Polar: Came in from the Cold

It has been a long time since Frank Miller has impressed his fan base. Not to say the legend is slacking, but his latest efforts have become mere parodies of his former greatness-- and the less said about Holy Terror, the better. But his works do with withstand the test of time, and continue to influence generation after generation of new and aspiring comic writers.

Polar: Came from the Cold started as a webcomic and would have served as the best thing Frank Miller had written in years, had he written it. No, this lovely little Sin City throwback is a labour of love from Brazilian born Victor Santos. Just in time for Christmas, Dark Horse has collected Santos’ homage into graphic novel format and the results are visually spectacular if wholly predicatable.

This espionage story is a by the numbers genre piece with a heavy focus on style over substance. When a deadly spy, simply known as Black Kaiser, is pulled out retirement by a stab-happy assassin Kaiser decides its time to dust off the guns and show his enemies why its best to leave the greatest alone. Yet can this old dog learn some new tricks, or should this over the hill, cold war relic just roll over and die?

Santos is wearing the love of his influences on his sleeve and it shows. This is both the books blessing and its curse. The story is predictable and is by no means groundbreaking. Yet, much like the 2011 film Drive, Santos works within the confines of the genre to offer up something far more satisfying than the by the numbers plot thats presented and thats where the visuals come from.

Heavy blacks, blinding whites and splashes of red dominate each and every page. If you didn’t check the front cover for the author credits then you would think you had a new Sin City novel in your hand. Santos emulates Miller perfectly here yet utilizes the webcomic format to help the action unfold smoothly. Whether you read this digitally or on paper, the action flows fluidly with pitch perfect pacing.

It may not be the most original story, but Polar: Came from the Cold  is a visceral treat. For those longing for the glory days of Frank Miller,or anyone looking for a gritty revenge tale than look no further.

Polar: Came from the Cold 
By: Victor Santos 
Publisher: Mike Richardson for Dark Horse Comics
​Purchase: http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/23-963/Polar-Came-from-the-Cold-HC