Written by John Byrne
Art by John Byrne; Bob Wiacek; Glynis Oliver; & Jim Novak
Cover Art by John Byrne
SUMMARY:
Entitled “The World’s Greatest Detective!,” Marvel Comics published this issue for mid-November 1989. Catching a fast ride across the galaxy back home to New York City, Jennifer Walters eagerly takes on an Australian serial killer case for her boss, District Attorney Blake Tower. Offering enigmatic help confirming the accused’s guilt, a magical dwarf calling himself Nick St. Christopher keeps cutting corners in Jen’s investigation. Despite Jen’s growing suspicions (and Tower’s skepticism), she decides to play Nick’s game, for the sake of justice.
Note: As a Golden Age homage, the issue includes Louise Mason (the ex-Blonde Phantom) as Jen’s reliable secretary.
REVIEW:
Mixing Santa Claus-as-amateur-detective with a serial killer sub-plot sounds like a bad idea, but writer-artist John Byrne almost pulls this one-shot tale off. While his artwork (including the cover image) is excellent, Byrne’s wonky scripting is more a mixed bag. Leaving the serial killer’s crimes generically vague (likely for the best), Byrne’s focus is making his script cuter than it really merits.
Part of this detriment is She-Hulk repeatedly breaking ‘the fourth wall,’ which this particular Byrne series is famous for. Once or twice relying on in-jokes is fine, but Byrne’s creative control overplays this gimmick to the point that it just becomes annoying. Also, this Santa-like character isn’t as endearing as one might hope for, though the last few pages are amusing.
Sensational She-Hulk # 8 most likely would have been a better read, had Byrne paired his sitcom-y plot stylings with, say, an ultra-smug thief getting his deserved comeuppance vs. a less-than-humorous send-up of a psychotic criminal. Still, for all its merits, this issue is good enough to keep in any Marvel collection.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes a profile on Marvel staff editor Margaret Clark. ‘She-Hulk’ answers her fan mail in a single-page “She-Mail” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
