Daddy Issues and Tampering with Time

Action Comics #962, 984, 989, 991-997 (October 2016 to April 2018)

#962: "Path of Doom: Conclusion" Writer: Dan Jurgens, Penciller: Stephen Segovia, Inker: Art Thibert, Letterer: Rob Leigh, Colorist: Ulises Arreola.

Lois and her son Jon are safely sequestered on the Watchtower with Wonder Woman while Superman struggles to contain Doomsday. During the battle, Superman lures Doomsday to a fortress similar to the Kryptonian one, but is hard pressed to defeat his foe until Wonder Woman intervenes. Together, they succeed in sending Doomsday to the Phantom Zone.

Part of Rebirth, this comic includes multiple supermen: Clark Kent out of costume, the Superman with Lois and their son Jon, and a super Lex Luthor. There's also a cloaked scythe-wielding stranger who somehow "intercepted the projection" and captured Doomsday en route to the Phantom Zone.

The issue includes ads for Snickers (Woman Woman is as cranky as Doomsday when she gets hungry!), Midtown Comics, DCBS, action figures, and NC Comicon. There are also several house ads: Doom Patrol, Shade the Changing Girl, Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye, Mother Panic, Blue Beetle, Teen Titans, and Cyborg, as well as a checklist of comics on sale Sept. 7-28, 2016.

Esoteric Time

The Shell of the Self of the Senses #26-27 (self-published, March-April 2018, $10)
Limited to a print run of 80, Ron Rege, Jr.'s monthly minicomic experiments with the form in terms of size and shape, and content—artwork, as well as storytelling and narrative. #26 is a very small, 40-page mini collecting a series of glyphs drawn in 2012 and featuring notes from a lecture Dr. Stephen Hoeller gave about the Krotona Theosophical community active in the Hollywood Hills in the early 20th century. "There is time, and then there is esoteric time." The glyphs are just slightly more than doodles and remind me a little of Almine's timemaps and sigils.



#27 is a little closer to a standard minicomic. The eight-page digest is a sampler of sorts featuring playful pixies, interstellar energetic angels, folk dancing, family life, and holistically extensive hair. I just love Rege's artwork—even when it's experiment and sketchbook rather than comic narrative and story. This is a monthly experiment worth supporting.



Availability: You can subscribe to Rege's monthly minicomic for $10/month. Last year, Fantagraphics published two Rege books: The Cartoon Utopia and What Parsifal Saw. The Weaver Festival Phenomenon was also recently published.

Patchwork Anime

Robotech #9 (Titan, June 2018, $3.99)
Following an initial run written by Brian Wood, the new Robotech adaptation published by Titan is now written by Simon Furman. The comic is still drawn by Marco Turini, whose near-realistic portrayal of the characters helps make this modern retelling of the patchwork anime quite compelling. In this issue, Azonia and Breetai discuss the escape of the Micronians while, on the SDF-1, Thomas Riley Edwards is in custody and under suspicion.



Bron, Rico, and Konda have infiltrated the batlefortress posing as Micronians, and Breetai lets off some steam while Lisa Hayes and her crew receive an SOS. Rick Hunter and several other Veritech pilots go to Mars to see what's what and are attacked. Breetai viciously pummels Max with a piece torn from his own battloid, in the end again capturing a handful of Micronians—including a blinded Hunter.



It's a little disorienting coming back to the series midstream, having read the first few issues—and having seen the anime up to this point—before taking a break, so I recommend reading it as a run from the beginning. Regardless, the series continues to be an intriguing and worthwhile update and adaptation of the classic anime.

Availability: Issues #1-4 have been collected, as have #5-8. Robotech: The Macross Saga is also available on DVD.

A New Number Six

The Prisoner: The Uncertainty Machine #1-2 (Titan, June 2018, $3.99)
When I first learned about this comic, published in part to help celebrate the TV show's 50th anniversary, I was excited—but expected it to be a straightforward tie-in comic or adaptation of the show. Imagine my surprise when I read the first two issues and realized it was not an adaptation, but an all-new story occurring in the Village—and in the present day! This comic is much better than I was expecting, and that's a pleasant surprise.



Written by Peter Milligan and drawn by Colin Lorimer, with #1's cover by Mike Allred, the series focuses on a new Number Six, an MI5 agent named Breen who is framed as a traitor and forced to go on the lam after a mission gone wrong in the Middle East. His partner Carey captured, Breen returns home to a new assignment: Go to the Village and "liquidate" Carey.



It's not entirely clear whether Breen's arrival at the Village is planned or otherwise, but there we find him, wearing the characteristic black jacket with white piping. #2 opens with another hallucinatory flashback—a Milligan hallmark—this time to childhood, as the Village's proprietors try to get to Breen's memories. He evades his escorts and finds Carey's cabin before attempting an escape. Rovers take on a double decker bus, and the issue ends with a bang after Breen eats some cheese with a strange texture.

I look forward to #3, and reading the comic inspired me to watch the first episode of the series again—TV at its finest.

Availability: A collection of this comic series will be published in October. An unpublished comic by Jack Kirby and Gil Kane (!!!) will be published next month. DC published a graphic novel titled Shattered Visage in 1991. You can also get the show on DVD.

Without His Powers

The Flash #40 (DC, April 2018, $2.99)
The issue opens with a bang, as Grodd and Raijin try to control the Flash—Grodd dying of the Silence and seeking to "draw forth the Speed Force and save my life." Meanwhile, Central City is trapped in an energy field, its own speed also being drained. The Flash attempts to persuade Grodd to stop. "I promise we'll find you a cure." Kid Flash disarms Raijin, and Avery grabs the lightning wand.

Grodd probes the Flash's mind further, believing that without his powers, the Flash would be nothing. Grodd's helpers, including Meena—Negative Flash—strap the Flash to a machine, transferring the power to Grodd, leaving our speedy hero powerless as Barry Allen—and leading Grodd to realize that even his Speed Force isn't enough.



Wally West saves Allen from a major fall and—with little upset or self-pity—is named by Allen the new Flash of Central City by Allen.

To a reader who hasn't been keeping up with Joshua Williamson's current storyline, this issue feels a little hellbent and linear, and the loss of Allen's powers underemphasized... or at least causing little reaction or concern. Losing the Speed Force should be a bigger deal, perhaps. Regardless, my son loves this comic—and I do enjoy Grodd—so it was an interesting read. We'll have to see what came before... and what happens next!

Read Also: The Flash Annual #1.

Availability: You can buy this issue online. #28-32 have been collected in The Flash Vol. 5: Negative.

Ragman's Rags

Ragman #3 (DC, February 2018, $2.99)
Chapter three of this new series written by Ray Fawkes and drawn by Inaki Miranda progresses the story in three important ways. First of all, Ragman encounters Batwoman, who tells him that other heroes in the city are watching him, that he's not alone. "Anyone who says he's got eyes on us in this mess is lying, sir."



Secondly, Rory's fellow Marine, Jim Fanshawe, emerges as a villain. Left limbless by a bomb while serving overseas, he is visited by a mysterious figure and turned into a force to be reckoned with. "His flesh is toxic, the ooze infernal." And third, a damaged summoning circle in an abandoned theater doesn't summon the expected invading lord Z'Dargill, but Etrigan, the Demon, who helps turn the tide. (The Demon also currently has his own series; does Ragman cross over to its pages?)

I haven't read the preceding series, but this new outing seems to have more in common with the '90s titles than the original 1976 series. Interestingly, Elaine Lee wrote the 1993 miniseries Cry of the Dead. More could be done artistically with Ragman's rags, but the art is enjoyable, particularly those pages portraying Fanshawe.

Availability: You can buy this issue online. This series will be collected in July.

DC's Hogwarts

Mystik U #1 (DC, January 2018, $5.99)
Inspired by a recent Zatanna appearance in Detective Comics #959,  I picked this up—and it might be the most fun comic I've read in awhile. Imagine, if you will, if Harry Potter existed in the DC universe. He'd go to Mystik University, natch, and Mystik U is DC's Hogwarts. The series—written by Alisa Kwitney and drawn by Mike Norton—takes place seven years pre-Malevolence, which smacks of the name of a big comic event, but I'm not aware of a Malevolence. Regardless, it doesn't sound good and is clearly worth avoiding.



A current-day Zatanna is sent into the past by Rose to "weave us a different beginning." There, she is sent to Mystik U after accidentally sending her father to hell while on stage. "You've just come into your power." At the school, she meets several new friends, including Sebastian Faust, Pia, Davit, and June Moone, the Enchantress. She also meets members of the university's staff and faculty, including Cain and Abel, a troll named Gerd, Merlin, Baron Winter, and Mr. E.



A "rampaging invertebrate" threatens the campus. It is found to be friendly, but not immediately. Along the way, characters are introduced, students hook up, and the emergence of a larger threat is identified. The comic is very promising. It has an interesting cast, a fascinating setting, and a firm but flexible footing in DC's mystical comics history.

What I think might be most interesting is the tenor and tone. Yes, the comic is grounded in DC's horror lineage: House of Mystery, House of Secrets, the Phantom Stranger, and Secrets of Sinister House. But the comic is anything but dark or heavy. It's light and breezy without being flip or dismissive, not at all dark or heavy—despite its subject matter. There are so many possibilities.

Availability: We recommend Zatanna by Paul Dini and Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark.

Interesting but Not Important

X-Men Blue #15, 17-18 (Marvel, January-February 2018, $3.99)
This is another X-Men comic series that emerged out of Inhumans vs. X-Men. It comprises the original X-Men—Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Angel, Beast, and Iceman—displaced in time and joined by Jimmy Hudson, son of a Wolverine from another universe. Confused yet? It's a fun read, although not the return to the original team I was looking for, and a good example of how complicated and convoluted an X-Men comic can seem if you haven't immersed yourself in the world for awhile.

#15 is the last part of the Mojo Worldwide storyline and was written by Cullen Bunn and drawn by Jorge Molina. Broadcast terrorist Mojo has left the Mojoverse to terraform New York as his new base of operations. Given that this is the last issue, most of the action is behind us, but a lot still happens. Iceman and Magog face off while others on the team get Longshot to the control room to disrupt transmissions. "Take the fight to these broadcast technicians!" The battle with Mojo himself takes a turn with the arrival of Danger, Magneto, and Polaris, but Mojo's defeat isn't complete—opening up a fascinating new opportunity for stories.



This was a great comic to read so soon after the Astonishing X-Men run featuring the Shadow King. Mojo and Farouk have a lot in common! I will have to seek out the preceding issues, as well as other Mojo greatest hits.

#17-18, then pick up in the Cross Time Capers storyline, again written by Bunn and now drawn by R.B. Silva. Because of the paradox that the X-Men Blue team represents, the time stream is crumbling, and the group has been thrown into 2099. There, they meet another X team, which includes Skullfire, Bloodhawk, Cerebra, Metalhead, and Krystalin. (It's awesome to see a writer creating new characters, even if it's in an alternative timeline or universe!)

The team learns that they—in this timeline—took over a company called Alchemax, which led to massive class division and suffering, Sentinel-like killer robots, and perhaps the destruction of Xavier's school, run in this timeline by Banshee and Emma Frost. (Confused yet?) Despite some interesting possibilities, it all feels a little unimportant and unreal given that it's in an alternative time stream. And if the team's very existence is having such deleterious effect on time itself, the group—and this title—might not be long for the world.



This series is kind of a What If? series, only focusing on the X-Men, and with a consistent roster. It's interesting, but perhaps not as important as Astonishing X-Men or X-Men Gold.

Availability: X-Men Blue #1-6 were collected in X-Men Blue Vol. 1: Strangest, and #7-12 are available in X-Men Blue Vol. 2: Toil and Trouble. Otherwise, you can buy the issues online. The Mojo Worldwide storyline will be collected in February in X-Men Gold Vol. 3: Mojo Worldwide. Cross Time Capers will come out as X-Men Blue Vol. 3: Cross-Time Capers in April.

Attacking the World's Psychics

Astonishing X-Men #2-7 (Marvel, October 2017 to March 2018, $3.99)
One of several X-Men team books coming out of Inhumans vs. X-Men, this comic—the fourth series with this title—is written by Charles Soule. It features a team led by Psylocke including Logan, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, Fantomex, Bishop, and Angel. That grouping's not too dissimilar from the 1994-1995 pre-Age of Apocalypse Uncanny X-Men team.

This run of issues, which includes the bulk of the Life of X storyline and kicks off the storyline A Man Called X, is not just a fun read, but an important event in the history of the X-Men. Amahl Farouk, the Shadow King, has been attacking the world's psychics to find one strong enough to help him bring his darkness completely to the world.



Professor X, believed dead since Cyclops killed him in Avengers Vs. X-Men, is in fact still active on the astral plane (!!!), and challenges Farouk to distract him. Meanwhile, Psylocke, protected by Angel and Bishop, sends the X-Men to find Farouk, as well.

Soule's writing is solid—he's one of my favorite superhero writers—and there's a different artist every issue. #2 is drawn by Mike Deodato, Jr., perhaps the best of the bunch. The other issues are drawn by Ed McGuinness, Carlos Pacheco, Ramon Rosanas (perhaps the next best in this run of issues), Mike del Mundo, and Phil Noto.

Without offering a play-by-play description of the issues, here are some highlights:

#2: The splash panel with Farouk and Professor X, seeing various team members cycle through the same dramatic roles in an imagined play, and Wolverine sniffing Beast
#3: Wolverine's goals ("Logan has built himself a reality. A very simple one, with only two elements. The lair of his enemy, and a path leading to it."), and Angel's forgiveness
#4: Carlos Pacheco's cover, Bishop's fall, and the temptations of the imagined realities
#5: The possessed Gambit and pp. 12-13
#6: The issue's dreamlike quality and the return of X
#7: Phantomex's choice, the return of Proteus, and a Marvel Value Stamp

This is an X series worth reading. Soule's up to some fun stuff, and even with the shift in story lines, there are still enough open threads that it's not entirely clear where things will go.

Availability: #1-6 will be collected in Astonishing X-Men by Charles Soule Vol. 1: Life of X in March this year. You can also buy these issues online.

Escape the Inescapable

Mister Miracle #1-5 (DC, November 2017 to February 2018, $3.99)
Now, this is a comic book. Written by Tom King and drawn by Mitch Gerads, this comic is more than just a new series featuring Jack Kirby's 1970s Fourth World character. In fact, it was somewhat difficult at first to read Kirby's naming while reading someone else's work. That soon changed as the series became its own thing, and a thing worth reading.



I'm not going to recount the plot or events of these five issues. Just know that the New Gods are here. Darkseid has returned, and Orion, erstwhile highfather, is leading the forces against him. He enlists—commands—the aid of Mister Miracle and his wife Barda, who soon fall short of his expectations.

But things aren't as they seem. Mister Miracle tries to escape the inescapable at the outset, and much of the series reads as though a fever dream. Is this real? What is the meaning of life? Is Funky Flashman John Byrne? (He contributed to New Gods in the mid-'90s.) For the most part, the comic book is a meditation on meaning, on love, on family. #4's trial and #5's couple's day out are particularly wonderful examples of modern superhero storytelling. More than a superhero comic, this is a very human comic—mundane and fantastic in equal measure.

Availability: You can buy individual issues online. The original 18 issues have also been collected.

Festive Fables

DC Holiday Special 2017 (DC, February 2018, $9.99)
Thank you, DC, for publishing this. Once major comics publishers stopped running backup stories (or tryout books) as a matter of course, annuals and one shots like this used to be the most effective tryout opportunities we had for new artists and writers looking to break into the Big Two. Now that even annuals and one shots are few and far between, books like this are a surprise. And this one—despite the mixed quality occasionally resulting from tryout opportunities—is solid and impressive.



Framed by a bookend piece written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Giuseppi Camuncoli—and featuring John Constantine and Superman, of all people—this holiday special includes nine "festive fables" featuring a mix of popular and promising characters, including Batman, Green Arrow and Black Canary, Sgt. Rock, the Flash, Deathstroke, the Atomic Knights, the Teen Titans, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman and Batman. The book also includes a reprint of "The Silent Night of the Batman," pairing Neal Adams and Dick Giordano artistically from Batman #219 in February 1970.

The special also includes a mix of well-known and less-established creators, as well—which helps result in the even-balanced context of the stories. Among the highlights of the issue are the moody Batman story written by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Steve Epting; the amazing, largely muted-colored Sgt. Rock piece offered by Tom King and Francesco Francavilla (by far the best thing in the special—and perhaps a sign that the time has come for a Sgt. Rock return); and the Atomic Knights story from Dan DiDio and Matthew Clark (the Knights continue to intrigue and impress me; I wonder how well they do with other readers?).



Two pieces really surprised me. Joshua Williamson and Neil Googe's Flash item, while not sporting the kind of artwork I am usually drawn to, really affected me emotionally. And the Deathstroke item by Priest and Tom Grummett suggests that perhaps DC should just drop the silly costume and retool Deathstroke as a Quarry-like hit man or gun for hire.

Well done, DC. Thank you for continuing to give the gift of your comics. May 2018 bring only the best and brightest.

Availability: You can buy this issue online. The Batman reprint was also collected in Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2.

Living a Fantastic Life

Marvel 2-In-One #1 (Marvel, February 2018, $3.99)
I was very much looking forward to this book. While not a return or new volume of the old Thing team-up book Marvel Two-In-One, the new series is very much a return of the Fantastic Four—or, well, two—as Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, team up again. We haven't seen issue of Fantastic Four—or even a story—for a couple of years now, and I am hopeful as heck that we'll see a return one way or another. They are much missed.



So don't miss this potential sleeper of a comic. Written by Chip Zdarsky and drawn by Jim Cheung, this comic is a solid homage to the stories of the past—and a welcome new focus and direction for the remaining team members. Johnny Storm is struggling, concerned about losing his powers over time, and pushing himself—testing himself—in risky ways. He and Grimm are estranged, but Spider-Man encourages the Thing to reach out to Storm, even giving him the keys to a storage unit chock full of stuff from the old Baxter Building.



There, the Thing finds his old chair, plenty of memories, the Fantasticar—and Doom! Doom is there to return something he pilfered from the Baxter Building: an orb intended for Grimm to access upon Reed Richards's death. Richards leaves the Thing a device called the Multisect and encourages Grimm to continue living a fantastic life—with the Human Torch, as well.

The two heroes reunite, albeit uncomfortably, and will soon head to Monster Island to look for the device. I bet Doom wants that device. This comic has all the signs of a promising new series, as well as the return of a much-missed force in Marvel comics.

Availability: This issue is available online. I also recommend Essential Marvel Two-In-One Volume 1 and Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The World's Greatest Comic Magazine.

The God Con

Hellblazer #16 (DC, January 2018, $3.99)
I haven't read Hellblazer for awhile. I'm not sure I like the mainstreaming of the Vertigo books into the DC universe proper, and I'm particularly not sure that John Constantine is easily pigeonholed with the Swamp Thing and Phantom Stranger like the publisher did with Justice League Dark or even Forever Evil: Blight.



But Richard Kadrey—Richard f*ck*ng Kadrey—as writer is enough to bring me back in. Because if anyone can save Constantine (and after that movie, he needs saving), it's Kadrey. The author of wonderful books such as Metrophage (read it, already), excellent comics such as Accelerate (drawn by the Pander Brothers, naturally, because who else can draw Kadrey?), and author of the more recent and relatively popular series of Sandman Slim novels, Kadrey's pen is mighty.

Dude, what did you do to me? This comic sucks. I'm glad that you wrote #17, too, so I can see if things improve—and so you already drew check—but oh, my goodness. It's like an Amanda Palmer fan wrote an issue of Testament after watching Preacher. Seriously.

Davide Fabbri and Joe Marzan, Jr., could be drawing anything. "I never pictured you for the god con." Profanities are dingbatted. P. 6 goes five panel, which suggests some page design consideration. But otherwise, it's like a Dresden Files novel until the Halloween Demon shows up.

Kad, you pushed all the buttons. Why didn't you rip open the machine?

Availability: You can buy this issue online.  But the best thing you can do is read Metrophage.

Stayed on Message

Daredevil #595 (Marvel, January 2018, $3.99)
Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Stefano Landini, this issue—a special Legacy issue and part one of the "Mayor Fisk" story arc—sports a cover by Bill Sienkiewicz. While I'm not sold on Landini's artwork (it's not quite photorealistic, but similar to rotoscoping or traced photography), I did enjoy several artistic moments, including pp. 8-9 and the representation of DD's sonar on p. 10, pp. 13-14. and p. 17. Overall, Landini adequately captures the dark realism of the series and character.



So it's the story that sings here. Perhaps not as ideal as #28 was, this issue still trips some prime Daredevil triggers for new and long-time readers alike. "How the hell did the Kingpin become the mayor of New York City?" In part, it could be a parable for our current presidency (in fact, some of Soule's writing even suggests that that's the case—"Fisk never denied it. Never even addressed it. Just stayed on message.").

Fisk's even ordered the District Attorney's office to investigate the vigilantes in the city, including Daredevil. Matt Murdock is personally assigned that case, perhaps to encourage him to find other work. On Daredevil's nightly rounds of Hell's Kitchen, he is entrapped by police officers impersonating a mugger and its victim, and arrested. Fisk is meeting with Hammerhead, one of the Maggia crime bosses, as DD approaches his office. Daredevil and the new mayor of New York City meet briefly—and the manhunt begins.

The issue also features one of 53 Marvel Value Stamps and a three-page origin retelling written by Robbie Thompson and drawn by Rod Reis. Interestingly, on the Digital Copy Offer page, Marvel breaks down the title's Legacy numbering—which is very helpful indeed.

Availability: You can buy this issue online. Soule's run on the title continued in Daredevil: Back in Black Vol. 2: Supersonic.

Make the World Better

Detective Comics #968 (DC, January 2018, $2.99)
While I've been enjoying reading Batman (see "The Bat's New Paramour"), I've also been enjoying Detective Comics as it builds toward #1000. This issue opens with a brief vignette featuring Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong registering a formal complaint until Brother Eye comes online and he decides to "finally see what all my toys can do."

Then we return to the Batcave, where a Tim from the future (who we'll call Batman Tim) is fighting Batman, Jason, the current Tim (Red Robin), Dick, and Damian. Batman Tim makes the case that Batwoman will betray everyone and that Batman's mission—their mission—is a curse that "systematically destroys each of our lives."



The battle shifts to the Belfry, where Batwoman, Clayface, and others await Batman Tim's arrival—and as Batman Tim fights against the time stream, which "doesn't want to be changed." Red Robin suggests that "you can stand up and make the world better. ... You can bring the people in who lift you up and make you stronger. You can be a full person."

As the conclusion to the "A Lonely Place of Living" storyline, the writing by James Tynion IV was very well done, and Alvaro Martinez's artwork ably balanced the fight scene and action sequences, as well as the more dialogue-oriented progress. The issue offers a solid commentary on the cost of heroism—and the call to do the good one can rather than take an easier, less involved but more "normal" life path.



Availability: This issue will be collected in the forthcoming Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living, expected in April 2018. The most recent available collection is Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4: Deus Ex Machina.

The Bat's New Paramour

Batman #33-35 (DC, December 2017 to January 2018, $2.99)
I've been enjoying Tom King's writing in Batman, and these issues start the storyline "The Rules of Engagement," which opens up a new direction for Batman and Catwoman.

Drawn by Joelle Jones, #33 opens with the two traveling across a desert on horseback. The first five pages are very slowly paced and quietly presented, giving the new couple a brief moment of comfortable togetherness. The counterpoint scene in Wayne Manor is also quiet and homey—affectionate and joking before Alfred informs Damian, Jay, Thomas, and the others ("The mansion, like this family... is as large as it needs to be.") about Bruce Wayne's illegal mission to Khadym.



With the help of the tiger king of Kandahar and "a little girl," Batman gets past the guard in the desert appointed by the Justice League of America. Soon, he'll meet again the "daughter of the demon."

Following #33's slow pace and gentle unfolding, #34 offers an alternative approach. Batman and Catwoman face "a lot" of enemies, the silent soldiers of the pit, as well as a very angry ex-girlfriend. The three-page fight scene is clever and brisk. "The bounce of their jaws on my knuckles. It's off. They don't have tongues." After telling Talia al Ghul why they're there, Batman falls to her sword. She then faces the Bat's new paramour, the Cat.



While Damian waits outside for his parents with Richard, Talia meets Selina. Their conversation is more important than their combat, although that's cleverly presented, too. "As much as I want him to love me, I'll always be second to a child's idiotic fantasy." All in all, their journey to Khadym ends well.

I'm quite impressed by how lovingly and tenderly these three issues unfolded. King has a real affection for the characters, and they have a real affection for each other, as complicated as the world of Supermen and Misters Terrific might be.

Availability: These issues of Batman have yet to be collected. The most recent Tom King collection is Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles. And Catwoman: A Celebration of 75 Years collects some of the better Catwoman stories over the years.

The Art of a Master

Deadman #1 (DC, January 2018, $3.99)
After the recent miniseries Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love, I was excited to see this new six-issue Deadman series, especially because it was written and drawn (and colored!) by Neal Adams, who drew some of Deadman's earliest stories in Strange Adventures and other titles in the '60s. But be warned: This first issue is messy in several ways.

First of all, the comic isn't much of a reintroduction of Deadman as it is jumping right back into an ongoing Deadman storyline, if there was one. So if you're new to the character, don't let yourself be overly put off. There are a couple of pages of back-story exposition to explain the connection between Deadman and Hook, but other than that, new readers are largely on their own.



Secondly, Adams is inking his own pencils, which means that—while readers get to revel in the art of a master—the resulting art is relatively sketchy and scribbly, rather than featuring a cleaner line had the art been inked by, say, Dick Giordano. That effect is compounded by the full-page nature of the art. There are no outer margin panel borders (i.e. there are full-bleed panels), and many pages are free of in-page gutters, as well. That can make for some awesome panel and page design. It can also make for some confusing visuals. Adams doesn't pull readers through a page like Gene Day might have.

Boston Brand remembers searching for Hook, his killer, while watching Commissioner Gordon on a tour of Japanese nuclear sites. After encountering a mysterious stranger, Gordon faces Hook, who tries to kill him. He and Brand team up to fight Hook. Brand then turns his search to the Sensei, Hook's employer. Possessing Alfred and Gordon, Deadman learns that Batman didn't kill the Sensei, so his search continues.



The story is a little difficult to follow, as are the visuals, but it's a fun read all the same. Deadman is an underutilized character, and I'm glad that DC continues to showcase him occasionally. Adams's art that makes this comic notable, even if the pencils might benefit from another inker.

Availability: The three issues of Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love have been collected. Adams's earlier Deadman work in Strange Adventures, Brave and the Bold, and other series has been collected in two volumes (1, 2).