Uncle Sam & The Freedom Fighters #5
	Story: 'Freedom Denied' Writers: Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmotti Art & Cover: Daniel Acuna Letterer: Rob Leigh Editor: Tom Palmer Jr. Published by: DC Comics Based on ideas and concepts developed by Grant Morrison
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

At this point in the story, the middle part, the one after the opening set up and just before the final show down, there isn’t much to say. However, that does not mean that there isn’t much happening on the ‘story building’, or as it has been with these chumps, in the ‘yet more newbies’ front. Not only have I stopped trying to remember their names, they do not even make to the end of the issue. It one of the main reasons why I dropped the prequel to this mini (Battle for Bludhaven) after just two issues. Whether these characters are new ones or ‘New Earth’ reincarnations of rightly forgotten Silver Age rejects, it matters moot, because except for their uniforms and gender (and oh, sure, their names), they all might as well be clones of any one of them.

The other side (Father Time’s lackeys) showed up last issue, this time after Sam and his bunch ‘grounded’ Air Force One with President Gonzo within it. There is the obligatory ‘duke out’ one that looks set to go the same way as the ones before it i.e. for the Freedom Fighters, right until the point someone named Miss America shows up. What happens next is something comparable to taking candy from a baby as from the Human Bomb to Black Condor every Freedom Fighter gets their behinds handed to them, Uncle Sam included.

Elsewhere, while just about every other hero acting like an incompetent, wet behind the ears not to mention in the pants, ninny (Superman and Batman included), the US parliament (senate?) passes some law. What is this law and how does this actually happen? Well, think about how the political (and public) atmosphere was during the days and weeks leading up to the passage of the US Patriot act and transpose it to the DCU, complete with outlooks which meant that anyone daring to voice an opposing opinion instantly got stamped with labels such as unpatriotic, un-American, terrorist (in this case ‘Metahuman’) supporter etc. Oh, how the times have changed.

With Father Time carrying with his Triple-B (Big-Bad-Blowhard) impression, there is just enough space for yet another character(s) to pop his/their head up. Forgive me for I didn’t even bother with his/their names.

About the art, it is also as good (or as bad) as the previous issues. The general figures/outlines are very defined, especially in the fight scenes. However, it is in the details (or rather in the inking and colors) that things don’t quite work out always (for me). Still, although not the best among the BNW minis n’ ongoings (that honor goes to Howard Porter with Trials of Shazam!), the art in Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters is quite good (tied at third with OMAC and just behind The Creeper.) Then again, this is just my opinion.

Conclusion: With all these characters popping up, I am left thinking that had I been a Silver Age junkie I would have liked the story more…much like many of the other Re-Silver Agification changes going on in the Post-IC DCU. Some *NEW* this New Earth is turning out to be.

RATING: 7/10