Review – Doctor Mirage #4 (Valiant Entertainment)

The Unpredictable Nature of Being Dead in Doctor Mirage #4

Doctor Mirage has been a harrowing yet brilliant series. And Doctor Mirage #4 continues that trend – being utterly unafraid in regards to pulling punches. This is a quest that exposes our beloved characters’ souls (and secrets), all while making her doubt everything that she sees.

The latest round of Mirage’s series has been a warped and psychedelic retelling of Dante’s Inferno. With a teenage girl guiding Virgil, Doctor Mirage has to find her way out of hell. Only, nothing is quite as it seems, now is it?

This series is perfect for fans of Doctor Mirage. But it’s also perfect for anybody looking on a strange and disturbing take on what the underworld could possibly look like. The entire series has featured some genuinely mind-blowing artwork to support the journey that Mirage has been forced to undertake.

Writing

Doctor Mirage #4 was an issue unafraid to take some risks. In that sense, it was a perfect fit with the rest of the series. Mirage has gone through hell (no pun intended) these last few issues. And yet, it’s clear that she has only begun to see the depth of the danger that she is in.

Magdalene Visaggio has done an excellent job of writing a complex and elegant series thus far. There are obvious comparisons between Shan (Mirage) and Dante, Grace, and Virgil. But there are also so many unique and surprising twists as well.

The blend of the expected and unexpected has resulted in a unique reading experience-one that is truly memorable. And okay, it’s also more than a little bit nerve-wracking to read, as fans find themselves concerned about the fate of Mirage.

The series has been in a constant pattern. It’ll answer questions but then raise even more along the way. It’s kept the reader invested, giving us just enough to go on while leaving us desperate to see more. And yes, Doctor Mirage #4 continues that pattern.

Art

The artwork behind Doctor Mirage #4 is breathtaking. It combines the surreal elements we’ve come to expect from this series with heavy folklore imagery. It also somehow managed to increase the psychedelic feeling at times – which didn’t seem possible before this moment.

Nick Robles (artist) and Jodie Bellaire (colorist) are a fantastic team. Their artwork has been larger than life in this series, as it throws Shan and Grace from one crazy set of circumstances to the next. Not only are the scenes dramatic, but the characters are so infused with emotion. It’s a powerful series, through and through.

And let’s not forget the work of the letterer, Dave Sharpe. His work is the icing on the cake in this issue. Given everything that is going on within these pages, having a solid letterer was genuinely vital.

Conclusion

Doctor Mirage #4 was a terrifying, moving, and powerful issue. It upped the ante, putting Doctor Mirage into even more significant risks, all while slowly revealing the truth of the world she is trapped in. It’s been a whirlwind of an adventure, and there is still more left to this tale.

I honestly can’t wait for the next issue in the series to come out. This has quickly become one of the more addictive reads out there. If you haven’t been reading along, I strongly urge you to go out and give them a try.

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.