Essential Doctor Strange, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)

Book Description

Now unto us is born...the magician! The Master of the Mystic Arts' earliest adventures continue as Strange stands as mankind's last, best hope against the dark otherworldly forces that conspire to steal the life of the conscious world - including Nightmare, Dormammu, Lord Nekron, and the Sons of the Satannish! Featuring the origin of Dr. Strange... and Strange and Clea's first kiss! Plus: Strange takes on a new, masked costume! Guest-starring the Avengers! Collects Doctor Strange #169-178, 180-183, Avengers #61, Sub-Mariner #22, Marvel Feature #1, Incredible Hulk #126, and Marvel Premiere #3-10, 12-14.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Fabulous and trippy. Some of Colan the master's best, work. Thomas was no slouch with the incantation, either! I love the magic, and his art and that whole vibe it had going. Almost wants to make you run away and study under the Ancient One. There is no doubt Colan is best in black and white, so this is fabulous.

vol 1 a weak start but vol .2 rocks.......2007-05-11

well vol. 2s artwork is much improved over vol.1 .a bit weak in spots but overall quality work. the storylines in both volumes good but i like vol.2 with clea and victoria was a interesting i like it the cult of satannish storyline was way better than i expected.unfortunately back in the 70's i was 5 at the time so i got the chance read the early comics and caghts up on the strange history of strange. the alternate reality storyline kinda urk me with the mask strange ended up being mordo and being a lovecraft reader i love the omage to him in the second volume.the vishanti appearing echos the 90's comics with the war of the seven spheres story. overall better than vol 1 because i perfer a more detailed artwork and i like the storyline including the buddha one its comic you all and you forget it was a different time didnt have the pc police in play. the older stories have something the new one dont, character yes marvel took indecent liberities but they just did it without fear of offending it was not to offend it was to entertain. by the eternal vishati i dare say i like strange more now after reading vol.2 .x-men who and spider whatits give me stange and the might thor anyday but thats me

Too Kool 2 B Strange.......2006-03-24

Dr Strange. 1965 and I have to read a book and write a report for a college english assignment. I neither wanted to read a book nor write about it. I preferred reading Marvel Comics. Well the instructor never said what kind of book to read and the comic is a comic Book so I wrote the report on an edition of Dr Strange. I turned in the only "A" paper for that assignment. I still read and collect comics. I encourage the reading of comics. Parents of the world, please do not throw out your kids comics. They are neither a waste of time or money.

Under-rated character shines........2005-09-03

Dr. Strange just got better as the years went on. The late 1960's early 1970's sensibility works for this character under the pen of Roy Thomas and the issues drawn by Gene Colan are the best of the bunch. I really enjoy these black and white compellations because it allows the strength of the artwork to show through without the distraction of often gaudy colors.

The good doctor makes some real comic book magic........2005-06-09

Among the early $15 low-quality paper Marvel Essentials, Dr. Strange #1 is one of my favorites. I was impressed by how Steve Ditko (better known as Spider-Man's first artist) managed to capture the weird, mystical dimensions of Strange's foes and how well Stan Lee and Jim Lawrence were able to script all of those sorcerers' duels and make them believable. What I mean is it would be easy when writing about a fight between mages to introduce any wild plot element you could think of at any given time and explain it by saying "It's magic!", but I never really got that feeling from those tales. Dr. Strange had a regular arsenal of tricks (astral form, mystic bolts, hypnotism, cloak of levitation, Crimson Bands of Cyttorak) and most of the villians were defeated by their own impatience, arrogance, cowardice, or other flaw of their villainous personality. I've read and reread many of his Strange Tales appearances so often that several of the pages are starting to fall out (friggin' low quality paper!), even more so in preparation for the arrival of the Essential Dr. Strange #2 (in higher quality paper!), which is the real reason you're reading this.

It turns out that Doc's entry into the world of 20-page long headliners in the late 60's was a lukewarm affair at best. Although the first of Strange's new mag gives a great expanded retelling of our hero's origin, it settles into some merely OK rematches with Nightmare, Tiboro and Dormammu. The only new menaces introduced here were the Sons of Satannish, whose subsequent story arc ended with one of the most forced twist endings I had ever seen. After that little bit of loveliness, Doc decides to start hiding his face behind a mask when out on patrol. You know, his interdimesional adventures have never been public knowledge and he had always been bragging about the many mystic wards that protect his Sanctum Sanctorum (not to mention Dr. Strange IS his real name) so, really, why the mask? I think he did give a reason why he wanted to look more superhero-ey (besides a theoretical boost in sales, I mean), but for the life of me I can't remember it. He would later go on to help the Avengers corrale two Norse gods (there we go!) and then he went toe-to-toe with the Juggernaut (awesome!).

Sadly, it wasn't enough to save him from one of the most graceless series cancellations in the history of comic books. It would take me too long to explain it myself, so I'll leave it to Dr. Strange himself to tell you, with some paraphrasing.

(In #183, before he leaves to investigate the threat of the Undying Ones): Clea, my love. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life in your arms. But as the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth, I must never rest my vigil for there are myriad mystical menaces that wish to steal the life from our conscious world.

(In Incredible Hulk #126, several months since the cancellation and after the Hulk and the Sub-Mariner were called in to smooth out that cliffhanger as best they could): Now that that one race of evil extradimensional demons won't be bothering us for a while, I think it's a good time to hang up my cloak, break all contact with my girlfriend, my ancient mentor, and my faithful manservant, and live out my days as a medical consultant. See you around, Dr. Banner.

Stinks, doesn't it?

Fortunately, after a three-year absence, the good doctor was given a second chance (without the ugly mask) as both the leader of the Defenders (see my review of the Essential Defenders) and with a new solo series in the springboard title Marvel Premiere, and he took advantage of both. A rather large stable of writers and artists sent Strange on one continual globetrotting quest from New England to Tibet that reads like one part Lovecraft, one part Indiana Jones, and one part good ol' Silver Age Marvel magic. Strange fights several new arcane monsters, from shambling undersea demigods to the one-and-only Shuma Gorath. You may have played him in one of the Marvel/Capcom arcade games. He's the one-eyed octopus thing. In the final tale in this collection, Strange and Mordo both try to exert their influence on an extremely powerful sorcerer who is prepared to journey back to the dawn of time and remake the universe. It's good stuff and why Dr. Strange is here to stay.

I liked the Marvel Premiere tales very much, but I wished the writers hadn't used so many real-world religious icons as props. Stonehedge was said to be a gateway to a hell-like realm and 5000-year old demonic cults used an inverted cross as their symbol (Huh, talk about creative anachronism!). The Ancient One was even held hostage by the Living Buddha. Man, basing comic book characters on current spiritual figures just isn't cool. They should just stick to ancient Norse or Greek mythology (See my review of the Essential Thor #2 for more on how well that works. I review a lot of these, don't I?).

The missteps of Doc's first solo series were absolutely tragic, but the Marvel Premiere stories make this Essential collection, starring the archmage of the Marvel Universe, worth owning by any classic comic fan. Go ahead and summon up a copy today.

Essential Defenders, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)

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Graphic SF Reader
Crazy 70s Nostalgia
Old comics, poor quality
How it all began
One of the Best Choices for an Essentials

Essential Defenders, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee , Roy Thomas , Steve Englehart , and Len Wein
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785115471

Amazon.com

Essential Defenders Vol. 1 is one of the more invaluable manifestations of Marvel's budget Essentials series. It captures the formation and early stages of the Defenders, a "non-team" of heroes that didn't have a headquarters or a formal charter, and didn't even like to hang out together. They just combined their considerable forces when needed. The 26 issues collected in this volume include the first times the characters crossed paths in their individual books--Dr. Strange 183, Sub-Mariner 22 and 34-35, and Incredible Hulk 126--followed by their appearances in Marvel Feature 1-3 and then the first 14 issues of their own book. Most of the early adventures were mystical Dr. Strange tales backed by the muscle of the Hulk and Sub-Mariner, but the group took better shape with the addition of the Silver Surfer in issue 2, and the beginning of the Black Knight saga in issue 4, which not only introduced the Valkyrie but led to the epic Avengers-Defenders clash, also included here in its entirety. Even though the individual Defenders were well-known in the Marvel Universe, the conflict with the better-established Avengers helped put the "group" on the map. The volume concludes with the two-part Nighthawk/Squadron Supreme story line. While there are drawbacks to the black-and-white format (for example, the Mohammedan's glimpse of the Hulk's green foot in issue 11), the price for this much content is low, and who knows when a Masterworks edition will arrive. (The Avengers-Defenders clash was previously released as a stand-alone trade paperback.) Better to grab Essential Defenders Vol. 1 now and hope for volume 2. --David Horiuchi

Book Description

Dr. Strange. Namor. The Hulk. The Silver Surfer. Set apart from others by nature and choice, this team of Marvel's mightiest loners embarked a string of strange adventures rarely equaled since - joined by some of the most off-kilter heroes of their time. Sorcery! Super-science! The war of the super-heroes! Learn how the "non-team" got its non-start in this multi-title compilation! Collects Dr. Strange #183, Sub-Mariner #22 and 34-35, Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel Feature #1-3, Defenders #1-14, and Avengers #115-118.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Throw together a bunch of really powerful misfit heroes and not quite heroes and you get a pretty good story. Have them fight the Avengers and you get even more fun.

Later on, the addition of the Black Knight and the Valkyrie spice things up even more, and I am definitely looking forward to more volumes of The Defenders.

Crazy 70s Nostalgia.......2006-11-10

I remember reading these issues in black and white British reprints when I was kid on Summer holiday.

That's why I rated it Four Stars.

If you have never read them before I would suspect the true rating is closer to Three Stars; however there are are a couple of wonderful moments (a drawn-out plot-point across most of the issues that is very well done and the conclusion of the Avengers-Defenders war) which make the collection worthwhile.

It is always amusing to see stupid whiny Hulk again since nowadays he has to be complex.

Old comics, poor quality.......2006-06-28

All of the Marvel "Essential" books/TPBs collect 'old' (60's,70's) comics. Each collection reprints a lot of comics into one volume for a reasonable price; however, they are all in black and white, on cheap newsprint, and bound poorly.

If you are into the older comics these collections might be for you; but personally I was very disappointed.

How it all began.......2006-01-28

Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, in the heyday of my Marvel comics purchasing, there were really four superhero teams: the Avengers (the heavy hitters, organized and government sanctioned); the Fantastic Four (essentially, a family unit), the X-Men (technically, a group of classmates at a special school) and the Defenders, the non-team. I first started my Defenders reading around issue 50, and with Essential Defenders #1, I have at long last seen how they got started.

The Defenders were a group of "loner" heroes who never worked well in a team environment. The Hulk was like a child with a constant temper tantrum who could not play well with others. The Sub-Mariner was torn between the surface world and his ocean empire and generally had no love of humanity. Dr. Strange, haughty but generally good hearted, typically operated in an environment that was radically different from other heroes. Soon joined by the aloof but benevolent alien, the Silver Surfer, this trio united only when the occasions demanded it, typically when there was a threat to the entire planet. Otherwise, they wanted little to do with each other.

To me, the comic book really hit its stride with the introduction of the Valkyrie (in the middle of this volume). While the other characters were more or less standalone, the Valkyrie was not; she was defined by being a Defender and in turn, helped define what the Defenders were all about. Soon enough, there would be others, including - by the time I really started reading these comics - Nighthawk (who joins at the end of this book) and Hellcat. The more well-known characters began to take a back seat and the Defenders developed their own unique identity.

But that is beyond what this volume offers, which ends with issue #14. In this book, the Defenders are more hazily defined as a team (or non-team), but there are still some entertaining stories, especially a crossover with the Avengers, which forces the two teams to clash before dealing with the combined threat of Loki and Dormammu. Overall, this rates a high four stars, and I am looking forward to the eventual release of Essential Defenders #2.

One of the Best Choices for an Essentials.......2005-07-08

Marvel could not have gotten it more correct. The Defenders is one of their better choices for an Essentials package. Speaking of one of the eager fans who was around at the time, one was not aware there was this non-team grouping appearing throughout various of magazines until suddenly Marvel Feature #1 appeared. Now the stories can be gathered and enjoyed in a running sequence as originally presented throughout the magazine of the Hulk, Dr. Stranger, and the Sub-Mariner. The added plus is that then one also gets the best of original Defenders comic book series, including the introduction of Valkyrie, Nighthawk becoming a hero, and the justly famous Defenders-Avengers battle. The only thing keeping this volume from being perfect is that it could not have stretched a little farther to include the battle with Magneto and a few of the very good Giant-Size Defenders stories. Nothing's perfect, but this come blissfully close.

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Essentials of American Education
James Johnson , Victor L. Dupuis , Diann Musial , Gene E. Hall , and Donna M. Gollnick
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0205349862

Book Description

This new book offers solid coverage of the most relevant introduction to teaching and foundations topics in education today. This new book provides a broad introduction to teaching and foundations based on interesting, current discussion of important theory and practice. It offers a thorough overview of the teaching profession, standards, assessment and the historical, social and philosophical aspects of American Education. preservice and new teachers.

Essential Captain America, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)

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Captain America teams up with the Falcon in the early 1970s

Essential Captain America, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee , Gary Friedrich , Gerry Conway , Steve Englehart , Gene Colan , John Romita , Gil Kane , and Sal Buscema
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785121668

Book Description

Cap's up against the usual army of orders in AIM, Hydra and the schemes of the Skull - but could the most familiar enemy face be... Bucky's?! The Falcon becomes Cap's full-time crimefighting partner in the wake of this shocker! Gangsters and gorillas! A mysterious Stranger! Nazis, robots and Nazi robots! Featuring the friends and foes of Spider-Man, and the web-slinger himself! Guest-starring Daredevil and the Avengers! Plus: the secret of the 1950s Captain America and Bucky, foreshadowing the first appearance of the man called Nomad! Collects Captain America #127-156.

Customer Reviews:

Captain America teams up with the Falcon in the early 1970s.......2007-03-24

With the recent "death" of Captain America in the epilogue to the Civil War that has rocked the Marvel Universe I decided to go back and read again the Silver Age adventures of ol' wing head. "Essential Captain America, Volume 3," reprints "Captain America" issues #127-56, which were originally published between 1970 and 1972. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby back in March of 1941 in Timely Comics' "Captain America Comics" #1. Cap entered the Marvel Universe in "Avengers" #4 in March 1964 after spending decades literally frozen in suspended animation, quickly becoming the leader of the group of superheroes. But by the start of the 1970s, Captain America was no longer a member of the Avengers' active roster, which had the Black Panther leading Goliath, the Vision, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch. I mention this T'Challa being the leader of the current Avengers roster compliments the major development in Captain America's own comic book during this period, which was nakedly teaming up with the Falcon (despite the image above, the cover of this collection does not show the duo but just Cap taking on the Red Skull and what looks like the Hulk shooting flame out of his wrists).

The symbolism of Captain America, the embodiment of the American spirit, teaming up with an African-American superhero was certainly worth of note at the time. The Falcon (a.k.a. Sam Wilson), first appeared in "Captain America" #117, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan (who had replaced Jack Kirby as the book's main artist). "Snap" Wilson had been a hoodlum in Harlem, but on his way to Rio de Janeiro he crashes on Exile Island and ended up fighting alongside Captain America against the Red Skull. But when we start this particular run of stories Cap is still working closely with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., as befitting a friendship that goes back to World War II and Fury's Howling Commando days (hey, when do we get the Essential treatment for those guys? They were the first Marvel comics I ever read). But Fury uses Cap to bait a trap for a traitor (#127), and our hero takes to the road on a motorcycle so that Steve Rogers can find himself (#128). That is right: Captain America as "Easy Rider." Of course, he immediately finds the Red Skull (#129) and then Baron Strucker (#130-31), who apparently has found Bucky Barnes (#132), Cap's partner from WWII. Of course, he is not, which means Modok and AIM must pay for the deception (#133). This is where Cap decides that he has finally found a partner in the Falcon.

Captain America and the Falcon set up shop in Harlem taking on Stone Face (#134), a giant gorilla (#135) and the Mole Man (#136), and then Spider-Man (#137), who joins the duo in a rematch against Stone Face (#138) in the issue where John Romita (Sr.) becomes the artist (For a couple of issues Colan's artwork was inked by Tom Palmer, foreshadowing what we would see through almost the entire run of "Tomb of Dracula"). Steve Rogers then gets a job as a cop walking a beat (#139), where he encounters the Grey Gargoyle (#140) and works with S.H.I.E.L.D. again to bring him down (#141-42). By this time Lee had given the scripting chores for "Captain America" over to Gary Friedrich, who starts quoting John Lennon and getting Cap and the Falcon involved in a potential race riot in Harlem (#143), and providing Sam Wilson with a very angry black woman named Leila as his romantic interest, before temporarily splitting the pair up. While Cap fights Hydra, the Falcon walks the streets of Harlem in new threads (#144). Hydra makes the mistake of shooting Cap's girl friend Sharon Carter (#145) and he goes after the Supreme Hydra to make them pay (#146-47, with Sal Buscema now the artist). This leads to going up against not only the Kingpin but also the Red Skull and his Fifth Sleeper (#148).

Gerry Conway becomes the writer with #149, which features Batroc's Brigade, followed by the Stranger (#150), Mr. Hyde and the Scorpion (#151-52), and a fight with Nick Fury (#153), when Steve Englehart becomes the scripter. This collection has a big finish as the "real" Captain America and Bucky show up to fight Cap and the Falcon (#154-56), with the middle issue in the trilogy explaining "The Incredible Origin of the Other Captain America" before the two shield slingers get down to the climatic big fight. In these issues "Captain America" makes a concerted effort to become more socially relevant, with Cap out among the people as often as he is fighting old Nazis. Keep in mind that Watergate is right around the cover, in reaction to which Steve Rogers will abandon the identity of Captain America to become Nomad in #180. All things considered the comic book suffers a bit during this period from trying to be both socially relevant when Cap and the Falcon are fighting crime in Harlem, while still playing up "The Living Legend of World War II" bit and his work with S.H.I.E.L.D. Both are valid approaches, but jumping back and forth certainly disrupts the flow of the title during this time (having four writers and four artists during this period could not help). But teaming up our hero with the Falcon is definitely a landmark moment in the distinguished history of the character, who I do not believe for a moment is really dead, let alone really most sincerely dead.

Essential Daredevil, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)

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Stan Lee and Gene Colan take Daredevil to new heights

Essential Daredevil, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee , and Gene Colan
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785114629

Customer Reviews:

Stan Lee and Gene Colan take Daredevil to new heights.......2004-08-30

To be clear on what book we are talking about here, this is Volume 2 of "The Essential Daredevil," which collects not only issues #26-48 and Special #1 of "Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!" but also issue #73 of "The Fantastic Four." The addition of this last story is great because it completes the story line from "Daredevil" #37-38 where Doctor Doom switches bodies with Daredevil so that he can attack the FF. That trio of stories is pretty much the high point of this collection so being able to read the entire story without cursing because Volume 3 of "The Essential Fantastic Four" ended about a year short of issue #73 is a good thing.

"Daredevil" finally became a hot comic book when Frank Miller took over as the artist, but I always liked the character from early on. In fact, "Daredevil" was the second Marvel superhero comic book I started reading after "Spider-Man" (the very first, for the record, was "Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos"). One thing I liked was the fact that Daredevil's alter ego, Matt Murdock, was a lawyer, an aspect that I thought they should have played up a lot more in the comic book over the years. Then there was the fact that I always liked Gene Colan's artwork and in "The Essential Daredevil, Volume 2" he is the book's artist, while Stan Lee continues with the scripting chores.

There are some major developments for the cast of characters in these issues. Having created a fake brother, Mike Murdock, to be Daredevil while Matt continues to be the blind lawyer, but eventually "Mike" gets killed (#41). Then there are the episodes where Daredevil ends up really being blind (#30-32), just to put DD through the wringer. Yes, some of the villains are pretty lame (the Beetle was always a joke and how the Stiltman survives a fight more than 30 seconds I will never know), but in #42 the Jester shows up and even if he is a combination of the Riddler and the Joker he is still one of the best DD villains and I like the cover of #45 where the two are fighting over a photograph of the Statue of Liberty. Spider-Man swings by in issue #27, Thor shows up in #30, and DD ends up fighting Captain America in #43.

The issues with Doctor Doom and the Jester are far and away the best of the bunch in this collection story-wise, but you also get the Cobra and Mr. Hyde, the Trapster, the Exterminator, and the Unholy Three, not to mention Foggy Nelson and Karen Page back at the office of Nelson & Murdock. Even with Jack Kirby drawing the "FF" issue, I will still argue the chief attraction here is Colan's artwork. His finest work for my money is always going to be "The Tomb of Dracula," the first two "Essentials" volumes of which are also out now, but "Daredevil" is pretty good as well and nobody in the Marvel Bullpen drew better women. That is why when Daredevil had to share his comic with the Black Widow it was a gift from the heavens.

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Pirate Freedom (Sci Fi Essential Books)
Gene Wolfe
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765318784
Release Date: 2007-11-13

Book Description

As a young parish priest, Father Christopher has heard many confessions, but his own tale is more astounding than any revelation he has ever encountered in the confessional . . . for Chris was once a pirate captain, hundreds of years before his birth.

Fresh from the monastery, the former novice finds himself inexplicably transported back to the Golden Age of Piracy, where an unexpected new life awaits him. At first, he resists joining the notorious Brethren of the Coast, but he soon embraces the life of a buccaneer, even as he succumbs to the seductive charms of a beautiful and enigmatic senorita. As the captain of his own swift ship, which may or may not be cursed, he plunders the West Indies in search of Spanish gold. From Tortuga to Port Royal, from the stormy waters of the Caribbean to steamy tropical jungles, Captain Chris finds danger, passion, adventure, and treachery as he hoists the black flag and sets sail for the Spanish mainland.

Where he will finally come to port only God knows . . . .

Pirate Freedom is a captivating new masterpiece by the award-winning author of The Wizard Knight and Soldier of Sidon.

Essential Super-Villain Team-Up, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)

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Bring on the Bad Guys!
At last, at last.
Ride on Victor Von Doom's time machine back to the 1970s!
Get this one to see Wally Wood's version of Dr. Doom!

Essential Super-Villain Team-Up, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Gerry Conway , Steve Englehart , Roy Thomas , Tony Isabella , Wally Wood , and Gene Colan
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785115455

Customer Reviews:

Bring on the Bad Guys!.......2006-08-16

There are two sides to every story. Sure, the Red Skull always seems like a bad guy, but isn't that really because we see him in stories about Captain America? If we read a story featuring him in a story, would he come off looking better? Actually, no. The Red Skull is a villain no matter how you look at him. But that doesn't mean he can't star in a story every now and them. In The Essential Super Villain Team-up, we get to see him and other villains as the stars of the stories instead of supporting characters.

Actually, the title is a bit of a misnomer. For one thing, the majority of stories feature only two characters, Dr. Doom and the Sub-Mariner, and, misanthropic as he may be, the Sub-Mariner is not really a villain. Secondly, the characters are only intermittently teamed up; typically, they are at each others throats. Any alliances we see among any of the featured villains are purely a matter of expedience and will lead to betrayal at the first opportunity.

Misnamed as this collection may be, it does feature a few good stories. My personal favorite is an ironic two-parter featuring Dr. Doom and Magneto. The story opens with Doom having achieved his goal - he has taken over the world - and he is instantly bored, which will precipitate his eventual defeat. Interestingly, however, most of the stories are not all that thrilling; while the writing is okay, these super-villains lose their aura of mysterious evil when they become the protagonists and are thus diminished.

Perhaps the best that can be said for this collection is that demonstrates that not all villains are equally evil. The Sub-Mariner isn't really evil at all and Doom is driven more by arrogance than pure malice. At the other end of the spectrum, the Red Skull is wholly unredeemable. For fans of the Marvel Universe, this is a relatively minor book, definite three star fare. Intriguing as the title may be, this should not be your first choice for an Essentials book.

At last, at last. .......2005-04-16

I've always found this title to be one of the more interesting of Marvel's ideas. To me the villians are what always caused me to keep coming back the next month, so this naturally drew my interest. I'm only sorry that it didn't have a longer run.
The last two issues (with the Red Skull and the Hate Monger) are the best of series and they are certainly the most vicious.

Ride on Victor Von Doom's time machine back to the 1970s!.......2004-12-22

It may be surprising that the editors at Marvel even bothered to release this collected edition, but I'm very glad that they did! The Essential Super-Villain Team-Up is one of those rare gems that will remind you of a time when Marvel routinely dared to try different concepts.

The first section of the book is devoted to the Dr. Doom solo stories from issues 1 through 8 of Astonishing Tales, from 1970 and 1971. Doom shared the pages of AT with Ka-Zar, but the jungle hero's tales are NOT included in this volume. (Maybe they'll publish "The Essential Ka-Zar" in the future.)

Originally published erratically from 1975 to 1980, Super-Villain Team-Up began as two quarterly "Giant-Size" special issues in 1975. Sales warranted a bi-monthly series, which ran for 17 issues from 1975 until 1977. It was later "revived" for two issues in 1979 and 1980. All of these are collected here, with the exception of SVTU #15, which was just a reprint of two of the AT stories.

Filling out the volume are three issues of The Avengers (#154-156) and one issue of The Champions (#16), all of which were crossover issues with SVTU in 1976 and 1977.

Although the cover of this trade paperback only features Dr. Doom and the Sub-Mariner, you will find several other venerable Marvel villains, including the Red Skull, Magneto, Attuma, Diablo, Arnim Zola, and Satan himself! Plus guest stars like the Fantastic Four, the Shroud, Henry Kissinger, Jimmy Carter, and even Adolf Hitler!

This book has a lot going for it, from the stunning art of Wally Wood on the first four Astonishing Tales, to the single greatest Dr. Doom tale ever ("...Though Some Call It Magic!", by Conway & Colan, AT #8), to the death of the Sub-Mariner's first love Betty Dean, to the bizarre yet compelling alliance of Nazi villain the Red Skull with Hitler himself!

If this Essential volume has any weaknesses, however, one may be that the stories do not flow together as well as in other volumes (ex., Essential Amazing Spider-Man) simply due to the nature of the original publication. Although the comics reprinted here were "starring roles" for Doom, Subby, etc., SVTU was more about action and treachery than characterization. The early AT stories and the Doom/Namor alliance saga are exceptions, but the last 1/3 or so of the volume seemed very hit-or-miss to me.

Likewise the art is inconsistent. You have some great work by Wood, Colan, George Perez, Sal Buscema, but I also had to sit through a couple of real stinkers where the pencil work looked like a teenager's try-out samples. However, if you enjoy seeing a variety of artistic styles, especially in the "mighty Marvel manner" of the 1970s, this might not bother you at all.

All together I would rate The Essential Super-Villain Team-Up as a solid 85 out of 100, and I'd recommend it to any fan of superhero comics. If only for the opportunity to experience what Marvel was like in the '70s --- either as a younger reader who never had the chance to own these obscure issues, or as a long-time fan wishing to read them again and again!

Get this one to see Wally Wood's version of Dr. Doom! .......2004-10-08

This one compiles a lot of little known classic work of Roy Thomas, Tony Isabella, Bill Everett (Sub Mariner creator) and most of all we get to see Wally Wood's version of Dr. Doom! Also Incredible Hulk artist Herb Trimpe's art is in a few issues.

That made the book a real treat. We get to see what he might have done if he were the artist behind one of Marvel's great villians. It features an unlikely team of two of Marvel's most misunderstood characters. Sub Mariner; who played villian and hero on and off depending on the writer, and Doom who was such an interesting personality. Both of them have to ironically fight nemesis like the Red Skull who want to conquer and overthrow their territory.

This title never became what the hero inspired Marvel Team Up with Spider-Man became. It would have survived if Doom had teamed up with other villians than the ones in this volume. Perhaps a team up with Doc Ock from Spidey might have helped?
With all the old Marvels of the sixties and Seventies making a re-appearance this one is a must buy. So much so that I hope that this is the start of new revival of the Doom legend.

Essential Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 4 (Marvel Essentials)

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Surprisingly good.
Reprinting all of Marvel's black & white "Dracula" stories

Essential Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 4 (Marvel Essentials)
Marv Wolfman , Steve Gerber , Doug Moench , Gerry Conway , Gene Colan , and Tony Isabella
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785117091

Book Description

The Essential Tomb of Dracula series continues featuring tales of Dracula through the ages - from when he first became a vampire and eventually Lord of the Undead to his resurfacing in modern times. Collects stories from Tomb of Dracula Magazine #2, 4-6, Dracula Lives! #1-13 and Frankenstein Monster #7-9.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

The end of the Tomb of Dracula series is contained in this volume. There are other things like Dracula magazines and other bits and pieces put in to fill it out.

Note that it has been discovered that the excellent original artwork has been altered and censored in some cases. That sort of prudishness in very disappointing in something that was always aimed at adults.

Surprisingly good........2006-10-02

This volume could be suspected of being solely for completists, since it reprints little-known short stories from Marvel's many horror mags. In fact, before reading it, I feared it might feel like a lot of inventory material. I was quite happy to be proven wrong.

Editorial care was taken to present these stories in chronological order, giving them a biographical flavor (we follow Dracula from the late XVth century to the present). The artwork is unequal, but we're treated to some good work by Neal Adams, John Buscema and Alan Lee Weis, by many Filipino artists whose art never looks so good as in black and white, by a young Paul Gulacy and by Dracula's best illustrator ever, Gene Colan.

This final Essential Dracula tome can not compete with the previous three, since they presented the brilliant run of the main Dracula title by Wolfman and Colan; however, it certainly makes a welcome companion. And as ever, at the price, it's a bargain.

Reprinting all of Marvel's black & white "Dracula" stories.......2005-05-10

I was surprised there was a Volume 4 of the "Essential Tomb of Dracula" because once they got to the end of the run of the Marvel comic book mostly written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by Gene Colan, I figured that was it. But there were some black & white magazines being put out at the same time and it is largely the Dracula stories from those titles that are collected here. However, there is also the original pencil art for the pages that Wolfman and Colan had to excise from "Tomb of Dracula" #70 when the finale was finally decided to be a double-issue. Half the pages have dialogue and there is an issue break, so you can have some fun figuring where these pages would have gone. But at least fans of the comic book get a little something new here even if they are familiar with all of the reprints.

What we have in Volume are stories from issues #2-6 of "Tomb of Dracula" magazine, "Dracula Lives" #1-13, and "Frankenstein Monster" #7-9. However, the neat thing about this collection is that the stories are, for the most part, arranged "chronologically" according to the "life" of Dracula. After an article on "Bloodline: A Probable Outline of the Career of Count Vlad Dracula" compiled by Peter Gillis we go back to 1452 with the Marvel origin of the character in "That Dracula May Live Again" by Marv Wolfman and Neal Adams. There are six stories from the 15th century, another dozen before Stoker's "Dracula" in 1890, a three-part encounter with the Frankenstein Monster in 1898 (already reprinted in the "Essential Monster of Frankenstein"), and then 20th century stories from 1903, 1926, and 1944 (the Nazis meet Dracula) before we get to "Today" and the final eleven stories.

This is an uneven collection of stories, which is to be expected with other Marvel writers and artists getting into the act in telling Dracula stories. The best of the bunch are "Sanctuary" by Roger McKenzie and Colon, the Adams drawn story mentioned above, "Suffer Not a Witch" by Roy Thomas with art by Alan Weiss and Dick Giordano, the Civil War tale "A House Divided" by James Shooter and Colan (okay, any time Colan draws a Dracula story it just looks so much better than, say, Frank Robbins), the short "Bounty for a Vampire" by Tony Isabell and Tony DeZeuniga," and "A Night in the Unlife" by Gerry Conway and Alfredo Alcala." But "This Blood Is Mine," a story that has Dracula meeting up with the Countess Elizabeth Bathory, is particularly disappointing as do most of the attempts to introduce the Count into a particular time and place (e.g., the Fascist Rome of 1926 passing for gangland Chicago).

This has to be the last volume in the collection and it certainly qualifies as complete from my perspective. I appreciate having "The Tomb of Dracula" completed, but if they would just get further along with the "Essential Fantastic Four," "Essential Thor," and "Essential Daredevil" I could be even happier.

Essential Moon Knight, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Excellent showcase...of a classic hero. great reading ahead!
Fun read
The Light Knight
Moon Knight Essential - A Must for any Serious Moon Knight Fan

Essential Moon Knight, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Doug Moench , Bill Mantlo , and Steven Grant
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785120920

Book Description

Debuting as both enemy and ally of the Werewolf by Night, Moon Knight's three personalities equaled one eerie adventure after another by Moench, Miller and more! Earning enemies like the brutal Bushman and the macabre Morpheus early in his career, Moon Knight also teamed up with Spider-Man, the Thing, and others against well-known and forgotten villains alike! Spun by Cyclone! Caught by Crossfire! Plus: an early fight with the Purple Man alongside Luke Cage! Featuring Topaz from Witches and the original White Tiger! Includes black-and-white stories not reprinted in more than two decades! Collects Werewolf By Night #32-33; Marvel Spotlight #28-29; Spectacular Spider-Man #22-23; Marvel Two-In-One #52; Hulk Magazine #11-15, 17-18, 20-21; Marvel Preview #21; Moon Knight #1-10.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This is one Essential that is really good. For those not familiar with Moon Knight, a really good buy, as well as for the nostalgic. It introduces the character in his werewolf hunt, shows how he gets his fluctuating attributes, then becomes something much better with the new team.

A publication that is well suited to the format, definitely consider this.

Excellent showcase...of a classic hero. great reading ahead!.......2007-02-22

this collection of moon knight's early adventures is a action packed read from start to finish. Its great to finally have them in one volume. cant wait for volume 2 where we get to see more magic from doug moench and denny oneil(of batman fame)

first off you get the first apperance of moon knight in werewolf by night number 32 from the 1970's..then all the hulk magazine stories,as well as the first 10 issues of the regular series..a great buy indeed.

ive always been a big fan of moon knight from the start..thru the 80s series..various specials, limited series, the 90's series..right up to the edgy new series... fantastic reading all around..

ill admit, at first i wasnt big on these collections because they were strictly black and white..but after seeing moon knight in black and white it worked..it gives the books a creepy,macabre feeling that works well for moon knight.. you also get the bio of moon knight from the handbook of the marvel universe as a bonus...not a bad way to spend 12.00 (thats what the guy at my comic shop charged me)

Moon knight is often compared to batman..and sure they are similar in context..but moon knight has his own flavor such as his bond with the god of the moon his love for marlene..his multiple identies..and who can forget his street informer..crawley? a classic !

some of the stories in moon knights career border on the supernatural, the occult, the occasional super villian, and some old fashoned detective stories..combined with tons of action, suspense, and other surprises along the way..great reading ahead..

marvel has also stated that a live action moon knight television series is being put into production. im excited about this..moon knight has so much potential..

i have these actual issues ive collected over the years..but this essential collection is a great deal..because sometimes id rather read this volume ,then handle my vintage books..

bottom line, if your new to moon knight and want the complete story..by all means check it out..you wont regret it. if your like me who wants to preserve your vintage books...this is a no brainer..

make mine marvel!

Fun read.......2006-09-24

Yeah, It's a fun read. I TOTALLY agree with people who say MK is "Marvels Batman" but that doesn't mean it's not a good read (After all Batman is a good read too)
I remember the "Hulk Magazine" when I was a kid but I did NOT remember the artwork being so great!The only thing I didn't go for was that I LIKED the whole "Werwolf by Night" Origin. (He was cool) when they said that Frenchy (aka Alfred) was a member of the evil Commitee so MK could "Brilliantly" infiltrate it by revealing his secret Idenity I was just like..."huh?"
Anyway read it, take it for what it is...
Fun

The Light Knight.......2006-08-16

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there is a lot of sincere flattery in the arts. You need look no further than all the Da Vinci Code knockoff novels to know that once a winning formula is discovered, others jump on the bandwagon. In the comic book universe, Batman has always been one of the more successful characters, so it is not surprising that Marvel came up with their own take on the Caped Crusader. In fact, the only surprise seems to be that it took so long to occur, but when it did, they at least got it right: Moon Knight may have started as something of a Batman clone, but good writing made the character stand out on his own.

Originally introduced in Werewolf by Night as a hired hand for a crime organization called the Committee, Moon Knight soon switched over to hero status. The full origin would take years to relate (not until he got his own comic), but it involved mercenary Marc Spector being almost killed in the Egyptian desert. Through means that may or may not be supernatural, he came back from the brink of death in front of a moon god called Khonshu; Spector takes this as an omen and adopts his Moon Knight identity.

Actually, he adopts two more identities as well; Steven Grant the playboy millionaire and Jake Lockley the streetwise taxi driver. Using these multiple guises, he is able to play whatever role is necessary to fight crime. In the early issues, Moon Knight does not have any true nemesis on the scale of Dr. Doom or Lex Luthor, but he does have the Joker-like foe known as the Bushman. The Bushman may have a similar look to the Joker, but personality-wise, he is completely different, a sadistic criminal who has adopted his appearance to strike terror into his adversaries.

The similarities to Batman are obvious: both are masked heroes with a wealthy alter-ego who operate principally at night with no real superpowers. The differences, however, are also significant. Despite his seemingly split personalities, Moon Knight is a more well-adjusted person than his model, capable of having friends and a lover; unlike Batman, he finds crime fighting to be a crusade but not an obsession. Also, the adversaries Moon Knight faces are typically as human as he is; he doesn't contend with more bizarre characters like the Riddler or Penguin. (By the way, I'm not knocking Batman, just noting the differences).

This volume covers Moon Knight's early appearances and the first ten issues of his own comic. It's with his own comic that he really hits his stride, with stories that are gritty but usually not too grim. Doug Moench's writing is well-complemented by the art of Bill Sienkiewich, especially when Klaus Janson inks. I won't say every story in this collection is perfect, but there are also no clunkers: overall, this rates a high four-stars and is one of the more worthwhile Essentials books.

Moon Knight Essential - A Must for any Serious Moon Knight Fan.......2006-08-10

Adding to the ongoing "Essential" Marvel trade paperback series that reprints comics from the early issues of key titles, Moon Knight Essential features the work of Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz in a high point for both them and the Moon Knight character. The book reprints Moon Knight's first appearance in the highly sought after "Werewolf by Night" #32-33 and then continues on with his appearances in "Hulk" magazine which were later released with the 1980 ongoing Moon Knight series as special editions #1-3. The remainder of the book features issues #1-10 of the 1980 Moon Knight solo series, which explained the origin of not only Moon Knight, but also the necessity and circumstances giving rise to his four identities (Marc Spector, Steven Grant-Millionaire, Jake Lockley-Street Wise Cabbie/Informant, and Moon Knight). There's a brief interlude with a few issues devoted to a team-up with Spider-Man to fight Cyclone and the final issue of the reprinted series (#10) features the return of Bushman, Moon Knight's arch-nemesis from his mercenary days in Africa. With Marvel's 2006 re-release of the Moon Knight series this book is a great way to get up on character that for the most part was considered a long-standing member of the Marvel "B-List."

Moon Knight often receives criticism as the Marvel response to Batman, but Moon Knight proves to be a far more psychologically compelling character due to his ongoing struggle to balance his four competing identities and the ongoing ambiguity as to whether or not he actually receives power from an ancient Egyptian moon god, which he believes resurrected him.

Because the reprints are black and white reading can pose somewhat challenging at times especially when dark letters appear over a colored backgrounds. Overall a great read and for some, maybe an invitation to return to what was probably an overlooked yet dynamic character.

Essential Daredevil, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)

Average customer rating:

A Whole Different Take From the Modern Daredevil.
Allow me to play Daredevil's Advocate for a moment...
Our hero cannot make up his mind about being either Daredevil or Matt Murdock

Essential Daredevil, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee , Roy Thomas , Gary Friedrich , Len Wein , Gerry Conway , Allyn Brodsky , Gene Colan , Barry Smith , Barry Windsor-Smith , and Don Heck
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785117245

Book Description

Daredevil's original identity crisis kicks off a collection of Colan classics! The ups and downs of his doomed love for Karen Page begin here! And DD goes Hollywood with the Stuntmaster and Brother Brimstone, but is any star as big as... the Stilt-Man? From costumed crimelords to otherworldly intruders, foes both famed and forgotten fall before the fighter without fear! Guest-starring Spider-Man, the Black Panther, Nick Fury, and Iron Man! Collects Daredevil #49-74 and Iron Man #35-36.

Customer Reviews:

A Whole Different Take From the Modern Daredevil........2005-12-06

The tales in this volume (and it's two predecessors) prove one thing very quickly. In these stories, the character really IS a daredevil, a reckless, often devil-may-care adventurer who will risk his life just to make the fight (or his personal life) more interesting. Therein lies the uniqueness of these tales.

The stories are not brilliant, though they are certainly a lot of fun. The Gene Colan art is definitely worth seeing, but he does occasionally live up to his reputation for artistic laziness. All in all, these comics are above average, but not great. But still, they are unique because of their take on Matt Murdock. As you read these tales, you have to wonder if this Matt is insane because of the spontaneous, crazy things he does. Among other things, he spent many, many issues pretending to be his own twin brother (who was secretly Daredevil, he claimed), fooling all his friends with his triple-identity! That's just nuts, but fun to read.

Certainly, it's not the same character you'll find in modern Daredevil comics. These days, for better or worse, DD has become about one man taking monumental amounts of responsibility on his shoulders to aid his fellow man, literally sacrificing parts of his own life for their betterment. The character and his adventures are dark and grim, full of unrelenting tension and pressure for DD to put things right. That produces some amazing, emotional, even profound stories. Miller and a few of his 21st century successors have created the best Daredevil stories ever told.

But, even if their character might be sometimes described as insane for the risks he takes, he is never nuts like this! And he definitely never has this much fun. Neither is he this unique.

******

Recommended!

Allow me to play Daredevil's Advocate for a moment..........2005-08-26

If you've read any of my other reviews of Marvel Essential books on this site, you may come to the conclusion that I dislike Daredevil, and I want to say that that isn't entirely true. I think that Stan Lee's decision to give a superhero the secret identity of a blind man was a masterstroke, as was making him a lawyer. After all, law enforcement is already a hobby for most comic book characters, so why not make it a profession? However, Daredevil is still among my least preferred Essential books because he is clearly the least powerful of Marvel's Dramatis Personae. I'm not saying that it's the superpowers alone that make the superhero. I'm saying that the central conflicts of a comic tale invariably reflect the capability of the main character to overcome them, and during the Silver Age, when everyone was mostly fighting thieves who had brightly-colored costumes and bizarre gimmicks, DD didn't fit in so well. Daredevil's personal Rogues Gallery were just so wimpy that Spider-Man would more likely laugh at them than fight them (Heck, anybody who has a grappling hook and 50 feet of rope could defend all of NYC from the menace of the Stilt-Man). Today's comic fans are likely to say that Frank Miller is their favorite DD writer and I feel that's because he gave him a gritty, grimy Hell's Kitchen setting and put him against exaggerated but believable underworld figures like the Kingpin, Bullseye, and Typhoid Mary. Miller presented Daredevil as a "nicer" counterpoint to the Punisher, and in my opinion that is where he works best.

Anyway, I'm here today to review the Essential Daredevil 3 (which collects DD's appearances in the early 70's). I thought that it had its moments but it's still exemplary of the personal grievances that I have against the character in the time period.

I was in a very good mood shortly after cracking open this book because the first story is simply excellent. Our hero, who was earlier considering abandoning his Daredevil identity, has reluctantly taken up pursuit of the murderous Samuel "Starr" Saxon (the most effeminate mad scientist since Dr. Smith from Lost and Space). After a tense four-issue chase, not only does Saxon learn that Matt Murdock is Daredevil, he also informs DD that there is no evidence that links Saxon to any misdeeds and gets off scot-free. This development caught me totally off guard as I was so used to the supervillain being handed over cleanly to the police just on the superhero's word in previous tales; I had to check back over the earlier issues to make sure he was right. Realizing that blackmail would be imminent, the morose Matt Murdock is forced to fake his own death and pull triple-shifts as Daredevil (Ironic, isn't it?) in order to flush out the culprit. That tale is a fabulous entry into the sweeping epic storylines of Marvel's "Grandiose" period and ranks as my favorite pre-Miller Daredevil story arc.

It's a shame that the best story had to be this collection's opening number, but there was still some enjoyment to be had. Daredevil defeats the unscrupulous glory-hound Nighthawk, forcing him to get his act together and join the Defenders later. I found the team-up with Black Panther where they saved a young boy from the perils of gangland to be very down-to-earth and poignant. The McCarthy-esque, pinko-hunting Tribune made for a top-notch stage villain (He claimed that, in a pure democracy, the people would never question the decisions of their government. Did he miss a Freshman Civics class or something?). Also, in a truly cathartic moment, Matt Murdock reveals his alter ego to his love Karen Page who leaves him because she doesn't want a man who needlessly puts himself in danger. It makes me appreciate the final scene in the second Spider-Man movie even more.

Unfortunately, a good half of the issues just fell completely flat, and the Essential Daredevil 3 is a pretty big book. The mob boss Crime-Wave was unmasked and he was somebody that Nelson and Murdock knew, although there were no actual clues leading up to his capture and no real reason to get involved in the mystery (yawn). There were some so-so rematches with DD's old so-so foes, like Cobra, Mr. Hyde, Jester, Mr. Fear, and the Gladiator (who was allegedly amnesiac so Foggy Nelson decided to give him his weapons and armor back to jog his memory. Guess what happened next). Many plots were needlessly convoluted (Why was Mr. Kragg's group Phoenix constantly called an extreme left-wing political faction when all they did was fix boxing matches and beat up the District Attorney? Why did Daredevil and his sometime-friend/sometime-would-be-assassin the Stunt-Master swap outfits to catch those thieves when the plan would have worked fine in their own regular clothes?) and some just made no sense whatsoever (like the Iron Man crossover vs. Zodiac, and, to a lesser extent, the one about the leopard people who can walk through mirrors). Also, I am really getting tired of the foes that use optic nerve-paralysis beams or corneal irritant gas or blindness potions against DD and are shocked into surrender when they somehow don't work. If only those guys had debuted in Captain America's or the Fantastic Four's magazines first, then they might be ruling the world right now (unless of course it was an issue that was guest starring Daredevil, like in the Essential Spectacular Spider-Man). Last and most certainly least, issue #67 features the lamest Stilt-Man fight that I have ever seen (although I will probably say that about every subsequent Stilt-Man fight that I see. Check back later).

In short, I liked some stories in this Essential volume, but I couldn't get excited about it as a whole. The foundation has always been good as Murdock's character is unique, introspective, and interesting, and I've always felt that the stark realism and deep shadows of Gene Colan's artwork were ideal for the magazine (If only the plots could match the pictures). Although, from the research and discussions that I've made in the local comic book scene, the 70's put the Man without Fear through a long and taxing slump (except perhaps for some of the Black Widow team-ups) and so I wonder if the fourth Essential is due to arrive any time soon. I'm going to say that this Essential is a good choice for fans, although the casual reader would have a better time with the Marvel Visionaries: Frank Miller books or the most recent series started by Brian Michael Bendis because this book is a real mixed bag.

Oh, and I wanted to apologize for comparing Daredevil to Jimmy Olsen in my review of Essential Thor 2. Ol' Hornhead deserves better than that.

Our hero cannot make up his mind about being either Daredevil or Matt Murdock.......2005-08-19

"Essential Daredevil, Volume 3" collects together episodes #49-74 of "Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!" along with "Iron Man" #35-36, which was a crossover story about the Zodiac gang. This represents a transitional period as Roy Thomas replaced Stan Lee as the writer for the book, although by the end of this collection it is Gerry Gonway who has taken over as scripter. Except for three issues drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, it is Gene Colan who is DD's artist. In fact, at this point in the history of the comic book Daredevil just did not look right unless Colan was drawing him. We are not yet up to the point when Colan's pencils started being inked by Tom Palmer, so I have a slight preference for Syd Shores as inker over George Klein and Johnny Craig. As for Windsor-Smith, who was still just plain Barry Smith at that point, his art on "Daredevil" was certainly a big improvement over his first work for Marvel, the infamous "X-Men" #53 that he literally drew on park benches in Central Park, but there was still nothing to indicate what he would be doing within a couple of years on "Conan the Barbarian" (although he is already into drawing more panels per page than other comic book artists).

At the beginning of this collection things are not going well for our hero. Now that Foggy is New York City's District Attorney he law firm of Nelson and Murdock has broken up and Matt Murdock no longer wants to be Daredevil. However, Starr Saxon has created a robot to track down Daredevil, even if he is in his civilian identity. But when Saxon discovers that Matt Murdock is Daredevil, that changes everything, especially when radioactive particles in his blood threaten DD's life. In issue #53 Thomas and Colan retell Daredevil's origin, after which our hero decides that the problem in his life is not Daredevil but rather Matthew Murdock, so he proceeds to "kill" Matt off by faking a plane crash. Now Foggy and Karen think Matt is dead while Daredevil has to face Mr. Fear. In #56-57 a well known jeweled Aztec skull becomes the inspiration for Death's Head and at the end of two-part story Daredevil reveals to Karen that not only is Matt Murdoch still alive, he is really Daredevil. So much for keeping his identity secret and for killing off Matt. Now Matt starts working the D.A.'s office as a special assistant and vows that Daredevil's days are over (#58).

Most of these developments are interesting, but we are not even halfway through this collection and all of this has happened, which sort of undercuts any of these decisions (that and the fact that it takes only a couple of issues for our hero to change his mind). Telling the truth is not helping Matt and Karen in their troubled relationship, so there is no benefit there, and at least blind ex-cop Willie Lincoln is around to lend our hero a sympathetic ear. By issue #61 the Jester, one of my favorite DD villains, is back, this time with Mr. Hyde and the Cobra. The Daredevil has to fight Nighthawk (#62), the Gladiator (#63), the Stunt-Master (#64), Brother Brimstone (#65-66), Stilt-Man (#67), and Kragg (#68). The Black Panther returns in issue #69 and then Gary Friedrich comes up with the Tribune (#70-71) as a new villain with a judicial bent that works well with Murdock being a lawyer. Then DD encounters Tagak, the Leopard Lord (#72), before teaming up with Iron Man to take on the Zodiac, a group of super villains where each is based on one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac (duh).

Despite the fact that we start with some hectic times for Daredevil regarding being a superhero and keeping his identity secret, overall these issues represnt something of a lull in the character's history. There are a few storylines that you can say are trying to be classic issues, but none of them really get there. The retelling of DD's origin, the cover of which serves as the cover for this collection as well, is arguably the best issue included and it obviously represents nothing new. If Thomas let the changes he puts DD through last longer (a lot longer), then these issues would cover a more important period in the character's life. But the first half is racing through major changes and the second half is basically back to a different villain each month (and only one appearance by the Jester). Still, there is Colan's artwork and I never get tired of looking at that.

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