Countdown to Mystery #6 - DC

Both of these stories could be in their own books. But, luckily, for us, they've been brought together here. Fantastic! The story of Eclipso is really coming to a head. Bruce Gordon is now inhabited by Eclipso, but, this time, he seems to be able to control him . . . a bit. He can access his powers, without him taking over. And he can remember the things that happen when he is Eclipso. To bad he can't just stop the transformation all together. But, he does learn a new trick this issue. Eclipso is up to something big, and he's gathered some heavy hitters to help him get it done. Currently he's got Plastic-man, the Creeper and Dove working on his side. When Oracle is curious about some dealings a supposed mafioso boss is making, she sends Huntress in to gather some intel. However, it's really the base of operations for Eclipso. So, basically, she's overpowered and outnumbered. And, in the end, Eclipso turns her also. But Bruce knows this, like a dream, so he figures out that he can reconfigure the diamond so that it can absorb someone's evil as well as dispense it. Huntress has gone to kill someone that she thinks deserves it, but Bruce shows up in time to stop her from making a mistake. Instead, Crispus Allen, who's been following Bruce, lets the Spectre take over and he delves out the justice. We then find out that what Eclipso has been doing is gathering up all the shards of the black diamond from all over the planet, and reunited them in to one big crystal . . . the Heart of Darkness. He may soon be unstoppable. In the second story our new Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson, is trying to figure out what to do about Inza, who was sucked down the shower drain by Negal when she was trying to help him. So he's gone back to Maddy to see if she can help him. She shows him some of the history of the Helmet, but doesn't have a lot of advice when it comes to Negal. Later on Negal plays with his head again, showing him the world that is his dominion. When he gets out of it, he's tired of being messed with, so he just gives the Helmet to Maddy. "Here. It's yours. I surrender my hat to your superior wisdom. Have a nice life . . . and kindly get the %$#@ our of mine." Both, are great stories. However I do prefer the Justiniano art to that of Jorge Segovia. But . . it was ok too. Again, I just wonder where they're going to go when this mini is done.

Countdown to Mystery #5 - DC

I really like the direction that both of these stories are taking. Eclipso has moved to the front of the book. But really, I don't think it really matters who has the first story . . I feel that they're both equally as important. When you think about it, these 2 characters, Eclipso and Doctor Fate, have both been around almost as long as DC itself. They're both underutilized characters, in my opinion, that are ingrained deeply in to the DC Universe and continuity, but neither has gotten the spotlight that they deserve. I like how they've taken the Eclipso character back to it's origins with Dr. Bruce Gordon. And with that reemergence, they can experiment with these new laws of magic that are supposed to have changed in the DC Universe. Here we see that Bruce is now more in control of the powers that Eclipso offers. He can actually be the dominant personality. That is . . until he loses his cool. Then the Eclipso part takes over. That's what happens this issue when Dr. Gordon decides to use his new-found powers to go to a Russian base and try to expound upon some research they had been trying to do there. But he's confronted by the post-human aftermath of their failed experiments. And that's when he loses his cool. Eclipso takes over and ends up killing them all. Crispus Allen is also along for the ride. He's the new Spectre and he's been assigned to make sure Dr. Gordon realizes his new potential. In the Doctor Fate storyline, Kent is wrestling with the guilt of having killed his new friend Inza because of his association with Negal. He let his guard down for a moment, and Negal used the opening to take Inza. Kent's not sure if she's dead, but if now, she may actually be worse off being held captive in Negal's realm. Eventually he ends up back at the store that the witch runs, who helped him a couple of issues ago. She shows him a picture dating back to WWII, showing him that his helmet has been around for a long time. Both stories are great, and I like where they're headed. Like I said, I also like that they're focusing some attention on these 2 characters that really are a part of the DC Universe foundation. It'll be interesting to see what they do with them, after this series.

Countdown to Mystery #4 - DC

I really like this book. Maybe it's a bit of an indulgence for me, but hey . . . I'm allowed those every now and then. Our stories switch order this issue. But . . that's ok. The Eclipso one was actually more important this time. We are right in tune with the Countdown #17 book that we just read. In it, Eclipso and Mary's relationship finally comes to a head. We saw them explode and land in the ocean, but we didn't see what happened to Jean. In this issue, we still don't get an answer to Jean. Other than seeing her body floating in the water. But Eclipso, for lack of a better body to inhabit, goes straight back to Bruce Gordon. And when Eclipso awakens, he's none to happy about that prospect. Crispus Allen, the Spectre, knew what was going to happen so he contained Bruce before the shift. Not that it does much good. But by the time the sun comes up, he does have him contained. There's also something else going on in this issue. A billionaire, Rosario Corrotto has a homo-magi in his house and he's trying to do . . something. We're not exactly sure yet. All we know it that they're close. The interesting part though, is that in is house is also Plastic-man, the Creeper and the late arrival of Dove. I'm sure this story will somehow intersect with Eclipso, though. That one was brought to us by Matthew Sturges and Stephen Jorge Segovia. He's the first person I've ever seen that's made Eclipso look sexy. Seriously. Anyways, the second story is about Kent trying to deal with all of this weirdness of Fate. He goes off the wagon, and his life starts to spiral out of control. Again! But he's rescued by a young lady who takes him in, offers him shelter and tries to clean him up a bit. Coincidentally, her name is Inza. But, before they can explore that to much, the demon that he recently fought comes after her. "He's destroyed her . . actually destroyed her . . ! Taken a human life and . . . and liquefied it . . ! For no other reason than to torture me!" So now Kent is really in some emotional turmoil. This one was brought to us by Steve Gerber and Justiniano. I assume this is all setting us up for the Doctor Fate series that'll be coming out of this. I assume. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, I really like this series.

Countdown to Mystery #3 - DC

This was a very metaphysical issue. Kent V Nelson, who has no idea what is happening to him, let alone how to control it, has finally come in contact with a person who's much more informed than he, Maddy. And she leads him on a little bit of a spirit quest. Well, first she has to cleanse his aura, so that he'll be more receptive to what's trying to get his attention. Most of the book goes like this - "To anyone with any sensitivity, it's obvious something has changed in the domain of magic, and the idiom is changing with it. The book I pulled for you proposes a programmatic paradigm for accessing the beyond . . . and the within. Your hat understands, even if you don't. It's aura is precisely attuned to the new universal vibe." After confronting his inner demons, she actually gets a little angry with him. "Do you know how many would-be witches, warlocks, chaos mages, neo-pagans, thelemists, shamans, and vodoun priests recited little spells today and didn't get results like yours? . . . . it must be thousands . . tens, maybe hundreds of thousands. I've never seen anybody transported quite that way before . . forget taking me along for the ride . . . I don't think you're that talented. I think it's your hat. . . . you're futzing with forces you don't begin to comprehend." So now what? Well his aura has been cleansed, and he's confronted his inner turmoil. So I guess the only thing that's ahead of him is his future . . . and next issue . . . Inza! In the backup story, Eclipso is still trying to influence people that are teetering on the edge of madness. She grabbed ahold of Eel O'brien last issue, and this time she's after Jack Ryder. When Batman interferes, she even thinks about pulling him in. But Crispus Allen comes along and throws a wrench in the whole thing. And now it seems like the Spectre has some kind of plans for him. He wants Crispus to do things that he's not allowed to. He has to follow the rules after all. But Crispus? Crispus can take a more "up-close" involvement in things. I'm not sure what the plans are yet, but I do know it has something to do with Bruce Gordon. Creatively, this issue was a home run. Steve Gerber and Matthew Sturges handle the scripts on the main story, and back-up, respectively. And the artwork was equally as phenomenal. Gene Ha turns in a stunning cover. Justiniano does the work on the title story, and Stephen Jorge Segovia turns in a real nice piece of work on the back-up story. There's a few panels in his effort that almost have a Jim Lee type feel to them. Very nice looking stuff. As I said, overall, this book was definitely a home run.

Countdown to Mystery #2 - DC

In this book, we finally get to see the story of Dr. Fate played out. Which is good, because it's been a while since 52 ended, and since the 5 one-shots, where different people got a chance at the helmet, we really haven't seen a whole lot as far as his development goes. Well that changes here. The helmet has come back to Earth, and it's attached itself to one Kent V Nelson, a psychologist from California. Right now he's bumming around Las Vegas, but, with his reception of the helmet, he's come in to contact with the Devourer of Souls. His story, as well as Kents is told to us this issue. I especially like the way Kent is trying to adjust to the helmet telling him what to do. He's following the instructions, eventually, but he's very tepid about where the experience is taking him, because he doesn't trust the intentions yet. He ends up going to the realm of the Devourer, but he's not strong enough to defeat him yet. However, he does get his friend Burr out of it's depths. So I guess he does attain a small victory. But he also garners the attention of a new enemy. It's a pretty cool story by Steve Gerber, with fantastic art by Justiniano. We also get a fantastic Paul Gulacy cover. The backup story is about Eclipso. But it also pulls Crispus Allen and the Spectre in to it. And Plastic-man, and his son Ernie are also involved. We don't really know why yet, but they are. And Plastic-man, for some reason, is pulled back in to his life of crime by Woozie Winks. Oh yeah, Jack Ryder and the Creeper are also going to be involved in the drama that's unfolding. Like I said, I'm not sure where we're going with all of this, but it should be an interesting ride.

Countdown to Mystery #1 - DC

I liked this book. Especially the Justiniano art. Steve Gerber wrote the story. But really, this whole issue was basically a recap of what has come before. It went through the whole thing with Nabu and giving up his mantle. Then it touched upon all the recipients that handled the helmet in all the specials, Detective Chimp, Ibis, Sargon, Black Alice and Zauriel. And finally with Shazam! giving it the ole heave ho, and tossing it in to space. Apparently it went all the way to the source wall, and bounced back. It lands in a dumpster in Las Vegas, that happens to be where his buddies have just dumped Dr. Kent V Nelson. He a psychiatrist from Los Angeles. So then, when he puts in on, which he really only does to try to protect himself from the rain, we get a recap of everything that he's gone through in his life. Basically letting us know how he ended up in this dumpster in Las Vegas. Finally he's attacked by some kind of demon, I guess. The Helmet takes over, donning Kent in the garb of Doctor Fate, and tells him the spell to recite to take out the marauder. But his master is not very happy, and tells Kent, "That was a mistake Doctor. It would have killed you much more quickly than I will" The next story is called "The Devourer of Souls". Sounds pretty ominous. As far as the second story goes, I'm not sure if it's about the Spectre or about Eclipso. I'd have to assume Eclipso, because she starts to tell Plastic Man how she was rescued from her orbit around the sun. It was by a couple of Darkseid's stooges, and when she's brought to Apokolypse, he informs her that she originated from there, and that he created her. "You are now, have always bee, and forever shall be mine. I am Darkseid! And I am your lord and master!" What a revoltin' development.

The Helmet of Fate : Zauriel #1 - DC

With this issue, the Helmet of Fate has passed through it's final hands, before moving on to the next successor. Zauriel has to go to another planet to retrieve it. The planet is about to have a civil was because the person, or fungus, who's hands the helmet has fallen in to, is bent on subjugating the world it resides in. And the helmet is going to help it do just that. So Zauriel goes there to intervene. I know heaven isn't supposed to intervene in worldly matters, and there's a big old debate on it between Zauriel and Malachy, but it's much to long winded and lengthy for me to get in to here. Suffice it to say that Malachy supports his argument well enough to convince Zauriel to take on the mission. So Zauriel goes to the planet, defeats the fungus and sends the helmet back on it's path. Steve Gerber wrote this one, and he introduces some rather unique ideas. Apparently he's going to be the writer for the ongoing series also. It should prove very interesting. It's heralded as " . . the demon-haunted pages of the all-new, all-different, all-eerie Doctor Fate. Creeping you out monthly beginning in April." And the artist of the on-going series is going to be Paul Gulacy. It'll be interesting to see who ends up with the helmet, and where they go with it. And don't forget that Neron and Faust are trapped in the Tower of Fate right now.

The Helmet of Fate : Black Alice #1 - DC

This is a pretty cool book. I've liked this character, Black Alice, ever since she first appeared in Birds of Prey. She seemed, I don't know, more evil or something back then though. But since Gail Simone created her and has written all of her stories, and she writes this one also, I have to assume that she's exactly as Gail intentioned. Which is ok. I mean, I really do like the character, she just seemed different back then. Anyways, she seems to be like every other teenage girl out there. Well, except for being able to control the magic of any one she comes in contact with. She's almost like a Parasite of the magic world, except that she can keep the power to tap in to any time she wants, and she isn't feeding off of it. And of course she's not purple and ugly either. Ok, maybe nothing like the Parasite. For some reason the Helmet of Fate comes to her and she tries to control it, as she does everything else. But, in resisting her, it starts fulfilling her every wish. No matter how hidden and dark they are. The only way she can stop the turmoil is to send it back. So she releases it, and . . Poof! . . . it's gone. The next day she gets up and everything is back to normal. I'm glad to see that they're doing something with this character, because I really like her. She should get her own Vertigo series or something. Anyways, I more issue of the prologue, Zauriel, and then we're on to the new Fate series. I can't wait to see what they do with him this time. With all the build up here, and in 52 with Ralph, I hope it's something unique and interesting. By the way, Duncan Rouleau does the art for this issue, and it is perfect. It really reminds me of Chris Bachalo kinda'. Anyways, overall a fabulous issue.

The Helmet of Fate : Sargon the Sorcerer #1 - DC

This book is really about updating the character, Sargon, and introducing his replacement. Apparently the original Sargon, John Sargent, died. Actually, I guess, he was quite old, as he helped the heroes fight in WWII. So his legacy falls to his last living family member, his grandson, David Sargent. Some lawyers, actually demons posing as lawyers, well . . . . I guess that would be an oxymoron, but anyways, these lawyers come to get David and take him to his grandfathers estate. Something about the power within him, that he's not even aware of, interacting with the house. So, long story short, they trick him in to signing the papers, which will actually turn everything over to them. But, in the process of evading them, he is redirected by his grandfathers ghost, and ends up in a room with all of his magical belongings. The life crystal is what really gave him his powers, so the crystal then bonds with David, giving him all the powers. He then casts out the demons, er lawyers, and begins his new life as Sargon the Sorcerer, in his new home. And actually, the helmet of Fate, only makes a very brief appearance. After he gets his grandfathers powers, he finds the helmet in the house and he's afraid that the demons will get it, so he casts it off. "My grandfather took you from your path. Take a piece of me and someday, we too will meet again . . . wherever you may fall." And that was the extent of the helmets participation in this story. So, I'm not sure if we'll see Sargon again, soon. But I can't imagine they'd revamp the character just to put him back on the shelf. But, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Decent story by Steve Niles. And Scott Hampton does the art. So you know visually it was good. I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen with this whole Fate thing.

The Helmet of Fate : Ibis the Invincible #1 - DC

I know this book is connected to the Helmet of Fate storyline, but it seems to me that it really only serves to introduce a new Ibis. The old one, who's been in his position for 40 centuries, how would you like to be on day one of that job, was apparently beaten and brought close to death by Set. Doesn't seem all that invincible now, does he? Anyways, he reaches out to Danny Khalifa, because " . . . . there is no one else within my dying reach. Only you have the blood of the Hekau in you . . . . the magician kings of old Egypt. Only you can save the world from a terrible danger . . . . " Not to much pressure for a 17 year old kid, is it? Anyways, the Helmet of Fate came in to their possession, Ibis and his beloved Talia. As soon as it did Set, in his temple of shadows, knew of it's existence and coveted it. That's when Set and his hordes descended on Ibis, and battled them to the brink of death. He took the Helmet, but Ibis had already put a protection spell around it. Now Danny, with the help of Thoth, has to get the helmet back from Set to save the world. Of course he does so, and then he sends it off to safety. "Helmet, go to somewhere that gods or evil men won't get you!" And then Danny's done. For now.

The Helmet of Fate : Detective Chimp #1 - DC

First of all, look at that beautiful Brian Bolland cover. That's the best looking animal cover I've seen since . . . . well . . Animal Man. Man he used to put some beautiful covers on that book. Well . . . . Wonder Woman too. Anyways, who ever thought they'd see a Detective Chimp comic in this day and age? Not me. From what I understand this is a prequel to the upcoming Fate comic. I guess there's going to be 5 of these. Basically the Fate helmet comes to 5 different people trying to find a new home. This one's brought to us by Bill Willingham and Shawn McManus. They make a pretty good team. And of course with Bill and D.C. involved, you just know you're going to see Shadowpact. It starts out on the Rock of Eternity when D.C. told Shazam to throw the helmet in to outerspace, and let fate decide where it will end up. Well it went full circle, and came right back to the chimp. He tried it on for a day, but it just wasn't for him. He's just got to analytical of a mind, to be able to decide what to do with all the knowledge that the Fate helmet gives to the wearer. So he kicks it back in to the void. Next issue, Zauriel and Sargon are up. I wonder how they'll deal with it?