Let's fix that, because I'm in the mood for some olde-tyme spell-casting and magicking!!
So, take it away, Fate:
These panels are from More Fun Comics #73 (1941). It seems I was a couple of issues to late; the indexer at GCDB says "The series takes a pretty strong change in direction at this point, as Dr. Fate acts as a traditional super-hero, punching and wisecracking, rather than spouting on about matter and energy and astral planes and such."
Look, Golden Age Doctor Fate--if I wanted a punching, wisecracking hero, I can get plenty here in 2012. I want some olde-tyme magic!!!
Sigh.
Still, many a Dr. Strange story would be enlivened by punching and wise-cracking, so maybe Gardner Fox et. al. were on to something...
And yet, I did like half-mask Dr. Fate in All-Star Squadron, which Roy Thomas explained as Nelson Kent getting fearful about the Helmet of Nabu possessing him. It got me to understand who he was under the helm and better appreciate full-helmet Dr. Fate as a character.
ReplyDeleteBut it WAS a bizarre decision at the time. Maybe mystical heroes stopped selling, or creative teams didn't have the imagination to do more than play him as just another streetfighter in tights.
The more I look at those panels, the more I think he was speaking very very very slowy .
ReplyDeleteThe same must be said of anyone quipping so furiously during a fight...
ReplyDeleteThe gangster in that last panel is exhibiting admirable sangfroid, pluckily engaging in badinage as he apparently plummets to his death.
ReplyDelete