Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Joe Fonteriz; Bambos Georgiou; John Stokes; Martin Griffiths; Pat Prentice; & Helen Stone
Cover Art by Joe Fonteriz
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Trade Secrets!” the finale of this four-part mini-series was published by Marvel Comics for September 1995. In downtown London, rookie masked hero Nocturne holds his own against Yi Yang’s thugs until a brute named Hatemare subdues him. Held captive, Nocturne refuses to turn over the mystical ‘looking glass’ to Yi Yang. Desperate for answers, Nocturne’s spirit visits his late predecessor (aka ‘The Night Raven’) in 1951 to finally learn some vital clues. In the present-day, scantily-clad dominatrix vampire, Mischief, tries rescuing her new ally from Yang’s houseboat. With the identity of the monstrous Hatemare revealed, an explosive confrontation decides if Nocturne might return for future adventures.
REVIEW:
Though the artwork is solid (i.e. the great cover), writer Dan Abnett’s dialogue treads Nocturne’s attitude too close to Spider-Man’s wise-cracking persona. The character’s fun interaction with the original Night Raven, plus a sense of Golden Age-style adventure, compensates with the right touches of originality. The ridiculous Mischief, however, is this comic’s sole detriment, as her gaudy stripper outfit belongs in a porno film. Even so, Abnett’s storyline delivers a satisfying-enough finish. It’s a shame, though that the reliance on Mischief’s sex appeal factor sabotages Nocturne # 4 as super-hero noir.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a single page providing synopses and a few cover reveals for Marvel comics on sale for that week.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
