Action Lab Entertainment 2014
Written by John Reilly
Illustrated by Tom Rogers
Coloured & Lettered by Dexter Weeks
Howard’s ex-wife Sonia Greene steps up to the plate. In Vienna, the cult presents Adolf with an opportunity to finally make something of himself. Einstein goes head-to-head with Edison. Twain gets Tesla out of a hole. Houdini and Howard are invited to a very special wedding.
This is the perfect example of why I love Action Lab and their all-ages line of books. This takes some of the most famous and interesting men in our nation’s history and brings them back to life in ways that are accessible and fun. It also hopefully sparks something in younger readers, well all readers really, that will have them look them up and learn about their real life accomplishments and understand how important they are to how we live our lives today. Looking back is instrumental to moving forward and for me this makes me want to revisit these great men.
Have to say I do like the way Babe Ruth is portrayed here as he stresses over his missing bat. One if readers pay attention to they’ll see play an important part of this story. The whole likeness and seeing Yankee Stadium the way that Tom and Dexter present it to us is wonderful. It’s got just enough of that detail it needs and yet it has this cartoon quality to it as well. Actually the way the bring this to life it would make an excellent animated television episodic series.
John packs a lot of stuff into this issue and I appreciate that it doesn’t feel rushed or as if I’m overwhelmed by too much information. Sonia being attacked was interesting and her past relationship with Howard has taught her how to handle herself. Again the creativity in seeing what she fights and how she defeats them showcases the imagination that Tom has and it’s great to see.
With Adolph being used by the Herald as a pawn to further their own agenda well we’ll see how that plays out for them all. I do find it interesting and it does wonders in explaining why Adolph had so much interest in the occult when he was the mad despot. From there we move to seeing Albert Einstein as a young man and being given a chance to work on a design. One that i’m going to say has a more nefarious purpose than he realises.
Sam Clemens, Tesla, Lovecraft and Houdini all make their appearances here and to think that these men all ran around in the same circles really boggles the mind and is as thrilling as it comes. I mean c’mon if ever there were men to form a club or organisation of their own it’s these four. Add to the mix others we see and well tell me you wouldn’t want to see more of them all working together for a common goal.
For younger folks this is just a fun look at history's most famous and influential men for the older set it has all the mystery and intrigue, not to mention subterfuge, that engages the mind in some very wonderful ways. Though it’s really the brutal ending where Howard’s mother tells her ex-daughter-in-law exactly what she thinks of her that’s the highlight of this issue. What incredible dialogue that is!
This would be the series I think EVERYONE regardless of age or gender should be reading. Inspiring and delightful this engages readers in every way possible.