Cant say I am sorry the Dynamite Comics Doc Savage run has come to an end with issue number 8. There were some nice aspects there ... exhibited a true awareness of the history of the character, took it some creative new directions, but not outrageously (DC comics, take note). Most of all it had the spirit or tone of the character just about right. But it struck me as ALL about tone and mood. The plots were perfunctory, the new sidekicks introduced in each issues new decade were utterly forgettable and largely interchangeable. This finale was a great model for the problem with the series as a whole. Other than the excuse to introduce the Fortress of Solitude, there was no plot-driven reason for everyone to show up there. And a true MacGuffen - no explanation whatsoever about exactly what the secret weapon/technology that dare not be brought out until now was or exactly how it undid the universal hysteria that had brought the world to the precipice of doom. On one page Doc is retrieving what looks like a baseball. Next page we are in outer space installing it in a satellite. One page later, all is well with the world, and none of it explained. [Alright --- I will admit it is possible that this super technology solution MIGHT have been set up in earlier issues, but if it was, it was not memorable enough to stick with me. And frankly, the earlier issues were equally unengaging and listless and I feel NO desire to go back and look. In fact, the thought of revisiting such weak material fills me with dread.] Just seemed to me this creative team at least gets it about Doc, but had not a clue what to do with the character. . Given how badly earlier comic book incarnations (including the one Lester Dent himself created) have been, maybe that shouldnt be a surprise.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 02:00:27 +0000
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