Behold, the Bronze Age!

Mister Miracle #20. October 1977

Cover: Marshall Rogers, Managing Editor:  Joe Orlando

“Eclipse”

Writer: Steve Englehart, Penciler: Marshall Rogers, Inker: Terry Austin

Colorist: Liz Berube, Letterer: John Workman, Editor: Dennis O’Neil

From DC Wikia:

Mr. Miracle’s Mother Box grants him his last “miracles” — such as flight — and leaves. Meanwhile, Granny Goodness has kidnapped Big Barda and taken her to Earth’s Moon. Mr. Miracle and Oberon rescue her, but find that she has been conditioned, through torture, to believe that her husband is the enemy.

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The text page explains who Ilya Hunch was (the inker from the previous issue that was the secret name for Crusty Bunkers – Neal Adams’ stable of superb artists from his Continuity Studios.

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The story moves briskly with plenty of time for cosmic oddities from the Mother Box. An interesting theory is finally revealed – something that has bugged readers (well, me at least) for some time: why doesn’t Scott Free have powers like the other New Gods or Forever People?

After last issues tour-de-force, the artwork here is lacking a bit. Perhaps Rogers and Austin – who are otherwise infallible – are still feeling their way. Although some pages (such as the sequence where Mother Box speaks to Scott) are excellent – enough zip-tone shading to make Steranko jealous, some scenes are plain and flat. Maybe they were having an off month.

Still, good story, good art!

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About the author: Michael Curry is the author of the Brave & Bold: From Silent Knight to Dark Knight, The Day John F Kennedy Met the Beatles and the award-winning Abby’s Road, the Long and Winding Road to Adoption and How Facebook, Aquaman and Theodore Roosevelt Helped.  Check his website for more releases! Thanks for reading!