Review – Doctor Mirage #3 (Valiant Entertainment)

The Quest Begins in Doctor Mirage #3

What would you do if you found out you were trapped in hell, and that was the reason you could no longer commune with your dead husband’s ghost? Oh right, that’s not exactly a regular occurrence. But it is for Doctor Mirage. Get ready to follow along, as our leading lady has finally started to admit the truth in Doctor Mirage #3.

Doctor Mirage #3 begins our epic and surreal quest. In the last issue, we saw some of the truth behind what might just have gotten her here. Now, we’re hoping to learn more of the fact while also seeing her find a way home. Or at least, a way out of here.

Doctor Mirage has always been an emotional and fascinating series. But it feels like. Lately, they’ve been managing to up the ante. Perhaps that is thanks to their separation between Doctor Mirage and her husband. After all, fans are surely eager to see them find a way back together.

Writing

Magdalene Visaggio’s take on Doctor Mirage has been as surreal as it is brilliant. She’s taken the character to all new heights while also pushing her to the limits. It’s been a fascinating read, and we have yet to reveal the whole story.

In this issue, it feels like the quest has finally begun. She may not have entirely admitted the truth to herself, but at least she’s moving forward in the right direction. Or so we hope. Perhaps that is why this series has been so fascinating so far; we don’t yet know what is true and what is an illusion.

Doctor Mirage #3 is a surreal quest, weaving together different lore about life and death, all while leaving us wondering if what we’re seeing is real. It’s no wonder Doctor Mirage is so hesitant to believe; who can blame her?

No matter how you look at it, there’s no doubt that Doctor Mirage has found herself in the middle of a complicated mess. The real question is, how is she going to resolve it?

Art

Doctor Mirage #3 has perhaps some of my favorite artwork for the series, which is saying something. It’s vibrant and surreal, and it fits in perfectly with this sensation that we can’t trust what we’re being shown.

Nick Robles was the lead artist for this issue, and the landscape and characters he brought to life in this issue are…to put it simply, fascinating. They’re warped versions of gods and legends of the dead, and I just can’t stop looking at them.

Jordie Bellaire’s artwork only serves to heighten the artwork in this issue. The real sense of the surreal comes from the coloring, which is almost psychedelic. It certainly makes for an emotional issue! And it’s challenging to take your eyes off of.

Finally, Dave Sharpe did the lettering in this issue. And his work is the epitome of knowing how to be subtle and understated.

Conclusion

Doctor Mirage #3 was a surreal masterpiece. The artwork and the plot combined leave the reader unsure of the truth. And the result was something luminous and vibrant. I already can’t wait to get my hands on the next issue, and I know I’m not going to be alone in feeling that way.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.