors for before, he’s doing it within a plan to move forward. All by methodically approaching a situation and doing it all in one go. It’s like reading a comic book in a continuous series without needing to start from the beginning. Which is what Pear was going for, its great synergy between parties.
As for the actual protagonist Shard, Best’s art shows much about his character. His clothing is much like his workspace, kind of neat but a little messy; slightly wrinkled dressy shirts complement his office’s equipment like books and notes in one corner. Unlike say the awards that decorate his wall. The beige coloring of that shirt and his office would blend right in, showcasing Miller is absorbed into his work. The Shard costume meanwhile stands out in coloring and design with the white mask’s mohawk. And it’s with purpose in trying to outmatch Firebreak in showmanship. No greater character building than design exposition.
Follow The Letter
As for HdE, his lettering is both efficient and highlights Best’s uh… best. The placement of captions and word balloons allow the reader to follow the plot without any trouble. This goes for the sound effects too with gunshots and musical letters giving readers smaller plot details. Remember the gun that set off the issue’s events? It doesn’t match the initial gunshot sound when later used to test a new theory. It’s a subtle if great way to show off a greater mystery.
Finally here’s a special mention to designs by DeLucca who along with the other artists really enjoys the time and effort put into the project. Here is the series title logo in different forms to see what I mean.
Before 
After
Are You Ready For the Mysteries of Firebreak?
Firebreak is one of those works of passion and effort creators like to put in. With superheroes becoming an oversaturated genre and deconstructions like The Boys around, this feels like a good in-between series. It feels like something made for superhero fans by superhero fans by allowing them to further explore why we love the genre. Even then you really have to the right people around to make it something memorable. Which Pear and the art team are. Overall the first issue gets an 8.5/10.
For now check out the Kickstarter for the second issue on this link to get this issue in physical or digital. But if you just want this issue in digital check out this Itch page. And in case you wanted more incentive to support the kickstarter check out these images.
