Tag Archives: seven soldiers: mister miracle

Review: Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #4 (of 4)

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Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #4 (of 4)

There’s always the road not taken which perplexes most of us. Choices govern our every day, and most of us worry if we made the right one. We tend to rely on context, intelligence and intuition, to make these decisions. Often one betrays the other, which makes us question it all, leaving us both maddened and feeling inferior.

Things are a bit more stacked when it comes to life or death. This becomes even more treacherous when it comes to super-powered individuals. In the final issue of Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, we find the titular hero facing the one trap that may lead to fatal consequences.

We find Shilo enjoying a normal life, with his wife and daughter, as something that quite seems right and he starts to question everything. As we find out Shilo has been holding guilt for his brother’s death and how it has shaped his actions and made him a superhero. The reader soon realizes that Darkside has sent him to the Life Trap, to pull his MotherBoxx away from him. By issue’s end, Shilo defeats Omega and escapes the Life Trap, as he finally makes peace with his past sins

Overall, an issue cements Grant Morrison as one of the world’s best storytellers. The story by Morrison is thrilling. The art by Pasqual Ferry is remarkable. Altogether, a story that shows why this intriguing hero was brought back for another run.

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Pasqual Ferry
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1 (of 4)

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Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1

When it comes to superheroes, there are none more precocious than Iron Man, and more specifically Tony Stark. As he’s a bit of a showboat but more importantly, one of the best natural leaders that the Avengers ever had. This is why his presence throughout the Marvel movies was more than a staple, but a cornerstone of what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, it was no surprise, when they finally killed off the character, the whole world had a collective pause.

The DC Cinematic Universe has not had much luck, but its comics have grown a kinship to its readers. One such character is Mister Miracle, as the current run has made believers of everyone who has read this new run by Mitch Gerads.  Of course, many creators have had their hands on this character, most notably Grant Morrison.  In the early 2000 run of Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, we find the titular hero in the limelight in the first issue.

We meet Shilo Norman, who inhabits Mister Miracle in this story, as he uses his abilities as a showman, even a magician like David Blaine which catches the attention of Ultimate Being. As his antics have only made the public openly question the reason for superheroes and Darkseid is waging a war where he is capturing New Gods and  Shilo has the best chance to save them. As he contemplates his next move, he wonders if he has strayed too far from what he used to be and has he become he doesn’t like. By issue’s end, an old friend visits to recruit him, not before he pushes a test of wills on Shilo.

Overall, an evenly paced but well-told story of a reluctant hero, when he cannot find the will to fight for good alone. The story by Morrison is electric and thought-provoking. The art by Pasqual Ferry is incredible. Altogether, a story with much promise that looks to show the intricacies of being super powered.

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Pasqual Ferry
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #3 (of 4)

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Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #3 (of 4)

Life usually occurs in waves and not in single drops of water. It’s truly an event of feast or famine. Either everything is going well or nothing is at all. We all have experienced it at one time or another and we can only endure and let it pass.

Take the events of today, where a worldwide pandemic has occurred, and the true mettle of leaders are severely tested. Each of them must consider an appropriate response while keeping in mind the lives of millions. Any short-sightedness is also exposed and leaves traces of loss of faith. In the early 2000 run of Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, we find the titular hero fighting multiple battles and his faith in himself may be the only thing that brings him through in the third issue.

Meet Baron Bedlam, a new escape artist whose talents look to grab some of Shilo’s audience and whose current spectacle is of a staged fighter plane dogfight in an effort to defend foreign enemies from destroying the Statue of Liberty. As Shilo tries to figure out Bedlam, he is also dealing with his daughter’s new friends who are more dangerous than she knows and whom Shilo senses aren’t good for her. As Shilo confronts Bedlam, he soon realizes that he is part of the cloning program, one orchestrated by Darkside and whose considerable powers and influence have put him into position to making everyone forget about Mister Miracle. By issue’s end, Darkside has left Shilo for dead, as his grand plan for the city is put into play, leaving the city and world at risk.

Overall, an issue that is more psychological than your usual superhero fare, which shows the world why Grant Morrison is one of the world’s best storytellers. The story by Morrison is exhilarating and well developed. The art by Pasqual Ferry is impressive. Altogether, an installment that gives readers another story to which to celebrate this excellent and undersung hero.

Purchase: comiXology

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Pasqual Ferry
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

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Review: Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #2 (of 4)

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Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #2

As a child of the 80s, there is a fair amount of cheesy pop culture that I enjoyed. Looking back on it, my childhood memories feel a bit magical now. We see echoes of it on shows like The Goldbergs. Truthfully, looking at how popular culture is now, it’s more corporate than fanfare. Everyone looks to monetize fan culture as can be seen by the influx of non-comic book properties holding panels at SDCC. Which is why when I look back at that time, it is often with a smile.

One of those pop culture beacons that I often watch every few years is Clash Of The Titans starring a young Harry Hamlin, an older Laurence Olivier, and with the last visual effects that Ray Harryhausen would ever do for a film. To today’s movie audience, the effects would look crude and the actors, may be even perceived as pompous, but the movie as a whole still stands up. From the acting to the special effects and more, the story itself is what made that movie, a classic action-adventure.  In the early 2000 run of Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, we find the titular hero running in his own trials much like Perseus in the second issue.

We find Shilo Norman, as Metron tests his abilities, through a series of trials, the first one being a Driveby Derby. As Apokolips sends his man-eating cars in the first trial, it keeps Shilo on his toes, to say the least, dodging each car by the skin of his teeth. As Shilo tries to figure out how to survive the trials Metron and Apokolips, argue over Shilo’s importance to winning the war against Darkseid, as his possession of Motherboxx is central to victory. By issue’s end, an enemy in plain view shows their true colors and the much more insidious plot goes into play.

Overall, an issue which plays out like a very careful Chess game one move at a time. The story by Grant Morrison is exciting and well characterized. The art by Pasqual Ferry is superb. Altogether, an installment that unpacks a lot in its abbreviated 22 pages, and gives readers, those beautiful twists Morrison is known for.

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Pasqual Ferry
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy