Doctor Mirage #4 features the first appearance of a terrifying new villain! Enter… the Embalmer! Will Doctor Mirage escape the clutches of the terrifying Embalmer, and return to the land of the living? Danger lurks around every corner in this mind-bending ride by Eisner-nominated writer Magdalene Visaggio and astounding artist Nick Robles! It’s the must-read supernatural mystery of 2019!

Doctor Mirage #4 has a wonderful dichotomy to it, and I genuinely can’t get enough of the comic. Vissaggio’s story has very real-world and relatable relationship/s at its core. It’s easy to miss just how grounded that area of the comic is when you have an artistic approach from Robles and colourist Jordie Bellaire that is straight out of a psychedelic journey. It’s a combination that works very well for the character and the nature of the story. I find myself already wanting this creative team to tackle either Doctor Mirage again, or one of Valiant’s other supernatural characters.

Although this isn’t going to be a book that everyone enjoys as fully as I have (tastes differ and all), it’s another series that Valiant are currently publishing that I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I have been. Typically I tend to stay away from anything not grounded on earth. The supernatural and science fiction parts of my collection are pretty sparse. What I’ve learned, and perhaps taken far too long in doing so, is that the setting doesn’t necessarily dictate the quality or thematic approach of the writer and artist/s. Doctor Mirage #4 is a reminder to me not to write a story off before I’ve given it a fair chance. Really, I’m too old to have to be reminded of that, but here we are.

I’ve stayed away from discussing the plot as a whole so far. It’s relatively hard to explain without really giving anything away. Especially in a form that will do justice to Vissaggio’s vision with resorting to broad generalities. Which is also unfair to you, if you’re still on the fence about the comic. This issue finds Doctor Mirage and her young companion on the run from the denizens of the Deadside as they try to escape back to “our” plane of existence. Denizens who aren’t exactly friendly. In the midst of the running, there’s the odd moment of peace. It allows you to deepen your connection to the characters and the story itself.

Vissaggio’s pacing has been great throughout the book. As the penultimate issue in the series, she’s set this book up for a wonderful finale. I can’t wait.

Story: Magdalene Visaggio Art: Nick Robles Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Doctor Mirage’s mind-bending mystery to the other side leads her to a frightening new foe in Doctor Mirage #3! How death-defying is Doctor Mirage?

The issue features the first appearance of a terrifying new villain! Enter… the Embalmer!

I’ve never sampled LSD, or other mind-altering drugs of the psychedelic variety. I imagine that if I had then I would find the visuals in this book very familiar. Nick Robles and Jordie Bellaire combine for some of the most colorful and interesting pages I’ve seen in some time. They’re bright, hallucinogenic images that catch the eye and imagination as the comic moves forward in a visual feast.

Mags Vissaggio‘s story balances out the visuals with a strongly grounded story. It keeps the reader’s feet on the ground whilst their mind soars with the visuals through a story that retains the excellent pacing shown in the first two issues. Doctor Mirage #3 focuses on the titular character’s quest to find her missing husband and to discover whether she’s actually dead or not. It also introduces a new character, Embalmer. I’m certainly curious to read more about the Embalmer in future issues – whether in this comic or other Valiant comics. There’s the right level of sinister creepiness flowing from the character. That makes it a perfect fit for the supernatural mindfuckery of this comic.

I’ve loved literally every page of this series so far. While I’ve been reviewing them based on a review pdf, it’s the physical comic that shines so well. I say this because I have also been buying the series, in part because I wanted to see the art without a watermark on it and in part, because I will always try to buy the books I enjoy in order to support the series.

And this is a book I enjoy.

Story: Magdalene Visaggio Art: Nick Robles Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Death was no obstacle for Doctor Mirage, who could speak to the departed. But what happens if she’s one of the deceased? In Doctor Mirage #2, her new ally, Grace, claims to be in the same dead boat. Can you really trust someone so young and inexperienced?

How did Doctor Mirage end up in this spot? Find out here!

Sometimes it’s the subtle things about a comic that make your jaw drop. Sometimes it’s the most visibly obvious things like Jordie Bellaire‘s trippy yet utterly appropriate coloring work that lays upon Nick Robles art like a Picasso painting. This comic is a visual mindfuck from beginning to end, and I absolutely love every minute of it. Or panel, I suppose. It feels like what life would have been like in the sixties as the Beatles reached their most hallucinogenic phase. I bloody love it.

Mags Vissaggio‘s story is strangely grounded despite the supernatural core and the incredibly exciting visuals, but it’s a balance that’s needed. Too often you read things trying to be edgy, experimental and all of that. But, they don’t quite cut the mustard. Doctor Mirage #1 cuts with ease because the artistic vision is a fully complete one. Where the art is off the walls in a fantastic way, the story remains very easy to follow. I’d love to know if the imagery in the comic was what Vissaggio pictured when putting pen to paper.

The recap explaining how Doctor Mirage ended up in the afterlife tugs a little at the heartstrings. It’s reinforced by Robles’ art in a gut wrenching panel as the explanation comes to its close. Vissaggio continues to employ the director-like framing for the narration. With the effect being employed to certain parts of the story, it remains an unequivocal success for me. Both as a harsh reality check, a throwback to the character’s television show, and to highlight the scenes in which the writer uses the technique.

Doctor Mirage #1 was a wonderful experience. Doctor Mirage #2 is every bit as wonderful, and doubles down on the direction of the miniseries. I already want Vissaggio to write more Doctor Mirage, and this series isn’t over yet.

Quite possibly one of the most exciting things on the shelves today – I urge you to check this out.

Story: Magdalene Visaggio Art: Nick Robles Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Kicking off in Doctor Mirage #1, how do you solve the case of your own death?

Paranormal expert Doctor Shan Fong Mirage was born with the ability to see and speak to the dead. It’s an ability that has mysteriously stopped working. Have her powers failed or is something far more sinister at work?

Will she figure out her fate and the fate of the one she loves the most? Valiant’s gripping supernatural mystery starts here!

I’ve been looking forward to the first issue of this five issue miniseries ever since it was announced. For reasons unknown to me, it’s the first comic written by Magdalene Visaggio I have knowingly read. I say that because there’s a chance I’ve read her stuff without knowing it. I’ve heard great things about her writing style. I was looking forward to seeing her take on Doctor Mirage. Mirage is a character with whom I’ve been getting more acquainted with after her appearances in other Valiant books recently.

Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed with the story in this comic (or the art, but more on that later). Far from it in, fact.

Visaggio employs a really interesting voiceover/narration box style in the comic that’s a fun throwback for the fans that are more familiar with Dr. Mirage’s reality show, but also works very well within the confines of this issue for those reading a comic about the character for the first time. The story itself throws an interesting twist on Dr. Mirage’s supernatural adventures. She starts out in a different set of circumstances than we’re used to seeing. She’s powerless for one reason or another. The answer is given within this comic, but I won’t be telling you what it is here. The comic sets the stage for what’s to come.

Joining Visaggio for the comic is Nick Robles and Jordie Bellaire (art and colors respectively). Without really getting into discussing the art too much (you’ll understand why when you read this – and read this you absolutely should), I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect visualization of the story. Everything about the art in this comic is nigh on perfect. The layouts, the color and lack thereof in certain places… it’s great.

As a combined effort, Doctor Mirage #1 is a wonderful experience.

Whether this is your first time reading a Doctor Mirage or you’re returning to the character then you’re going to find a very compelling story. The creative team have delivered far above what I was expecting from the comic; in a week with some great reads hitting the racks, this is one that may get missed by too many people. Which is a shame because it’s one of the best that I’ve read so far.

Story: Magdalene Visaggio Art: Nick Robles Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Story: 9.1 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review