A really cool new title from Valiant arrives with its second issue this week. Dr. Mirage, about a young woman who has entered Hell in search of her late husband, is a unique read.
Written by Magdalene Visaggio and illustrated by Nick Robles (coloured by Jordie Bellaire, letters by Dave Sharpe), it combines the spaciness of Dr. Strange with a plot that echoes the spookiness of X-Files or some of Clive Barker’s horror stuff. It’s not horror in the true sense of the macabre, but the journey across the living-and-dead ‘life barrier’ is a dark subject.
Ironically, this story is full of light. The colours are brilliant, glowing pinks and yellows, mixed and mingled with earth tones and pale blue. But full of menace. And caves.
Shan, the wife, and Grace, her helping companion embark together on a metaphysical journey. It’s psychedelic and mesmerizing. And the back story of how this all came to be, is an entertaining side trek. Are they getting somewhere, or just getting further in trouble?
Well told, with wonderful art, Dr. Mirage shows us playful panel breakdowns, heart-wrenching personal breakdowns, mind-melds, and marvelous visual and verbal textures.
Valiant, Dr. Mirage #2, $3.99 for 21 pages of content. Assume Mature rating
Newsdesk