Reviewer: Tim Sheridan
Story Title: Stranger in Paradise
Writer: Bruce Jones
Pencils: Eddy Barrows
Inks: Jay Leisten
Letters: Nick J Napolitano
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Story Title: If a Man Be Clay!
Script: Steve Purcell
Pencils: Mike Mignola
Inks: Kevin Nowlan
Letters: John Workman
Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Profile pages written by: Anderson Gabrych
Art by: Various
Editors: Ivan Cohen and Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
I gave up a while ago on expecting something great from the Secret Files series from DC. Now, every once in a while, there will be a story filled in, like in last year’s Titans/Outsiders issue, or a really worthwile story, like in last month’s Green Lantern one. But for the most part, it’s a place-filler, or an issue where those who have lapsed in readership catch up.
That’s what this one is too, but it’s not very entertaining. So, for me, and probably for most who will read it, it’s not only boring, but it’s redundant.
The main story is bascially Black Mask telling (us) a co-worker who the villians are in Gotham, but in an entierly expository manner. This, perhaps, would have been better done if it were more involving, but, sadly, it’s not. It’s basically Black Mask giving many speeches.
What is nice is the charactization that is given to Black Mask. Bruce Jones writes a very evil Mask, and very sadistic. But that is not enough to carry this lead story.
The secondary story is apparently a “lost” Clayface tale, with art by Mike Mignola and Kevin Nowlan. Now, the art is very impressive, but the story is just a little odd. The writing seems incredibly out of date, and unnecessarily hokey.
The profile pages of all the villians are great looking, the highlight being the Killer Croc pic, with art by Ramon Bachs, and Gabrych gives some hints in the text as to what is next for Batman.
