The weirdness factor dials up a few more notches.
Creative Staff:
Story: Jen Van Meter
Art: Roberto De La Torre
What They Say:
From Deadside and into the web of worlds beyond, Shan Fong-Mirage is about to begin the fight to win back the husband she thought she’d lost forever…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening issue of Doctor Mirage was one that was quite intriguing in the kind of story it wanted to tell, awkwardly as it felt at times, partially because it had so much appeal in the kind of almost grimy, earthy feel of the artwork from Roberto de la Torre. I’d had some interaction with the previous incarnation of the character an age and a half ago, but that has little to do with this one overall. Jen Van Meter gave us a story focused on Shan that certainly had a lot of potential with it, but it felt kind of out of whack in a way that I still can’t quite put my finger on. I like the pieces, but the whole didn’t come together. With the second installment, well, we just add more of that when you get down to it. It has its appeal to be sure, and it’s not as clean and straightforward as other Valiant books, but I almost feel like I’m struggling with it.
At its core, we have a kind of strong relationship story going on here, albeit one sided, as the main reason Shan took March’s job is that the process revealed where she can find the spirit of her husband. Going after him is obviously job one for her, and seeing her starting that process is intriguing all on its own with the kind of arcane aspect of it all. That journey is what dominates the book here as she moves through the other plane and ends up with a guide in the form of Meredith, the woman she had dealt with before. Amusingly, payment is made in the form of a story as the two walk through this unusual land. And it’s a useful story at that as it gives us a look at the early relationship between her and Hwen with how they were separately and how well they connected when things went on. It’s not an in-depth look at it, more of a mild montage of sorts, but it’s welcome to see Hwen even a little here and to have her reflect on the past, the loss and why she’s so intent on finding him because of that connection.
The time in the astral plane is certainly intriguing in general but it gets more so when we see some of the darker spirits that exists there with Ivros and the minion Drit. There’s events occurring there as this dark demon has his own plans, and the sight of Shan and Meredith certainly sends him into motion to try and acquire the presence and spirit of what they represent. It’s not really action in the grand sense, though we do get a mild bit of fighting, as it’s more a fight or flight instinct that kicks in and gets them moving. But what it does in the end is to put Shan on the defensive and on the run from Ivros, who is fully intent on capturing her. It’s certainly a journey that, no matter how complicated or dangerous it gets, is one that she’ll pursue as long as she can. It’s interesting, and it looks like the next issue will reveal another story from Shan and Hwen’s past.
In Summary:
I’ll admit that on a certain level I enjoyed this issue, but I get that back of the mind feeling that this miniseries is going to work a lot better when read in full rather than installments. Shan’s journey to find Hwen’s spirit is potentially going to take her to some interesting places, which we see a bit of here in addition to what Ivros brings to the table, but it’s also going to explore some of who she is and who she is with Hwen. That, at the end of the day, is what the series is likely going to be about. To bring a bit of updating, cleaning up and foundation setting for the Doctor Mirage aspect that could spin off into something else. The series really has some interesting ideas to it, but it’s execution in monthly installments is making me feel a little more guarded against it.
Grade: B-
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Valiant Entertainment
Release Date: October 8th, 2014
MSRP: $3.99
