Doctor Fate #1 (July, 1987)
"Cycles"
Writer - J.M. DeMatteis
Illustrator - Keith Giffen
Inks - Dave Hunt
Letters - Agustin Mas
Colors - Anthony Tollin
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.50
Here's one of those books that I'm going to constantly second-guess myself over. Ya see... look at the cover. The title of the book is "Dr. Fate", as in Dee-Arr (period) Fate. Ya dig?
Inside in the indicia, however, the book is listed as Doctor Fate... as in Dee-Oh-See-Tee-Oh-Arr Fate. So the big question is... how in the hell do I list it?! I've waffled back 'n forth, even as I'm writing this piece... and, finally settled on... Doc... no, make that Dr.... er, maybe not... dammit.
Okay, screw it... this one's gonna be "Doctor Fate"... which I'm sure is going to wind up being the wrong-er of the two.
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We open with Dr. Fate prowling through a snow-covered street... hot on the heels of Typhon, Lord of Chaos. He calls out for the beast to show itself, however, it sends its "sons" instead. Fate continues blasting away, all the while calling out for Typhon... for he, being a Lord of Chaos, is responsible for "spreading lunacy", something that we might assume was happening a whole lot at the time.
Finally, Typhon himself shows up... and accuses the Immortal Dr. Fate of no longer being, ya know, immortal. Realizing that he might just be able to kill his foe this time out, Typhon goes on the offensive. He claims that the time of the Lords of Order has passed... and time now belongs to the Lords of Chaos. Before getting too deep into battle, Dr. Fate... vanishes!
He has called... somewhere, where he is chatted up by the Lords of Order. He's referred to as Nabu... which is the Lord of Order occupying the aging body of Kent Nelson. He asks why they'd summoned him, and they explain... the battle with Chaos is futile... because the battle with Chaos... has already been lost.
Ya see, they explain, all creation is separated into four cycles... or "yugas". The first is "Perfection", all order/no chaos, and it lasts 1,728,000 years. The second is has a little chaos peeking in... the third some more... and finally the fourth, which is basically the end of days. We're in the fourth now... and it's suggested that the mass chaos might have had something to do with the then-recent Crisis (on Infinite Earths).
Dr. Fate's all "screw that noise", and insists he won't stop fighting the Lords of Chaos no matter what... and so, the Lords of Order decide to ask... Kent Nelson what he thinks. Dude's positively ancient, and is probably only still on this side of the ground because of Nabu's inhabitance (is that a word?) within him. He too insists that there's always a chance to fight... but, we get the feeling that he realizes that this will ultimately be a futile endeavor.
We shift scenes to a woman named Linda and a young boy named Eric. Despite some severe reluctance on his part, she's trying to get him to socialize with other kids his own age. He ain't feelin' it though... he tells her that nobody ever likes him. He eventually comes around, and decides to head into the fray for Linda. Don't look now, but they're being watched by a trenchcoated gentleman.
From here, we get the quick 'n dirty on Linda Whatsherface. Turns out she married his aged father for the money... dude was an abusive jerk, who ultimate succumbed to cancer. This only left her and her young step-son, Eric. Ya see, Eric's birth-mother, also married to the jerk, wound up killing herself.
So lost in flashback limbo is Linda, that she doesn't even realize that the trenchcoated gentleman onlooker has abducted her step-son! Upon snapping back to reality, she notices that her boy is gone. As the man and boy walk away, Eric doesn't seem disturbed in the slightest... in fact, he almost expected this to happen.
We shift scenes to Arkham Asylum where we meet Doctor Stoner (laff track here?). He is being visited upon by... Typhon, who informs him that Nelson has taken the boy. So, it looks like Johnny Trenchcoat is actually Kent Nelson. This doesn't seem to be much of a surprise. The conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Stoner's assistant, who reminds him that it's time to make his rounds. We get a panel of the Joker laughing... because, of course we do.
We return to Kent and the Kid. They wander through a graveyard (with an Inza headstone visible) and into a crypt of some sort. Then... Kent's belly starts talking to the child! Ya see, this is Nabu... who Eric recognizes as one of "the Shining Ones". He claims to sometimes see them in the mirror. That's all Nabu needs to hear, it's time to do the thing.
"The thing" is to age Eric's body to adulthood, so it can make a more fitting vessel for Nabu then the decrepit Kent Nelson.
We jump back to Linda, who is still quite unnerved at the loss of her little boy... as, ya know, one might imagine. She is then briefly visited by Doctor Fate... who informs her that Eric Strauss... will be back, before flying away.
And Fate continues to fly... until running right into our pal Typhon. Ya see, it's Eric occupying the Doctor Fate duds right now... with Nabu in the driver's seat. The Lord of Order tells him to open up his soul and let him in... and he'll take care of everything.
Only... he doesn't. Nabu gets Eric into the battle... but then vacates the vessel! Nabu, now back with Kent asks why he didn't "warn" the boy... to which, Kent insists that he tried. Not sure what he could have prepared him for... I mean, the whole thing feels like a set-up. Anyhoo, Typhon is making short work of the inexperienced man-child... whose only recourse is to repeat his name over and over again so he doesn't "lose" himself (I guess).
Next we know, Eric Strauss is laying in the fetal position and being approached by an Officer... and Doctor Stoner. Stoner tells the Officer that Strauss had recently escaped from Arkham, and that he'll take him back to ensure he gets the treatment he needs. Eric is still repeating his name... and also, his age (10 years old). This ain't helping his case any, considering he looks to be a fully-grown adult.
Before we know it, we're back at Arkham... and there's another panel of the Joker laughing, because of course there is. Eric is plopped into his room... which he appears to be sharing with some Lords of Chaos. Dr. Stoner promises that he'll "take care of him from this point on.
We wrap up back at the graveyard, where Kent Nelson is knelt over one headstone in particular... and weeping.
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Not a bad opener... a little confusing, but that's likely by design. I mean, the book is all about "chaos", is it not?
Now, before digging in too deep... Dr. Fate as a solo character doesn't do a whole heckuva lot for me. I wouldn't put him in Spectre or Phantom Stranger territory, but I don't find him to be the most interesting hero out there. In fact, when we were working through 1st Issue Special, it was the Dr. Fate installment that I dreaded the most. Just wasn't looking forward to it.
So, why then, did I even give this issue a look? I mean, it ain't for a lack of potential review fodder. Honestly, I dunno. I was just rifling through the longboxes last night, and this cover just jumped out at me. Sometimes that's all it takes! And by "sometimes", I mean, pretty often. Unless I'm working a "theme" gimmick, we usually roll random here.
Okay, so with all that said. This was a lot of fun, and something of an education. We're in the fourth "yuga", wherein chaos reigns, and it's going to be up to Fate to restore order. Fair enough. We're introduced to Eric Strauss... who, honestly, I don't remember from Adam... but, who will likely be part of the plan. There's also the Arkham angle, which is interesting... especially since Arkham as a plot device hadn't already been run into the dirt by 1987. Could'a done without the Joker cameos, but really, whattayagonnado?
Probably my favorite part of this, and it's definitely just part of my continuity-n-lore weakness, was tying this age of chaos into Crisis on Infinite Earths. It really doesn't take much to get a "pop" out of me.
Giffen's more experimental art is usually a bone of contention among fans... or, at the very least, is divisive. This time out, however, I really dug it. I feel like it fit the story quite well, and wasn't nearly as abstract as his work on something like Hex. Hell, even if it were, this is a story about chaos... so, it'd be more fitting.
Overall, I'd say this one's worth a look. You don't need to know everything about Dr. Fate (I sure don't!) to follow along and enjoy. Just really fun post-Crisis stuff here... another reminder that books of this era are so special. This issue is available digitally... and they do refer to it as "Doctor Fate", so there's one point for the Infinite Earths guy!
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Gardner Fox Remembrance (by Roy Thomas):
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Gen¹³ (vol.4) #1 (December, 2006)
"Best of a Bad Lot, Part One: And on the First Day"
Writer - Gail Simone
Pencils - Talent Caldwell
Inks - Matt Banning
Colors - Carrie Strachan
Letters - Pat Brosseau
Assistant Editor - Kristy Quinn
Editor - Ben Abernathy
Cover Price: $2.99
Another random pick today... this time heeding the call of the Wild(Storm)... and that means, nobody's going to read this one! Oh well, I'll still do my best with it.
Like all of WildStorm's offerings, Gen¹³ was a title that I kinda went in-and-out on... didn't really follow it... though, I did buy it. I'm a sick man, what can I tell ya. The one volume of the book that I'm fairly certain I never even dipped my toe into (insofar as actually reading) was the one we're going to take a look at today.
I'm pretty sure it was a case of "once bitten, twice shy" after that wildly dull Claremont run. Add that to the fact that this is a "reboot"... and man, that's kind of the opposite of "Chris bait". Still bought it though... because I'm an idiot!
Let's finally... after a dozen-plus years... crack this bugger open and see what's what!
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We open on a scene featuring a couple sitting in a car at one'a them "lookout points" where teen-agers on TV used to go off and neck. One of these kids is 17 year-old, Stephen Oswald... an attempted rapist. There is an IM chat going on alongside the scene, however it is painfully difficult to read... tiny black text on a dark background. The couple is being observed by an organization called Tabula Rasa... which looks as though it's being led by... Stephen Oswald! I mean, I know it's not him (this guy's name is Dr. Cross), but they look damn near identical. There's a young woman there watching as well, who I immediately assumed was Fairchild... but it ain't.
Anyhoo, back to the car, where the attempted rapist... attempts to rape! The girl fights to free herself, and in so doing, appears to have traded in her hands for very sharp blades! She cuts the creep up but good. Dr. Cross and Megan Whatsherface look on, and appear to be quite pleased.
The blade-armed would-be victim then finds herself surrounded by some armed goons, and she asks if they can help her. Instead, they fire a bullet into her dome... or at least, that's what it looks like.
The scene then shifts to Caitlin Fairchild getting knocked in the head by a dodgeball during gym class. Ya see, the other girls don't appear to like her all that much. A gym teacher/coach helps her to her feet and sends her off to the showers... where all the other girls are pleased as punch that "Katie" will be going home with a bruise on her face.
We jump to Fort Lauderdale, Florida... where a white kid with dreadlocks gets bullied for being... a white kid with dreadlocks. Well, let the punishment fit the crime, I guess.
Next stop, Seattle, Washington... where Grunge "yanks it, ganks it... and very nearly spanks it." Alrighty then.
What I think all of that means is, he did some super-neat stuff on his skateboard, though Google Translate isn't much of a help in this instance. Anyhoo, he face-plants in front of a pretty young thing, who calls him a... get this, "skaterboi"... actually spelled that way! I suppose I should just be happy she didn't squeeze a numeral 8 in there!
Now, we're off to San Antone, where Roxy has been arrested for stealing a pack of smokes... again. Looks like, from the names her mother calls her, that she's having a pretty great teen-agery time! Anyhoo, mom picks her up and brings her home, and they argue the entire way... ending with Roxy say she "hates" her. You see where this is going, right?
Last stop on our tour is Peridot, Arizona... which is way the hell east of Phoenix. We meet Sarah, who has stopped into the coffee shop to pick up a cup... and apparently, the lady barista. Wow, that didn't take long. Anyhoo, the barista informs her that she's into dudes... slump-shouldered Sarah slinks away, while a pair of old white dudes act the way we're told old white dudes act.
We jump back to whereverthehell Tabula Rasa members Dr. Cross and Megan Whatsherface are operating out of. They hear the Gen¹¹'s eat... which leads me to believe they are some ungodly beasts. After checking out the boobal region of some blonde, Cross talks about their next steps... they need to turn their perspective Gen-Actives into... orphans! If only we could get them all into a late-night showing of The Mark of Zorro!
The next morning, the five kids we checked in on (sans Grunge) earlier all wake up... and they're wearing strange costumes... though, none of them seem to realize it right away. Caitlin's parents see how she's dressed, and have a knowing look about them, Grunge's folks plan to run away (he's still asleep, natch), Roxy's mom gives an "uh-oh", Burnout's mother freaks out, and Sarah's parents... well, knowing what's to come, they eat a bunch of rat poison.
Caitlin's parents kinda treat this as a "business arrangement", and her mother, Kendall decides to head outside to talk to the army of Tabula Rasans about being "reassigned". She gets shot in the head before she even makes it a step out the door.
Sarah, no longer having parents, just gets abducted. Roxy gets to have a heart-to-heart with her "mother" (none of these folks look to actually be the parents of their respective Gen-Actives). It's a fairly touching scene, which we kinda saw coming all the way back when Roxy told her "mom" that she hated her.
As the Tabula Rasans rush his home, Burnout... well, burns 'em out. Back with Caitlin, she overpowers one of the guards and hurls him through a wall. Gotta assume Grunge is still sleeping.
These scenes are, of course, being observed by Dr. Cross. After seeing watching for a bit, he instructs... whoever... to "render unto seizure", which kayos the kids for a bit.
They all wake up some time later, in a darkened cell. They're instructed that should they "act out", the organization will trigger "micro-explosions" in their brains. Huh, Amanda Waller's got nothing on Tabula Rasa.
Initially, the kids distrust one another... and, I suppose considering the circumstances, that kinda stands to reason. Finally, Roxy breaks down crying about the loss of her mother. Caitlin heads over to comfort her, which starts sort of a chain-reaction of trust...
... and a group hug.
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Ya know, I thought this was really good. This truly feels like a proper reimagining of the Gen¹³ concept for the post-speculator boom generation. We're given a more straightforward backstory (or at least the start of one), and we're only one issue in... and the kids are already occupying the same space.
Felt like, during the 90's, there were a lot of retroactive "surprises" (retsurps? I apologize, that's dumb) where, without even the tiniest of a breadcrumb, things (relationships, characters, powers) would be turned on their ear, all for the sake of the "swerve (bro)". With this outing, I'm sure there are going to be surprises in the offing, however, the way this is being set up makes me feel like they will be organic... and at the end of the day, "fit".
If we flip to the other side, so often during the 00's, the writing was so painfully decompressed that, I honestly didn't expect our Gen-Actives to even meet before the fifth or sixth issue... so, there's another point in its favor!
Really, my only nits to pick here are relatively minor. The art, while really good (I mean, dude's name is Talent) isn't quite as varied as I feel it needed to be. In our opening pages, I wasn't sure who was who... the rapist and Dr. Cross looked too similar... and Megan looked a whole lot like the red-haired girl on the cover... so, if I were coming in blind, I'd have been sure they were the same person. Even coming in not-quite-blind, I was unsure. The fact that so much of the dialogue was delivered in nearly-unreadable panels didn't help matters either.
Another "ehh" thing for me was, some of the social stuff was about as unsubtle as I kind of expected it would be. I mean, did we even make it two panels between the time Sarah first appeared and when she tried to pick up the lady barista? That to me seems like we're trying to immediately "label" the character, which... to me... feels like a bit of a disservice to both the character and the representation. Though, I guess I can give it a bit of a pass considering there were only so many pages to work with here... and everyone needed to be introduced. I just feel like it perhaps deserved a bit more subtlety. There were also those old white men whose only purpose was to make racist comments... seemed more like a bone being picked than anything.
Overall, besides that one scene (which wasn't necessarily "bad" itself or anything), thought this was a pretty top-notch outing. Plenty of mystery... different from the original Gen¹³ while remaining familiar enough to feel somewhat comfortable... and perhaps most importantly, makes me want to read the next issue. This one is available digitally (for 99-cents!). I think it's worth a look whether or not you'd read any Gen¹³ versions before.
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Superman: The Man of Steel #91 (August, 1999)
"Nemesis"
Writers - John Rozum & Mark Schultz
Art - Charlie Adlard, Doug Mahnke & Tom Nguyen
Letters - Phil Felix & Ken Lopez
Colors - Glenn Whitmore
Separations - Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor - Maureen McTigue
Editor - Joey Cavalieri
Special Thanks - Scott Koblish
Cover Price: $1.99
We've got a weird one today... one that kinda feels like the result of "dreaded deadline doom"... but, very fun nonetheless.
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We open with Lois returning home to find her husband typing away at the computer... with his tights uniform on! She asks him what he's working on, and he explains that it's a "story"... one which he was unwittingly a part of. He prints out a copy so she can give it a (not-so-analytical) scan... and we hop right into it ourselves! We meet a man named Musgrove, who is speaking to a counselor named Dr. Samenpur... remember that name. Musgrove is convinced that Superman... is out to get him.
Ya see, it all started not too long ago, when Musgrove worked for Wackyland Toy Company. He was an "idea man", who came up with new concepts for board games and the like. He worked for a man named Morgan, who had no issue taking complete credit for Mussy's ideas. As you may imagine, this rubbed our man the wrong way.
And so, he decided from that point on to never to share an idea until it was ready to go into production... this way, he'll be able to get full credit. The paranoia is setting in... only compounded by the fact that he's noticed Superman flying past his apartment window three times in a single hour. He's convinced that Morgan has hired Superman to "keep an eye on" him.
The next day, Morgan visits Musgrove's cubicle and asks what he's working on. Tight-lipped, our man doesn't say much... to which, the boss comments that he's sure, whatever it is, it's bound to be "Super". Uh-oh. According to Musgrove, the way he said "super" was very suspect.
And so that evening, Musgrove returned home to his apartment... and realizing that he didn't have the resources to completely line his apartment with lead... he lined a box for his game ideas instead. He then worried that maybe Superman could read his thoughts, meaning he'll still be able to steal his game idea... and so, it's tinfoil (and lead) hat time!
He became so obsessed with his new game idea, that he quit Wackyland Toys and devoted all of his time to it. Some time later, his game was finally done... and ready to be shopped around. Wouldn'tcha know it, while on his way to try and sell the thing, he finds himself stuck in the middle of a(n on-foot) jewel heist getaway! Superman takes up the tail, and catches the baddies... but not before all of Musgrove's notes are flung all over da place! Superman does his thing to recover them... but, as far as Musgrove is concerned, all Superman wanted to do was get a peek at his idea.
Dr. Samenpur asks Musgrove what his game's all about, and we learn that it's called "Invasion Earth"... and get this it's based on what he believes Superman is up to! He explains that the game is sort of like Risk... only, instead of countries, it's a battle between planets. So, yeah... it's exactly Risk, with a re-skin.
Ya see, Musgrove isn't convinced that Superman was the sole survivor of Krypton... and, ya know, judging by how many Kryptonians are running around at this time, it's hard to tell him that he's wrong. What he's actually thinking, is that the Kryptonians are laying in wait for Superman's "signal" to invade and take over. That's where "Invasion Earth" comes in. Musgrove compares Generals using Chess as a means to employ strategy, and he figures that once "Invasion Earth" gets some play, folks will be able to fight off the supposed Kryptonian invasion. Ya follow?
Only one problem with that plan though... ya see, kids ain't playing board games anymore. Upon visiting with Felix Walton of Brad Lee Norman Games, our man discovers that it's all about the video games nowaways. Which, I mean, if he could turn "Invasion Earth" into a video game, it might actually "train" people to fight off the aliens, right? I mean, the military uses 'em, don't they?
While Musgrove is getting the bad news, he notices a copy of the Daily Star on Walton's desk. He learns that Superman will be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Children's Hospital, and decides that might just be the place to confront his foe.
As Superman delivers his speech, he realizes that there is a building on fire nearby. He cuts the ribbon with his heat vision, however before he can take his leave, Musgrove runs up to shake his hand. While shaking, Mussy pins a tracer to Superman's sleeve. He also whispers that he's "on to" him. A confused Superman flies off.
Musgrove checks in on his tracer... and is shocked to learn that Superman is actually headed directly for his apartment building... ya see, that's the building currently on fire. Musgrove runs in for another confrontation... and, assuming Superman burned down his building to keep "Invasion Earth" from hitting the public, even throws a punch at the Man of Steel's jaw...
Superman warns the fella that he's got a few broken digits, and suggests he see the paramedics before taking off. When he does, however, Musgrove stabs one of them in the eye... and bites off the thumb of another. Uh-oh... dude's lost it. Ya see, this session with Dr. Samenpur, is actually court-ordered.
Musgrove is starting to lose his patience, and asks that Samenpur deliver his message... get his game out into the ether. Frightened, and perhaps looking to diffuse the situation, the Doc agrees. Then, Musgrove thinks on it a bit... ya see, Samenpur... is just Superman with the letters rearranged!
Enraged, Musgrove throws Samenpur out the window! Lucky for her, Superman just happened to be flying by.
Next thing we know, Musgrove is being wheeled into the Mount Hope Home... where he tries to pitch his game to some other troubled souls.
We wrap up with Superman and Lois, having finished going through this weird story... and Superman taking inventory of just what it means to be a "symbol".
--
What a strange little story! Had a lot of fun with this one.
Ya know, concepts like "paranoia" can be pretty fascinating... and perhaps don't get enough play in superhero comics. I mean, if we look at this story, and consider that Harvey Musgrove is just one guy... gotta wonder just how many Metropolitans are there that are constantly looking over their shoulder expecting that Superman is watching them?
Now paranoia isn't an altogether alien sensation for me... I've been known to partake in delusional worries and irrational frame of mind myself. I think we all do to an extent... which is why a story like this might resonate so well, even if it's amped to the nth degree. I'll concede that I've looked over my own shoulder a time or two... but, I promise you that I've never bit anyone's thumb off.
Now Superman as a "symbol"... not the ending I was hoping for. I wanted there to be introspection, sure, but the symbolic nature of Superman kind of hinders the nuances that this story could have. I mean, lets take Superman out of the equation altogether...
... I think it's safe to say we all have certain people in our lives that we really don't want to look foolish in front of, right? And doesn't it always wind up being those people who see us screwing up or looking foolish? There's this confluence of coincidence... almost a joke on a cosmic level, that the people we want to look our best for are the ones who see us at our worst. It's almost without fail!
Let's look at Harvey Musgrove. Superman just always happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to feed into his delusions, his paranoia, and his victimization. He feels as though he's a target... perhaps a bit like how many of us feel on the highways and expressways when we notice a "speed trap". We feel singled out, even though there are hundreds of vehicles passing the Officer every minute. Though, perhaps I'm paranoia-ly projecting!
Maybe it's because I grew up in New York... I mean, who didn't feel like they were being watched by... this guy?
Though, with Musgrove... there sure was an awful lot of coincidences, I'm not sure even a rational person in his position wouldn't become a bit unnerved. Though, a rational person probably wouldn't lock themselves in their apartment to work on a game to stop a supposed alien invasion... but, whattayagonnado?
Anyhoo, It's rare that an issue that so clearly feels like a fill-in can be so captivating. This was an interesting transitional period in the Superman books... one that I'm always tempted to go back and re-experience. Maybe one'a these days, when I discover the 25th through 30th hours of the day! This issue is well worth a look, and is available digitally.
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Letters Page (featuring a familiar face):
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