A review by dinipandareads
Doctor Mirage by Magdalene Visaggio
4.0
I admit to requesting this book based solely on the cover alone. The name "Doctor Mirage" rang a small bell but I actually haven't read superhero comics, so I can't speak to how differently or how well her character is portrayed in this new comic compared to previous ones. I will say that I enjoyed the story though!
I loved the illustration style and the color palette of the comic. The artwork has a modernised vintage feel to it that reminds me of all the superhero comics that I never read but always see. The funky neon colors used to depict the landscape of this otherworld hell was like an acid trip and fit the surreal storyline perfectly. I also really loved the issue covers!
Shan Fong or as she's more famously known as Doctor Mirage used to be able to see and speak to the dead, until one day those powers disappeared and with it her ability to see and speak to her husband, Hwen. After another failed attempt to gain access to her powers, a young girl named Grace "lands" on her doorstep claiming that she's been sent by Hwen to tell Shan that she's dead. What follows is a wild adventure into hell, mixed with flashbacks of what led to Shan's death. While I enjoyed the storyline, I do wish that more of the backstory and the Egyptian lore, of which there was a lot, was more thoroughly explained. I know this is a comic and it can't go into as much detail compared to if this was a novel, but it felt kind of disjointed at times--especially when transitioning from the past to present. For example, there were some allusions to events that happened before when Shan faces "The Embalmer" in battle but we never really got into those details in the flashbacks either.
There's obviously going to be a continuation to the story because of the semi-cliffhanger of an ending, but reading this as a 'standalone' also works because the main storyline of Shan coming to terms with her inability to see or speak to Hwen and the other spirits. I'm curious to see more of the connection between the Embalmer and Shan's storylines, as well as how Grace became involved in the story, so I would definitely pick up the continuation of this series when it becomes available!
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Books Distributor/Valiant Entertainment for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This comic is out on 18 February 2020.
I loved the illustration style and the color palette of the comic. The artwork has a modernised vintage feel to it that reminds me of all the superhero comics that I never read but always see. The funky neon colors used to depict the landscape of this otherworld hell was like an acid trip and fit the surreal storyline perfectly. I also really loved the issue covers!
Shan Fong or as she's more famously known as Doctor Mirage used to be able to see and speak to the dead, until one day those powers disappeared and with it her ability to see and speak to her husband, Hwen. After another failed attempt to gain access to her powers, a young girl named Grace "lands" on her doorstep claiming that she's been sent by Hwen to tell Shan that she's dead. What follows is a wild adventure into hell, mixed with flashbacks of what led to Shan's death. While I enjoyed the storyline, I do wish that more of the backstory and the Egyptian lore, of which there was a lot, was more thoroughly explained. I know this is a comic and it can't go into as much detail compared to if this was a novel, but it felt kind of disjointed at times--especially when transitioning from the past to present. For example, there were some allusions to events that happened before when Shan faces "The Embalmer" in battle but we never really got into those details in the flashbacks either.
There's obviously going to be a continuation to the story because of the semi-cliffhanger of an ending, but reading this as a 'standalone' also works because the main storyline of Shan coming to terms with her inability to see or speak to Hwen and the other spirits. I'm curious to see more of the connection between the Embalmer and Shan's storylines, as well as how Grace became involved in the story, so I would definitely pick up the continuation of this series when it becomes available!
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Books Distributor/Valiant Entertainment for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This comic is out on 18 February 2020.