With a recent slew of old titles being brought back to tie into Blackest Night, you’re probably wondering if they are really worth picking up. And let me tell you, The Question number thirty seven is definitely worth the purchase.
The Question number thirty seven sees the return of legendary Question writer Denny O’ Neil, who co-writes the issue with the great Greg Rucka. Both known for their previous work on the Question title. The issue also sees the return of former series artist, Denys Cowan. If you are a fan of Vic Sage and the previous work on the Question, this issue is definitely for you. While Sage returns as a Black Lantern, the issue doesn’t feel like it is a part of Blackest Night, but rather a closing chapter on the previous work.
The plot of the issue is fairly straight forward. The issue opens with a brief recap of the eventual death of Vic Sage (the original Question). We then learn that due to the recent events of Blackest Night, Professor Rodor, also known as “Tot”, is attempting to revive Sage with the use of a black ring. Rodor is doing because he wants to know the answers that separate life from death. Meanwhile, Lady Shiva appears and challenges Renee to a fight. While the two are knee deep in combat, Sage rises from the dead as a Black Lantern. When Lady Shiva and Renee are confronted by Sage, we learn that Shiva actually came because she was expecting this. While Tot is trying to get answers from Sage, the two women are set out to destroy him. They eventually learn how to defeat the lantern; Shiva realizes that Sage can only see them through their feelings, so to speak. She tells Renee to keep herself from feeling anything and they will become invisible to Sage. Shiva, Renee, and Tot are able to remain composed and Sage eventually exits. The issue ends with Renee suiting up in her Question outfit, and making her way after the Black Lantern Vic Sage.
First of all, I thought the pairing of the two writers, who have such tremendous respect for the character, was an excellent move on DC’s part. I think the core concepts from the original series are all here. I also thought that having Lady Shiva appear was a real plus. This provided the issue with some of the important characters to arrive and allowed for more action to occur within the panels. I thought the story was very original and I felt like I wasn’t reading a Blackest Night tie-in, which I think is the real secret to making a tie-in successful.
O’Neil and Rucka do a superb job as usual, but the real treat of the issue is being able to Denys Cowan pencil a Question issue once again. Cowan really brought the book to life originally with his grim and somewhat gritty style. In this issue, it is no different. He remains sharp as ever when penciling the fast-paced fight sequences that were always wonderful to look at. This issue also features Bill Sienkiewicz doing the inks. With the two teaming up, we are brought back to the dark and violent panels that made the Question what it was in the past.
Overall, a wonderful issue that made me come to a realization. I realized that the Question co-feature in the back of Detective Comics really isn’t that good. This issue reminded me of what the Question should always be. The Question should always be about strong characterizations and almost hopeless storylines. With well paced and sharp dialogue, terrific artwork, issue number thirty seven is a real knockout.
The Question #37:
Reviewed by Zfactor
