Chris Roberson seems to love Doc Savage. His enthusiasm for the concept, the thirties setting and the characters makes this issue work. He just doesn’t necessarily write a comic for readers who aren’t just as enthusiastic about Doc Savage. And I imagine it’d be hard to find anyone enthusiastic enough.

There’s nothing new about this series. Roberson manages to make nods toward the characters Savage has influenced but nods aren’t enough for an issue, much less a series.

Bilquis Evely’s art is okay, but it too lacks anything particular. It’s a straightforward rendering of 1933 New York City. It’s occasionally very nice looking (mostly with the buildings, though one or two action panels), but the style is too vanilla. Savage needs some teeth, otherwise it comes off too pat.

Roberson employs a laid back narration, which is interesting and different. Sadly, he’s writing narration of mediocre story. Where’s the beef?

C 

CREDITS

Writer, Chris Roberson; artist, Bilquis Evely; colorist, Daniela Miwa; letterer, Rob Steen; editors, Molly Mahan and Joseph Rybandt; publisher, Dynamite Entertainment.