Writer: Joanne Starer
Art: Natacha Bustos
Colors: Tamra Bonvillain
Letters: Ariana Maher
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 2nd, 2024
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5 is the penultimate issue of the miniseries and things are spiraling into chaos! Fire and Ice are growing farther apart, the group of villains that Fire brought to Smallville are changing their minds about rehabilitating and Crave (an ancient cannibalistic entity from Ice’s past) is running loose and has already eaten Beefeater (is that ironic or what?). Also, the return of a menace not seen since the days of the post-Crisis Justice League America book (AKA the “Batman knocked out Guy Gardner with one punch” series).
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5 Review.
The Story
Where the last 4 issues of the series has been hilarious, Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5 gets heavier and darker, with the seemingly innocent situations of past issues suddenly exploding into serious threats this issue. Even though I enjoyed the issue, it gave me an odd feeling reading it. Imagine watching “Three’s Company”, enjoying the physical comedy and wacky situations from episode to episode, then suddenly there’s a “very special episode” where Jack Tripper or Chrissy get robbed, beaten and hospitalized.
That’s how this issue felt, a whiplash-inducing change of tone that sets up some dire situations for the characters and Smallville, but I enjoyed it as much as the previous issues. In fact, the tone shift helps the book, because it pulls us away from the sitcom-like feel of the other issues and it gives us another side of Fire and Ice. We really get to see how fragile Fire is here and how tough Ice is, and the moments between the two are very sweet. Of course, the thing I love most about this book aren’t Fire and Ice. It’s the supporting characters, who all get to shine here yet again. Even Martha Kent gets a shocking appearance in the issue.
It was nice to see Martha again, since she was noticeably absent last issue. She works so well in the book, serving as a mother figure for Ice. I wish she would pop up more, but with a dozen supporting characters, writer Joanne Starer has had to do the equivalent of walking on a tightrope while juggling, making each of the supporting characters interesting and giving them “screen time” without overwhelming the reader. Her writing is reminiscent of Paul Levitz’s writing on “The Legion of Superheroes” back in the 1980’s, with a vast cast of characters and multiple subplots always handled smoothly. Even a Grade-Z villain like Gentleman Ghost has been given a distinct personality and is a much more complex character in this book than he has been in any other appearance. It gives the book a rich feel and makes Smallville come to life.
The Art
Natacha Bustos’s art on Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5 is as wonderful as ever, though her style fit the more comical tone of past issues than this issue. Still, like Kevin Maguire, she seems to have a billion facial expressions in her arsenal, and all the characters moods are captured perfectly in the art. Also, Crave, the monster from Ice’s past, looks appropriately savage and intimidating.
Final Thoughts
Next issue is the last issue of the miniseries, but I hope DC keeps Fire and Ice in Smallville and we get either another miniseries or (dare I hope) an ongoing series with the characters, because this little corner of the DC Universe has been too masterfully constructed to just toss it away. Despite the abrupt tone shift of Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5, I still enjoyed the book and I look forward to next issue. Recommended.