As usual with this parallel set, the result is of impeccable quality from the point of view of form, because it is a solid work done by excellent professionals. The characters are immediately endearing (or repulsive) and plot immediately involved. The suspense is relentless and so the player passes, whatever happens, a good time of entertainment.
This new story is devoted to the origins of Steve Rowland, hitman indoctrinated into the secret organization linked to the vast conspiracy to establish a fascist dictatorship in the United States. Specifically, Rowland is the direct executor of the assassination of President William Sheridan. From his childhood in a wealthy family to extremist ideas to its recruitment of elite troops "SPADS" ("Special Assault & Destroying Sections"), follows the journey of this soldier from the shadows, betrayed by his accomplices and sponsors ...
This fifth volume is a departure from previous insofar as it does not highlight a character that the reader "knew" already. Indeed, when the main series begins, Steve Rowland is already dead and the player never really encounter.
From this point of view, this parallel story avoids the pitfall of the previous not decreasing impact and mysterious dimension that some characters could operate on the reader by revealing their past too. Steve Rowland never really "existed" in the series, it is a blank character interpretation.
In the same way that XIII Mystery 3: Little Jones, this fifth installment is becoming a new narrative derivative that manages to give depth to the main frame by paying more attention to the workings of the almost mythological world of main series rather than the "origins" of his characters. The positive point is that it can be read as a real prologue to the Day of the Black Sun, bringing a whole lot of very interesting information to the reader. The negative is that the characterization of the characters is a bit since shipped into the background.
On several occasions, Fabien Nury tries a breakthrough towards political and social satire, pointing the ambivalence of "American Anthem", which includes among its members several conflicting values, some very imperialist, subject to controversy in that they have the will of conquest and ideological supremacy ...
The drawing of Richard Guérineau is a joy for the fans because, although it does not have the characteristic feature of William Vance (historical designer of the saga), he manages to "portraitiser" each character so that it perfectly resembles that inhabited the boards of the original series ...
