THE ORDER #2: Fraction's OTHER good Marvel book this week. While connected to THE INITIATIVE, it features new characters and a new franchise (even AVENGERS INITIATIVE has more established Marvel characters in the cast), and it debuted in the Top 40, which is amazing unto itself. In a way the only part that seems like a drag is sticking to some aping of the pantheon idea, which exists as a leftover from Millar's details in CW that launched this. It seems every issue, least in the first arc, will frame the current action with giving the origin and character details of their cast one by one, which is an excellent idea for a budding franchise, and actually gives it a very cinematic feel; I could easily picture this as some TV series (and a decent one). The character of the issue is Becky Ryan, a.k.a. Aralune. A girl who was pushed into being a celebrity and icon to others by her parents at a young age, from toddler beauty pagents to pop stardom, she gains the power to literally shapeshift into whatever she wants, which is a challenge for a woman who wants to do good, but always seems to do what others expect of her, and leaves who she really is in the dust. Meanwhile, the Order have their training day interuped by a bunch of stock Commie metahumans, and they have to prevent one, an old Crimson Dynamo armor, from nuking California! The biggest hurdle is these warriors are a continuity nightmare. Gargoyle is dead, long dead. Iron Maiden has been seen sooner than when the Cold War ended, especially if we go by "Marvel time" that their universe started 13 years ago. The bear, possibly Ursa Major, doesn't fit either. But the reality is that they don't serve much use than to be punching bags, and for that they deliver, allowing everyone to use their powers dynamically. Mulholland seems to be simular to Jake Hawksmoor from THE AUTHORITY who gained literal power from the soul of a city or state, in her case, CA itself. It is also nice seeing a new speedster for a change who isn't a total loser. These new characters are coming along in an interesting manner and The Order manages to capture the heart of heroes in the media eye without going over the top like X-STATIX. Kitson's art is great as well, capturing both realism and "comicism". One of the better launches I have seen in a while from Marvel with a new franchise, even better than GRAVITY was. Hopefully the drop off after the first issue isn't large and Fraction can usher in bold new blood to the Marvel universe that lasts. They could be his RUNAWAYS (which in volume one, took longer to really pick up).
