DOCTOR SPEKTOR: MASTER OF THE OCCULT #1 Review


Does this world of the Occult prove to be a worthy addition to the Golden Key Universe or is it one you should miss? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

“TV legend. Wall Street wolf. Internet mogul. Tabloid bad boy. Master metaphysicist. Spiritualist. Monster hunter. Doctor Adam Spektor is all of these things…and less.” For fifteen years, Spektor has traveled the globe to smoke out and defeat werewolves, vampires, ghosts and everything else that goes bump in the night. Yet his success has brought him no peace…some part of him is missing, something he needs but can’t name. But he’s about to find what’s missing…in an unlikely place… UNLOCK ANOTHER PIECE OF THE GOLD KEY UNIVERSE, courtesy of MARK WAID (Daredevil, Indestructible Hulk) and NEIL EDWARDS (X-Factor, Fantastic Four)!

Spektor #1 variantDoctor Spektor is the only character from Dynamite’s Golden Key Universe that I know next to nothing about as though I have heard of him for some reason I have never been inclined to buy any of his series’. Luckily however this Golden Key revival allows me a new and unique way to get introduced to the character. His world of Occult along with the TV angle really intrigued me and the way it subtly merged the rest of the Golden Key Universe was also very appealing.

The pace and overall tone that Mark Waid sets for this issue was amazing, as the energy and drama felt throughout each page really had me hooked. The dialogue and overall character development and interaction also has a lot to do with the tone of the issue, giving a smooth and suspenseful flow. Waid also shows the world of the Occult brilliantly as well as whether it was facing down a vampire or speaking to a little old spiritualist it really added tension and excitement to the issue as well as the odd bit of humour.

Neil Edwards‘ artwork on this issue was simply breathtaking. The charm and energy that he brought to the story through his amazing visuals was out of this world with the layouts and character expressions setting the tone for this series. Edwards also added a lot of intensity when it came to Spektor’s Occult activities with the vampire sequence near the start being very punchy. Despite all this the art wasn’t quite perfect as there was the rough spot every now and then. This however is a minor negativity that is way outweighed by the positives.

Doctor Spektor: Master of the Occult gets off to a stunning start, being Dynamite’s best Golden Key series début yet. Highly recommended.

OUR RATING
10
  • + Mark Waid opens this series on a massive high note.
  • + Terrific art from Neil Edwards that gives great tone to the story.
  • + A fabulous looking into the world of the Occult.
  • + Brings the Golden Key Universe together in a subtle way.

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