The Liberty Project

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The Liberty Project
Libertyno1.jpg
The Liberty Project #1 cover, art by James Fry and Kyle Baker;
[l-r]: Burnout, Crackshot, Slick, Cimarron
Publication information
Publisher Eclipse Comics (1987-1989)
Topps Comics (1993)
ScheduleMonthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre
Publication dateJune 1987 – May 1988
No. of issues8
Creative team
Created by Kurt Busiek
James W. Fry
Written by Kurt Busiek
Artist(s) Richard Howell (#6)
Penciller(s) James W. Fry (#1–5, 7–8)
Inker(s) Doug Hazlewood (#1–5, 7–8)
Letterer(s) Mindy Eisman
Colorist(s) Adam Philips
Editor(s) Fred Burke
Collected editions
The Liberty Projecy ISBN   0-9716338-2-7

The Liberty Project is a creator owned American comic book series created by writer Kurt Busiek and artist James W. Fry. It was originally published by Eclipse Comics between 1987 and 1988, and concerned a group of super-powered criminals working for the U.S. government in exchange for the possibility of early parole.

Contents

Creation

Busiek stated "I've always loved the idea of bad guys going straight", citing Marvel Comics' Hawkeye as one of his favorite characters. He had developed several of the characters years before, noting he had been working on Slick since high school; however, Burn-Out took longer to solidify, and went through the working identities of Briquette and Rude Girl at various points in the book's development. [1] Busiek was enthusiastic about Eclipse's recently devised combined universe, and designed The Liberty Project to allow future crossovers with other Eclipse titles. [2] As a result, The Liberty Project #6 would see a guest appearance from Airboy character Valkyrie. The title was Fred Burke's first editorial work after joining Eclipse, and he embraced Gerard Jones' description of the series as "the X-Men the way The X-Men ought to be done". [3]

Publication history

The Liberty Project trade paperback, artist James W. Fry and Andrew Pepoy. RepLibBook.jpg
The Liberty Project trade paperback, artist James W. Fry and Andrew Pepoy.

The Liberty Project ran for eight issues until 1988 before its cancellation - with the book ending with the in-universe closure of the Liberty Project programme itself. [4] Eclipse editor-in-chief Cat Yronwode would claim she was frequently asked why the character of Savage was killed off. [5] Hoping it would draw more attention for further Liberty Project issues, Busiek was eager for the characters to appear in Eclipse's Total Eclipse crossover series, also edited by Burke. He and Fry were then commissioned to produce the one-shot Total Eclipse - The Seraphim Objective to tie in with the series. [6] Burke described the one-shot as "Liberty Project #9", and hoped that the characters' prominent role in the crossover would boost their chances of future appearances. [7]

Busiek and Fry retained the rights to the characters after the conclusion of the series, and in 1993 featured them in Jack Kirby's TeenAgents, part of the Secret City Saga published by Topps Comics, with two new members added. [8] Original member Crackshot was absent from the Topps incarnation of the team; Fry explained this was because he had successfully earned parole through the programme during the publication hiatus, though the artist felt he was still a potential ally for his former team-mates [9] In July 2003, About Comics reprinted the Eclipse series in a single trade paperback. [10]

Synopsis

After the U.S. government quickly learns that the cost of locking up super-powered criminals is prohibitive, the original four team members — Cimarron, Crackshot, Slick, and Burnout — are offered an early parole in exchange for protecting their country against other super-powered criminals under the Liberty Project initiative.

The original line-up of Crackshot, Slick, Burnout and Cimarron was joined by the violent Savage. The team battle the alien Seraphim and super-powered criminal team the Silver City Wranglers, former colleagues of Cimarron. Savage was killed after walking out on the team; the resulting fall-out saw the Liberty Project closed down.

Characters

The Liberty Project

The Silver City Wranglers

A team of super-criminals based in Silver City, New Mexico.

The Seraphim

A group of alien criminals exiled from their homeworld for their crimes; their species has inherent psionic powers. Their members are Aliff, Dofan, Krul, twins Trell and Trill, and Znaid.

Collected editions

TitleISBNRelease dateIssues
The Liberty Project ISBN   0971633827 July 2003The Liberty Project #1-8

Reception

Reviewing the last issue of the series for Amazing Heroes , Andy Mangels praised the title's characterisation and Busiek's development as a writer. [4] Don Markstein noted the concept's similarity to DC Comics' Suicide Squad, while Busiek's own Thunderbolts would later touch on similar themes. [11]

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References

  1. "Top of the News (advertisement)". Amazing Heroes . No. 119. Fantagraphics Books. June 15, 1987.
  2. Bob Hughes (June 1, 1988). "Enlarging the Penumbra". Amazing Heroes . No. 142. Fantagraphics Books.
  3. Hank Kanalz (June 1, 1988). "Total Burke". Amazing Heroes . No. 142. Fantagraphics Books.
  4. 1 2 Andy Mangels (April 15, 1988). "Comics in Review". Amazing Heroes . No. 139. Fantagraphics Books.
  5. "Top of the News (advertisement)". Amazing Heroes . No. 147. Fantagraphics Books. August 15, 1988.
  6. "Top of the News (advertisement)". Amazing Heroes . No. 143. Fantagraphics Books. June 15, 1988.
  7. Ed Sample (July 15, 1988). "The Liberty Project". Amazing Heroes . No. 145/Preview Special 7. Fantagraphics Books.
  8. "The Liberty Project". International Hero.
  9. "Crackshot". International Hero.
  10. "The Liberty Project". About Comics .
  11. "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: The Liberty Project". Don Markstein's Toonopedia .