Potentially Good But Not Necessary Reading
The Home Front is the title of Marvel's latest event companion limited series in the vein of Front Line and Embedded. Although, this time focused more on the anthology aspect rather than so much on the media and more grounded aspects that defined previous series. While it was rarely done well, it is disappointing to lose some of that focus because it was always a good idea and helped define these things as more than just some anthology.
This issue starts off with the first part of a Speedball story. It reads more like a Civil War aftermath than anything to do with Fear Itself, but it is kind of fitting to have this story here since is was in the first Front Line that Paul Jenkins' severely overdramatic telling Robbie Baldwin's downfall put the character in the hole this story is trying to drag him out of. To be honest, this story is probably the first time I have ever felt in the slightest that the character is salvageable. I would not go as far to say that it goes toward making it believable that Robbie is Speedball again or that he is part of the Avengers Academy cast, but the story does do a good job showing there can still be some life in the character.
This story also makes good use of the media, which may actually be the most interesting part of the story. It is good to still have some fun with media coverage in this limited series, even if it is this slight.
The Agents of Atlas story is strangely written by Peter Milligan instead of Jeff Parker, which its presence here surprising. Apparently, Marvel is going to continue to support the team even without Parker. Milligan introduces a new development between two of the characters and ties things directly into Fear Itself with the team investigating Neo-Nazis affiliated with Sin. Milligan also presents an interesting take on Jimmy Woo and how he is adapting to the modern world. This story has potential, but unless you are already familiar with the Agents of Atlas, it is probably not the greatest of reads.
The one page J. Jonah Jameson story is pointless. There is really nothing more to say about it than that. If you want a good Jameson appearance, read the recent issues of X-Factor.
The final story takes a look at Broxton and how the people there have been affected by the presence of Asgard and all that has wrought. Some may find this story boring since it features no superheroes or really known characters, but it is an interesting perspective to have. It is also a short enough story that it really does not drag on. It says what it has to say and ends, making it an effective and interesting little story.
Besides the one-page Jameson story, this issue features three solid stories, but none of them are necessarily interesting in their own rights. Unless you are interested in Speedball, Agents of Atlas or a Thor reader, it is unlikely anything about this limited series is worth reading for you. Nothing about it is apparently important to the main Fear Itself story either.
