Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #5

Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #5
Marvel Comics
(w) Rick Remender
(a) Jefte Palo
FC 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99 US / Higher in Canada

Well that was a short run. Before the series had a chance to start rolling, Marvel has canceled it. It lasted a whopping five issues. It’s not a bad comic but there was no interest in it. Maybe Marvel should have tried it out as a miniseries before making it an ongoing.

This issue wraps up the Nightmare story arc. After Doctor Voodoo’s fight with Doctor Doom in issue 1, Voodoo accidentally let Nightmare out in issue #2. He naturally attacked the Earth again. And yet again Nightmare ensnared the world in dreams and nightmares. Last issue Doctor Voodoo finally came to his senses and had joined forces with Doom to defeat Nightmare. This issue is just wrap up.

This series really didn’t get much of a chance. I certainly enjoy Voodoo as a character but I’m not sure when he will be making another appearance. Certainly not in another solo series. His only other option is to guest star in someone else’s title with the sole purpose of helping out some bigger named hero out of some supernatural trouble. Oh well. Maybe Remender can find the time now to work on some Fear Agent. (Shane Hnetka)

Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #1

Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #1
Marvel Comics
(w) Rick Remender
(a) Jefte Palo
FC 32 pgs w/ ads, $3.99 US / Higher in Canada

This seems like a weird character for Marvel to just out of the blue give an ongoing series to but that’s exactly what Marvel has done. The newly appointed Sorcerer Supreme – Doctor Voodoo has gotten an brand spanking new ongoing series with Rick Remender (Fear Agent, End League, Punisher) at the helm.

Following the events of New Avengers #53 and #54 – the issue starts with Voodoo traveling to the Dark Dimension to finish kicking Dormammu’s ass while he’s down. Voodoo follows that up with some quick tutoring from Dr. Strange and then it’s off to the clinic that he has been running in New Orleans to help the needy and to fight Dr. Doom. That’s a lot to do in one day and it’s starting to wear the new Sorcerer Supreme a little thin.

Remender starts this first issue off with not one but two big fights for Doctor Voodoo. I’m not too familiar with Brother Voodoo – he has never had an ongoing title and has spent most of the last few decades randomly guest starring in various Marvel titles. But Remender quickly shows in this issue who he is and that he deserves the title of Sorcerer Supreme despite what most people might think – including Dr. Doom and Dormammu just to name a few. Jefte Palo’s art is alright – it’s a little sketchy and light on the backgrounds but he shows the magic and action clearly enough. I don’t know how long this series will last – there doesn’t seem to be a lot of demand for it but it’s off to a good start and Remender is a heck of writer. Perhaps word of mouth might make this series last longer than the twelve issues most new series seem to last these days. (Shane Hnetka)