The Foundation

Rozum and Chee's series has a promising start, but the ensuing story never quite lives up to expectations. The story follows an organization founded by Nostradamus with the mission of using its considerable wealth to prevent the 16th century seer's disastrous predictions from coming true. As the 21st century begins and the prophecies refer to current events with increasing frequency, Agent Stephen Valentine, a veteran field operative, is experiencing doubts about his life's work. Rozum uses the reader's expectations of the archetypal secret conspiracy thriller to create genuinely surprising moments as Agent Valentine investigates a possible terrorist attack on New York's water supply. But by the resolution so little has been revealed about the motivations of any of the major characters that it's difficult to care about what happens. Chee's art creates a dark and shadowy atmosphere suited to the story's content, but it isn't always strong on emotional nuance. In the end there are too many questions raised and not enough answers given, although there's clearly an intention to continue the story. (Oct.)