Random Happenstance

An off start to the week, not just because of the holiday; but because one of the few comics I grabbed this weekend was another copy of Superboy #197, which I had of course blogged but inexplicably messed up entering the issue number! So, instead we've got another book, and I had thought this would be just a one-shot and was quite surprised both features were continued: from 2006, Tales of the Unexpected #1, featuring "The Cold Hand of Vengeance!" Written by David Lapham, pencils by Eric Battle, inks by Prentis Rollins; and "Architecture & Mortality, Part One" Written by Brian Azzarello, art by Cliff Chiang. Cover by Mike Mignola!

This was the Crispus Allen era of the Spectre: the GCPD homicide detective, that had been shot in the back, then saddled with the ghostly avenger of God's wrath. Still a detective at heart, he invisibly watches some of his old crew investigate a murder scene; a slumlord left handcuffed to a boiler in his tenement's basement, then later stabbed. Working the clues, Crispus seems moderately frustrated with the mortal detectives' work: they might be a little shoddy, but for him this would be like yelling at the TV during an episode of Blues Clues when they don't immediately get the answer. Crispus is also worried about what will happen when he figures it out: namely, the Spectre would come out, and go absolutely medieval on the perp. Was it justice? Or a bit much? Also, I don't want to spoil it, but the Spectre's ironic punishment doesn't fit this time. But, the case wasn't over yet...

I'm not sure if Crispus is still the Spectre in current continuity; but the next story might be better known; probably because of the Cliff Chiang art: it's the start of Doctor Thirteen's best-known story, and I should probably get the collected Architecture & Mortality since there are a ton of guest-stars, including several I'm fairly sure they didn't really have the rights to, so shh. After a prelude with Anthro, the first boy on earth; and a later scene with the dying ghost Captain Fear, and an icky dream sequence; Dr. Thirteen and his daughter Traci head to the French Alps, to investigate cannibalism at a plane crash. That might not have been cannibalism, it might have been a yeti--no, no such thing, and it wouldn't be there anyway--instead, it's Andrew Bennett, of I, Vampire! Which, of course, Dr. Thirteen won't believe in either, so this'll be fun for him.