Dr. Mirage: Second Lives #1 Discussion

[slack]

Wow. Great first issue back with this (these) character(s).

I like that stuff is still being cleaned up from the last mini, and that the warding keeps anyone from helping...

Killed ghosts? Damn.

This felt kind of like 90s Vertigo, in a very good way.

[Phoenix8008]

Yes! VERY good read. Very dense as well (in a good way like 'packed with content', not dense like 'stupid'). What a great start to the second story arc for Dr. Mirage. Very well written in setting out the aims of the characters and giving you a sense of where the story will take them in general terms. The spell they're searching for can make a ghost visable, hearable, and touchable, eh? I wonder if they'll have to switch places to pull it off - and end up like we saw in the BoD future glimpses where Hwen is sold and his wife is ghostly but visible and such? Great set up for a potential ongoing series later!

[grendeljd]

Crazy good week of new releases. Loved this issue!!

If anyone would like to hear our OTV:VCR podcast discussing/reviewing this issue (& Bloodshot:Reborn #9, and RAI #12), please follow the link;

http://onlythevaliant.com/episodes/vcr46/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to any who listen in

[jmatt]

I liked it but have to admit it was a little tough to sort out with all of the new characters.

[agent_graves]

I liked it but have to admit it was a little tough to sort out with all of the new characters.

I felt the same. Also, it was something about the art & coloring in some panels, that was off to me. With that being said, it was a very dense story (good thing Imo) that will require a few re-reads to really soak everything up. The foreshadowing in BOD, (possible role-reversal) ramps the suspense up, although, they might not pull the trigger on that particular concept just yet.

[tiredofmyself]

Do you guys have any tips on reading those magical language?

[grendeljd]

Do you guys have any tips on reading those magical language?

Do you mean the pictograph / hieroglyphs spoken by the spirit released from the scroll they opened in Barcelona? I talked about that in the VCR podcast episode I linked in my post above - I think they are either Egyptian or Summerian in origin. I did a fairly cursory search online about them, and between translating a few of the German phrases uttered by the cousin character who was getting a vision & cross referencing some possible symbol translations, I think there are some deliberate clues in all that dialogue.

This will sound like an odd, out of context statement on its own without all the other stuff I said on the show, but I think there will be some kind of Egyptian/Summerian godlike 'feathered woman' who travelled by boat in ancient times involved in this tale eventually... If it isn't already the evil spirit that was released.

[grendeljd]

I liked it but have to admit it was a little tough to sort out with all of the new characters.

I felt similarly after my first read through, there was a lot packed into the story for one issue - but it was immensely better the second time through. Also, I'm very glad there was so much there - I am definitely not complaining about the level of complexity or content in this book!

[BugsySig]

I thought it was fantastic. I like how Van Meter goes right into the supernatural/magic vocabulary without any additional exposition or call out boxes to explain them. This is the world the Mirages operate in. Deal with it. I liked that approach.

The art was terrific again. I really think this book (including the first mini) is on par with the best of VEI, Image, etc.

[tiredofmyself]

Do you guys have any tips on reading those magical language?

Do you mean the pictograph / hieroglyphs spoken by the spirit released from the scroll they opened in Barcelona? I talked about that in the VCR podcast episode I linked in my post above - I think they are either Egyptian or Summerian in origin. I did a fairly cursory search online about them, and between translating a few of the German phrases uttered by the cousin character who was getting a vision & cross referencing some possible symbol translations, I think there are some deliberate clues in all that dialogue.

This will sound like an odd, out of context statement on its own without all the other stuff I said on the show, but I think there will be some kind of Egyptian/Summerian godlike 'feathered woman' who travelled by boat in ancient times involved in this tale eventually... If it isn't already the evil spirit that was released.

Nah, I was talking about those spell names, scroll names etc.

[leonmallett]

A very satisfying start to the second mini series. Excellent writing and art for me, and everything flowed well, although a little strained by the large cast introduced in Barcelona (I liked the signposting of the city with La Sagrada Familia, a favourite building of mine).

Off to a great start IMHO.

[leonmallett]

Yes! VERY good read. Very dense as well (in a good way like 'packed with content', not dense like 'stupid').
...

Totally agreed with the story being a dense read - I felt I got value for my money, which does not always feel the case with comic books.

[grendeljd]

Do you guys have any tips on reading those magical language?

Do you mean the pictograph / hieroglyphs spoken by the spirit released from the scroll they opened in Barcelona? I talked about that in the VCR podcast episode I linked in my post above - I think they are either Egyptian or Summerian in origin. I did a fairly cursory search online about them, and between translating a few of the German phrases uttered by the cousin character who was getting a vision & cross referencing some possible symbol translations, I think there are some deliberate clues in all that dialogue.

This will sound like an odd, out of context statement on its own without all the other stuff I said on the show, but I think there will be some kind of Egyptian/Summerian godlike 'feathered woman' who travelled by boat in ancient times involved in this tale eventually... If it isn't already the evil spirit that was released.

Nah, I was talking about those spell names, scroll names etc.

Ah - well, I may be pointing out an obvious one here, but 'Vita Secunda' is basically Latin for 'Second Life'. I think for any other weird names mentioned, checking the words against Latin would be a good start.

Cousin Rudy, the clairvoyant in the story mentioned reverse-engineering an "Agrafacient" potion - I think it's fictional, but if you break down the word into Agra & Facient, you can determine the intent somewhat. Facient means 'something that causes a specified condition", and Agra has a few possibilities - it is the feminine form of agro in Spanish (referring to agriculture, I think), it translates from Sanskrit as "a measure of amplitude" &/or has some medical type of meaning, and it is also the name of the city where the Taj Mahal is located...

[blujay]

They have to do Ninjab now...no excuses

[cray_ws]

I thought it was fantastic. I like how Van Meter goes right into the supernatural/magic vocabulary without any additional exposition or call out boxes to explain them. This is the world the Mirages operate in. Deal with it. I liked that approach.

The art was terrific again. I really think this book (including the first mini) is on par with the best of VEI, Image, etc.

I agree. i find repetitive exposition to be a lazy form of writing. But Van Meter gives the reader some credibility by not over-explaining things. Her writing so much more sophisticated than others. I really wish she wrote more Valiant titles.

[Michael_Ayer]

I thought it was fantastic. I like how Van Meter goes right into the supernatural/magic vocabulary without any additional exposition or call out boxes to explain them. This is the world the Mirages operate in. Deal with it. I liked that approach.

The art was terrific again. I really think this book (including the first mini) is on par with the best of VEI, Image, etc.

I agree. i find repetitive exposition to be a lazy form of writing. But Van Meter gives the reader some credibility by not over-explaining things. Her writing so much more sophisticated than others. I really wish she wrote more Valiant titles.

Agreed!

[Captain Craig]

I also really enjoyed this opening issue for this volume. When others say 'dense' are you just saying "lots of exposition"? Cause if so I agree with you. I'm glad that each panel on each page had lots going on AND something that seemed worthwhile to make comments on for the characters. There have been a few issues from VEI whether it has been XO, Ninjak or Eternal Warrior where the panels/pages had such little going on that I almost felt cheated when I finished the book in 4-5minutes. A Bendis book at Marvel often feels that way.

Looking forward to the rest of this series!!

[cmixer]

And ... landed ...

[QUARTZ]

Damn guess I should grab this I was not sold on the whole concept but the art is stellar.

[eschnit]

Anyone know print run on the preview of Dr. Mirage 1 from the San Diego ComicCon? It's kinda cool.