Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Sonny Liew
Collects Doctor Fate #1-7, DC Sneak Peek: Doctor Fate #1
As the week comes to a close, we arrive at our final look at collected editions featuring characters who don’t always get their time in the spotlight. This particular review focuses on DC’s resident man of magic, Doctor Fate, who has been reinterpreted for a new era.
The latest unsuspecting chap to pick up the helmet of Nabu is that of Khalid “Kent” Nassour, a young college student who happens to be a descendant of Egyptian royalty. Writer Paul Levitz offers a nice balance of Khalid’s personal life and superheroics. The banter between characters reads very well, although there are quite a bit of instances of thinking out loud. Perhaps that’s due to the fact that Levitz is from an era of comics in which that was the norm.
Something else that separates this title from the rest of the pack is Sonny Liew’s unique artwork. He brings a sort of indie feel to the book and handles the surreal aspects capably. That generous dose of surrealism coupled with talking animals forced me to hear Johnny Cash’s voice when reading for Anubis, who appears in the form of a jackal; Simpsons fans will know what I’m talking about.
On that note, Anubis brings the gift of a biblical scale flood with him that threatens to consume New York – and later the Earth – while the helmet of Nabu seeks a new champion. As I said earlier, it’s Khalid who must reluctantly pick up the torch and save the planet – all while starting a new semester at school and trying to maintain a relationship with his best gal.
The young man’s path to discovery, which includes a tremendous incorporation of Egyptology, makes for quite the wild ride. This book may be a bit different from what you were expecting, but it most assuredly honors the mythos of Fate. If you go in with an open mind, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Yes, the Anubis story is seemingly wrapped up in the final pages, but it kind of feels like the origin of the latest person to take up Fate’s mantle is still in progress. If you are looking for a good urban fantasy story set within the DC Universe, you should give this book a try.
