Doc Savage #5 Review

Does this deserve attention? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

When a group of cultists takes control of an abandoned orbital weapon in 1988, threatening to burn whole cities unless their demands are met, the whole world is in a state of panic. Fortunately, Doc Savage and his aides are already in orbit repairing a communications satellite, and are the only ones who have a chance of averting disaster. But it’s a slim chance…

I’ll  admit that the book we hold in our hands is not revolutionary. And it can feel a bit off to what we’ve become accustomed to but somehow the creative team has succeeded in crafting a largely entertaining yarn, that may carry imperfections, but still manages to win over an audience.

There’s something about the script by Chris Roberson that instantly spoke to me. I recognize that these new adventures featuring the Man of Bronze are corny but even so the way the words are written and the actions delivered there’s something innately coherent about them. It’s a language that makes the whole thing work even as we see a team of unbelievable protagonists take on the remnants of a Nazi plot. Much of the dialogue feels stuffy but in the broad strokes, when the text requires it, the author steps up the plate and delivers.

Beyond some hiccups here and there the art done by Bilquis Evely continues to be a fountain of detail that deserves a purchase just for its display. The characters and the world are expertly crafted as these renditions ebb and flow with the very essence of the modern age. Add in the dynamic colors and all I can say is kudos to Daniela Miwa. The entire package is of a higher quality than this release needs or requires and that’s exactly what sets it apart.

Doc Savage #5 is the type of comic I like to review. It revisits a style many might be unfamiliar with while updating its source in a competent way. It can be a bit shaky but it easily earns a recommendation from me.