Taking One For The Team With Freedom Fighters #12
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Adolf Hitler III evacuates his Cheyenne Mountain base and triggers the nuclear failsafe. The bomb is intended to wipe the mountain from the face of the Earth while killing the invading Freedom Fighters. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam is continuing his brawl with Cyborg Overman. The others break their way into the core of the mountain and find Hitler Junior dead and the bomb close to detonating. There is no time to get far enough away from the mountain, even with Phantom Lady’s powers. Human Bomb destroys the mountain and the detonation mechanism is the only hope, but will the Freedom Fighters allow one of their own to sacrifice themselves like this? Or is there another way?
Freedom Fighters #12 concludes the maxi-series that found the return of America’s most patriotic heroes in a struggle against a conquering force of Nazi metahumans. Our heroes have ignited the spark of resistance, but it may have cost them their own lives. Hitler III has set of a nuke that will kill them and many more in the fallout.
It’s a tense issue and there is a moment where you’re left to wonder if the Freedom Fighters are done for. After all, none of this would have any effect on the regular DC Universe.
However, the Human Bomb offers a way out for his teammates. It doesn’t completely explain how his powers would save them. Presumably, it would destroy the detonation mechanism, but that isn’t quite common knowledge.
Regardless, it’s a good issue, and the finale gives the bit of catharsis and ending like this needs.
Eddy Barrows once again provides brilliant artwork which gives this story an unforgettable aesthetic. It captures the action, emotion, and setting with aplomb. Eber Ferreira backs Barrows up with skilled and defined inkwork and Adriano Lucas keeps things vibrant and exciting with his color art.
Freedom Fighters #12 gives the book an excellent finale with all the drama and visual prowess one would come to expect from the maxi-series by now. Our heroes take the fight to the Ratzis and it’s brilliantly rendered by the team of Barrows, Ferreira, and Lucas. Needless to say, it earns a recommendation. Check it out.
Freedom Fighters #12 comes to us from writer Robert Venditti, artist Eddy Barrows, inker Eber Ferreira, color artist Adriano Lucas, letterer Andworld Design, and cover artist Eddy Barrows with Eber Ferreira and Adriano Lucas.
Final Score: 8/10
