Written by Doug Moench
Art by Cam Kennedy; Agustin Mas; & Michele Wolfman
Cover Art by Mike Mignola
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Armed Against Evil,” it concludes a two-parter guest-starring Zatanna Zatara published by DC Comics for November 1987. Nefariously swiping Zatanna’s appendages (one by one), Wotan plans to sacrifice her living form, piece-meal, to escape his prison-like limbo. With Wotan possessing a depleted Zatanna, she attacks a surprised Madame Xanadu, only for the Spectre to intervene. Elsewhere, Jim Corrigan and homicide cop Pete Quarral escape from two demons attacking them on Wotan’s command.
Deducing that Zatanna’s late father, Zatara, is involved, the Spectre captures the two limb-stealing demons. Tracing Zatanna’s bizarre homicide-in-progress to Wotan, the Spectre confirms his foe’s mystical manipulations to steal her body and cross back into the mortal dimension.
Forced into a devil’s bargain with Wotan, the Spectre enables Zatara’s brief return amidst saving the legendary magician’s daughter. The question is: who reneges first – Wotan or the Spectre?
REVIEW:
The basic gist of writer Doug Moench’s Vertigo-ish macabre tale make some sense (i.e. when Wotan explains his nefarious scheme). Yet, too much mystical nonsense clutters Spectre # 8 to make it a worthwhile read. Initiating a template for Zatanna’s clichéd future storylines (i.e. emotional vulnerability re: her father’s demise), this intriguing twist is nearly ruined by a muddled script. Leaving a pivotal family reunion to the last few pages, Moench doesn’t capitalize on this poignant conclusion.
Even worse is that a nearly-disembodied Zatanna’s dubious contribution is her nude mannequin-like limbs being repeatedly displayed. This visual is more a tawdry distraction than a legitimate effort to incorporate Zatanna’s ghastly ordeal into the storyline.
Another plot element that gets lost is the Spectre’s moral ambiguity re: releasing Wotan back to Earth. For that matter, how Jim Corrigan’s personality affects the Spectre suggests an intriguing sub-plot, but Moench doesn’t do much with this idea. As for the visuals, the art team does fairly well (including the cover image). All the creative elements are at best lukewarm in the confusing Spectre # 8.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a two-page “Speculations” correspondence column. Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column appears on the inside front cover, along with a Millennium saga issue checklist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars
