REVIEW: ‘Infinite Frontier,’ Issue #4

Infinite Frontier #4 is written by Josh Williamson, penciled by Paul Pelletier, Jesus Merino, and Xermanico,  inked by Norm Rampund, Raul Fernandez,  and Xermanico, colored by Hi-Fi, and lettered by Tom Napolitano. It is published by DC Comics. Following the end of Infinite Frontier #3, President Superman and Flashpoint Batman track down the origin of the multiversal shuttles to Earth-23 while Roy Harper encounters Infinity Inc. Meanwhile, various characters are drawn to Earth-Omega as Darkseid’s plans begin to take form.

This marks the second half of the miniseries. Like he did with the previous issue, Williamson begins to draw the various characters together as their adventures all deal with the multiverse. Harper is drawn to Earth-Omega due to his Black Lantern ring, but he’s also hoping to find his daughter Lian. Flashpoint Batman continues to find his purpose in the multiverse now that his universe has been destroyed and manages to find that purpose while helping Justice Incarnate with their investigation of the multiversal shuttles. And Director Bones is willing to use any means necessary to stop multiversal incursions as it turns out that he’s been behind X-Tract tracking down various villains and heroes. Again, I’m amazed at Williamson’s ability to juggle these various characters and present a narrative that continues to escalate without overwhelming the audience.

It helps that he is joined in his efforts by a trio of great artists. Pelletier, Merino, and Xermanico handle three different story threads, which helps give a different feel to the various characters and stories presented within the issue. Pelletier’s simple, clean linework lends itself well to the various members of Justice Incarnate, including President Superman and Captain Carrot, who look extremely heroic. Xermanico’s art has a horror element, which is fitting considering that Director Bones is literally a walking skeleton. And Merino draws the heck out of a fight between Jade and Harper, with their respective Starheart and Black Lantern energies taking the form of various barriers and weaponry.

Hi-Fi replaces colorist Romula Fajurdo Jr. for this issue and provides a collection of colors that shift depending on the environment. The White House on Earth-23 shifts from neutral cream colors to the bluish-white crystals that form President Superman’s Fortress of Solitude on a whim. The insides of the interdimensional shuttles have a faint red tinge from the multiversal element known as the Bleed. And Earth-Omega remains a shadowy, desolate wasteland that features tendrils of darkness snaking out. Even Napolitano’s letters differ in color; Earth-Omega is haunted by a mysterious voice that features jagged white letters, and the inside of Justice Incarnate’s ship has an alarm that blares “Mayday” in bright yellow.

Infinite Frontier #4 kicks off the miniseries’ second half, as the various characters are drawn together by Darkseid’s machinations. With two issues left, all of the characters are gearing up to take on the Lord of Apokolips-but his end goal, as well as who survives the encounter, remains to be seen.

Infinite Frontier #4 is available wherever comics are sold.