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THE TWELVE #3

Marvel Comics

Straczynski,Weston & Leach 

Alright,anyone visiting this site regularly knows that,though I love the art in this series,I have not rated Straczynski’s story/script. 

Please take a deep breath. 

Ready? 

I actually liked some of the story. 

No,I did say “liked”.  And,”no” again,I am not on new medication. 

Although there was nothing greatly original about Mr E having hidden the fact that he was Jewish,and this has nothing to do with the Timely character,it was handled well.  The fact that Mister E’s 68-years-old son was tearing him down verbally was quite fun.  Though the fact that his wife lay ill in bed unable to communicate with him and that,on returning to The Twelves temporary home,he still insisted that all was fine was a bit sad. 

From being a straight forward DA-turned crime-smasher,we now have the Laughing Mask as a psychopath.  Not too original or surprising.  But come on –you go out wearing a mask and shoot criminals,that does not make you a psychopath. 

Oh 

I really enjoyed the inter-play between The Black Widow [ooh,the later scenes were pure classic Marvel horror comics!] and Jack Castle [the Fiery Mask] were nice and I loved Castle discussing his pay rate as a newspaperman;”…about fifteen dollars a column” –very high in the early 1940s but now nothing! 

If –if- the series continues like this it will not be a total loss story-wise.  I’m actually looking forward to no.4!