Some things which are essentially great are often stunning while confusing. And, here’s the thing. This book is not confusing because of poor storyboarding or any another mistake, but simply because it is incomplete. Herein lays the hook that keeps you wanting more, while it also comprises a paradox. Breach is a masterpiece, at least in that it is creating a vastly (and quite literally) multidimensional character, while managing to entertain and give the character an obvious prominence amongst the greats of the DCU.

The major drawback of this book is the simple, almost newspaper grade simplicity of the art. I am not trying to say that Fumanchu or I could do better – quite the contrary. Should we attempt a book of our own, we would be fiercely relegated to the writing. There would no doubt be yellow police tape around the parameter of the drawing/coloring site. There would be a giant of a man, perhaps The Darkman, himself, keeping us far away from any visually artistic aspect of any book. (He won’t even let us finger paint.)

No. What I mean is that this book, and very oddly, has alternative (think Hellblazer, Powers, etc.) style art, while the character is involved with, and the book continues to encompass the very heart of mainstream DC.

I can only guess that this is a result of the upper-crusters at DC seeing this book as a sort of a gamble. The coloring too, not only the pencils, is minimalist, and (though clear, and appropriate to the artwork) overly simple; and quite frankly, cheap – as cheap as our own three-color NMM T-shirts.

I say all of this not as a complaint about the team involved, but the obviously lack of funds, support, and obviously trust in this phenomenal book. Who do Harras and Martin have to grovel to, to get support appropriate to the caliber of their story? Look, Lopez is not a poor artist, but his style seems so inappropriate to the subject matter.

Does no one notice that this book is consistently selling out? At least at the four comic shops that I have been to in the last two weeks, this book is nowhere to be found on the shelves, in the back-issue bins, or anywhere else but the closets, desks, and porcelain toilet-backs of thousands of avid fans.

To DC, moreover Didio and Bob Wayne, I would like to say, look over at Marvel and the outcome of placing a overly busy Romita Jr. on an historical piece of work like Millar’s stint on Wolverine, and take a lesson from it. Can you imagine the massive increase of sales should Quesada assign another artist, or let Romita quit his other projects to focus on Wolverine? The outcome would be phenomenal. Yet, as it stands I could walk down to my local shop, whether I am in CA or OK, and pick up a copy of the landmark issue Wolverine #20 for cover price. Why is that? The art. Breach is new and interesting, and an incredible story, but should the team continue to draw the heavy hitters of the DCU in such a simple, and (sorry to say it) uninteresting style, I can promise you that sales will wan, as will interest in this perfect and complex character.

Do the character and the business a favor, all of you big wigs with your MBA’s. Put some more funds into this book. Look at what resulted from the pouring of funds into Majestic. What else, other than money, success, and newfound fame could result. No matter what, keep your writing team. They are the only thing keeping this book out of trash bins and grab-bags.

-Peblee