Review: Frontier Forever - Regenesis
After a long period of machine rule, Earth has become a reservation for the way life had once been. The embargo protecting humanity's homeworld from the insidious technology that affords the rest of civilisation life amongst the stars has been corrupted and the Athena-class Marshal is sent to investigate.
Frontier Forever - Regenesis by writer Ben Krieger and artist Gianmaria Orlandi is a cyberpunk Western set on an Earth transformed beyond recognition. Technology is strictly limited. A few megacities remain, sealed under domes, but most people live in towns or settlements resembling 19th century American colonies. One such is Mechanicsburg, ruled over by smuggler kingpin Mister Morton, who is illegally creating weapons using migrant labourers with computer-brain interface tech.
To counter this affront to the natural order, Earth's steward the Matron (an elderly nun in a luxurious orbiting spacecraft) has initiated the production of the Athena-class Marshal, a genetically engineered warrior. Born fully grown with implanted memories and conditioning, the tall blonde woman is provided with a logistical guidance ordinance (LGO or Logo), a cybernetic arm sheath that integrates with her central nervous system via microscopic fibres. The glove fires a very effective energy beam. She also has the 'longcoat', an armoured bike with the capability to reconfigure itself into different vehicle types as required.
Meanwhile the Onondaga tribe prepare to send two of their finest youths out into the wilderness. Fifteen-year old twin brothers Rhodes and Pathos have already proved themselves as very able hunters and warriors.
Conflicts with poachers has forced the Onondaga and Starrletts, a multispecies herd of sapient animals, to work together to protect their territory. The twins have formed a special bond with Lincoln, a gorillion (gorilla-lion hybrid).
As part of their initiation, the twins are separated and sent off in opposite directions to face the challenges of nature alone...
The Marshal carries out her first mission, wiping out one of Morton's illegal desert sweatshops, a task she executes with ruthless efficiency.
This is an intricate, finely-crafted narrative with some very imaginative elements. Rich worldbuilding always pays off, and Krieger has certainly put the work in. The arena he has created is a fascinating one: Earth as one big nature reserve with 'cowboys', 'indians' and talking wildlife. Orlandi illustrates with flair, creating atmospheric backdrops (the stark, red desert; the majestic view of Earth from the Matron's ship) and raw, vital characters.
Inevitably, humans fall short of their own ideals and order must be maintained... often with cold brutality. Our heroine is caught between criminals with no morality and a government with no mercy. Is there any hope of her discovering her own humanity?
The tribal twins are exceptional natural fighters, but will they be any match for technologically-equipped opponents? Their hulking gorillion buddy may help tip the balance...
It will be interesting to see how the paths of these diverse players intersect. Each character has their role predetermined, either by programming or by culture... but does destiny have something else in store?
FRONTIER FOREVER from the website
Zak Webber
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