State of the Multiverse 46

Friday, Dec. 18 2009 | Author: darrren

Doctor Voodoo 03

Leading up to the Christmas break, my thoughts have turned to considering what for me have been the best events and titles of the year.

Booster Gold was a character and title I really enjoyed the first time around, and throwing Rip Hunter into the mix has only increased his appeal. Especially with the recent revelation that Booster is Rip’s father (assuming of course that Rip is not just saying that for the benefit of some unknown observer). One thing I like is that DC have finally done away with the ‘you can’t change time’ rule, leading Booster into a series of‘What If?’ environments.

The onward march of the Marvel Cosmic, with the conclusion of the War Of Kings and the beginning of the Realm Of Kings, with the added Chthonic elements is somethng I have written about already. The focus on the Starjammers (favourite characters of mine), and the new Guardians of the Galaxy has certainly kept me satisfied. Long may Dan Abnett keep churning this out.

The return of the New Mutants and especially Illyana Rasputin is another hark back to my teenage years, and I eagerly await whatever Illyana’s demonic agenda will be, because we all know she has one. She’s hardly what one would call a redeemed character.

I’m sure I may have mentioned all the zombies in the past, oh, and the X-Babies (which rather redeemed itself in its latest issue), but my award for Best New Series of the Year has to be Doctor Voodoo, Avenger Of The Supernatural. Jericho Drumm (formerly Brother Voodoo) is a character who has simply not had enough exposure, and creating the post of Houngan Supreme was a beautiful touch. The mythos of the Vodou and the Loa are a fertile field to grow stories from, and I hope we see lots more of it, but with the backdrop of the general Marvel Universe, Jericho should have plenty to keep him busy. His first battle with Nightmare, unfolding in the early issues of his title, with the added ingredient of Doctor Doom is masterfully played, and should cement his place in the Marvel mystical hierarchy.

If you haven’t read his title yet, give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.