Uncle Sam & the Freedom Fighters #1 & #2 of 8

"Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters" #1 answers the burning question, "where was the team during Amazon Attacks?" Of course, I kid. No one really cared anything about "Amazon Attacks". The opening of this eight part series finds the team on a deep space mission fending off a hive of bees set on taking over the earth. Writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justing Gray utilize this mission to "upgrade" the Red Bee. Once the team is back on Earth they deal with the after effects of "Amazon Attacks" and Palmiotti and Gray settle into the government intrigue angle of the Freedom Fighters. The team breaks up in the first issue and the reasoning behind the breakup is, well, reasonable. The issue ends showing that things aren't all well with the Red Bee. Issue #2 focuses on Phantom Lady and here Paris Hilton/Brittany Spears-like behavior. It culminates with the team back together for an intervention. While Palmiotti and Gray are not severing up much action, the interactions between the characters and the development of Red Bee and Phatom Lady are handled well.

I didn't think I would like Renato Arlem's art, but it fits the tone of the book. He has a good flare for action sequences as seen on the bee ship and for character interaction. However, did we really need to see Miss America's pink panties. You'd think she would be wearing something to match her uniform.

While I wouldn't recommend this series to a younger audience, the mature themes, characterization, and social commentary are better suited for older readers.