Let’s start by getting the cover event out of the way. Truth in advertising: Luke doesn’t throw a telephone pole, he throws a street light.
Not sure which is heavier, so I don’t know which is more impressive. But it does make for a damn cool cover.
Now, let’s move on to what makes this a very, very good issue. One of my favorites of all time.
Believe it or not, I’ve been searching for this book for years. It was formative for me, back when I was a wee teen, and I’ve quoted it many times since.
But it’s not because of the story, which is fine, or the cover, which is great. The dynamic duo take down Black Mariah and Scimitar.
The magic for me happened in a little interlude between DW Griffith, who is suicidal due to drug use and considering jumping off a bridge when a mysterious stranger tells him to savor his bad feelings, because they may be the worst feelings he ever has…
…Believe it or not, this works, and it worked on me. At the time, I was also a depressed kid with a problem, and I needed to know that sad feelings could be valued equally as joyful ones, and that things could always change to the point where I might miss those feelings, or need to call on them again.
I always thought this exchange took place in the pages of Dr. Strange, because the mysterious stranger seems to look (and sound) like Strange. But it turns out it was here all along. Cool.
Also in this issue, a brief appearance by one of Moon Knight’s alter egos, cabbie Jake Lockley.
It’s a good comic. I’d give it a B- overall. But because of sentimental reasons around that bridge scene, I’m giving it an A+. This is my site, so deal with it.
I also rated this one of the best single-issue stories of all time and one of the best Denny O’Neil comics of all time.