Editor's Note: The Twelve #6 arrives in stores tomorrow, June 11.

"I can't write. I can't fly. I'm not super-strong. I can't do what they do. But I know there has to be a place for me." – Phantom Reporter

Twelve heroes from the 1940s are frozen and brought back to life in the future of 2008. No, this isn't Captain America times twelve. It's a carefully crafted tale from J. Michael Straczynski (Supreme Power), creator of the Babylon 5 TV show.

You might expect the series to be these flawless heroes of a better time that return and take on old nazi villains, but this series takes a number of unexpected turns. These characters are not two-dimensional cut outs, but rather flawed characters who feel very real.

The series is at its halfway point, and where are we now?

Blue Blade has begun a TV career that appears to be ending quickly. The Laughing Mask is arrested for a murder he committed seventy years ago. Black Widow is harboring a bloody and dark secret while hanging out at a Goth club. The Phantom Reporter can't get over his feelings for Black Widow, and he is struggling to find his place in this new world. Excello has a vision. We discover the true tragic origin of Rockman. Electro is still rusting away in storage. Captain Wonder and Dynamic Man are doing their superhero thing, but we find that Dynamic Man – the man of tomorrow – doesn't care much for the tomorrow that is.

I'm really enjoying this series from JMS. I sometimes wonder if he is tackling too many characters, since many of them have had barely any "screen time" in the miniseries. Probably the real star of the miniseries is Phantom Reporter. He is more of an everyman character out of place in time.

Another series with a similar premise is Project: Superpowers. I do like that book, but this miniseries is a much different take. We go far deeper into their psychology and explore their flaws and struggles as they try to find their place in this almost alien world. The miniseries is a little quirky at times and may not have enough action for some readers, but it is a great exploration of these characters and the world in which they lived.

It is a little odd not to see any other Marvel characters, but it's probably a good call. They would only distract from us getting to know these characters. I hope that we see these characters carry on after the miniseries and become integrated into the overall Marvel universe. I would like to see more of Phantom Reporter, Rockman, Captain Wonder and others as they run into other heroes and villains of the Marvel universe. DC has had the monopoly over superhero legacy with their Justice Society of America, but this is a chance for Marvel to expand their heroic legacy.

I also really love the covers to each of the books in this miniseries. They really capture the pulp feel and help them stand out in the masses of books currently out there. The interior art (courtesy of British artist Chris Weston) works fairly well, especially considering the type of story. It is very detailed (which I love), but sometimes I feel it's a little static, and sometimes the anatomy is a little off.

There is a big moment that happens at the end of this issue. I really loved the subtle clues in the panels as it happens, and I can't wait to see what the fallout is in the next issue.

I have no idea where JMS is taking us, but I'm confident that I will enjoy the rest of the ride there. This miniseries may not have enough action for some readers or may feel too "decompressed" of a style of storytelling for other readers, but I feel that it works especially since we know that there are a finite amount of issues leading us to what I suspect will be a powerful conclusion.

Final Word: A well-written series that explores the dark flaws in twelve characters from a different and also flawed time in our history.

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