This is a Joker-centric site, but the Clown Prince of Crime does not mind sharing his space in the net from time to time to bring you information on the wherabouts of other fellow villains; and so he has allowed me to share with you a short review on the re-introduction of Mr. Freeze to the New 52 universe.
WhenI started reading , I came with the preconception of the old Victor Fries from the Pre-52 Universe. (forgetting the quasi-comedic version of Mr. Freeze depicted by Joe Schumacher in the 1997 Batman and Robin film).
I always thought that Mr. Fries had evolved from a crazy scientist weilding an ‘ice gun” to a tragic character, forever obsessed with the love for his deathly ill wife which he froze in order to preserve her until he could find a cure for her. Fries was a sappy romantic figure (that I would hardly call insane), driven by the passion to reunite with the woman who had stolen his heart. Fries never succeeds, and his actions land him senselessly on Arkham again and again.
But this Mr. Freeze is different, driven by a misplaced obsession and a focused hatred for the man who is constantly forcing him to face a reality Fries is stubbornly not wanting to see.
We have already seen how Fries resurrection formula was successfuly tested by bringing the Talons from their deep sleep during the Court of Owls though his full involvement with the Court still has to be explained and hints of other rogues related to the Court schemes are suggested. And this story does something else: show us just how disturbed Mr. Freeze really is.
From an early family tragedy, we see peeks of the twisted psyche of this mad genius capable of cold murder, thus providing a revised origin that gives the character more validity and realism than in his previous versions. Even his abilities are expanded, and his motives given a logical focus, but the more revealing aspect of the story is the truth behind Nora, as it is revealed by the Dark Knight during the final battle.
The story is filled of emotion, passion, dynamism, stunning background and line design that do no less than pull you into the middle of the action as the artwork adds to the story. I consider the story very well written and beautifully illustrated (the attenuated pallete used aids in creating a mood and the contrast with Fries red goggles, gives the mad scientist a more menacing aspect). A reivindication of a character that definitely had more to provide to the Gotham mythos.
This story definitely serves to launch Mr. Freeze into a much darker world (which Gotham seems to be evolving into) with a very unique darkness of his own and a taste of the real power of Fries cryogenic mutation. I was happily surprised to see Fries use more than his armor and ice gun to get his way. Victor Frires is indeed one resourcefull and dangerous rogue, capable on taking head on the Bat-family.
My recommendation….pick it up and enjoy a good story. Here are some previews for you to enjoy.
