Editor's Note: Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #1 arrives in stores tomorrow, October 7.

Paul Brian McCoy:
Charles Webb:

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Paul Brian McCoy:

Brother Voodoo is a character with a long, but undistinguished, history. After getting off to a very promising start, he's suffered through thirty-plus years of abuse and neglect with his most prominent use being as a recurring joke for Fred Hembeck.

Until a few short months ago, that is.

In New Avengers #53, Brian Michael Bendis did what I've come to expect from him. He ham-handedly injected a fantastic idea into an otherwise lackluster and sloppy story. Now, don't get me wrong. I think Bendis is a great Idea Man. I'd love to see him in an editorial position with Marvel and concentrating on writing the Crime and/or Espionage comics where his strengths are obvious. Those are the types of books where I've loved, and continue to enjoy, his work.

But his superhero narratives, on the other hand...

As I've said before and am saying again: I think his ideas are great. It's the execution of those ideas where the problems arise. But when he comes up with an idea and then hands it off to another writer, I've been very impressed. Nearly all of the tie-ins to Secret Invasion were stronger than the main series, Secret Warriors has been rock solid and invigorated Marvel's Espionage wing, and now, Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural promises to do the same for Marvel's Supernatural milieu.

I've only recently come into contact with the work of writer Rick Remender. I'm moving backwards into his catalog after he impressed me with Punisher, and I'm enjoying the Fear Agent work I've gotten my hands on so far. And since Brother Voodoo, now Doctor Voodoo, has always been a favorite character of mine, I've been paying attention to his interviews since this new series was announced.

I've liked what I've heard, particularly his notion of working with a Voodoo pantheon in an attempt to build up an equivalent to the magical deities of the rest of the Marvel Universe. This is a long time coming, if you ask me. Voudoun culture is ripe for the Marvel treatment, and has been since the creation of Brother Voodoo back in 1973. But no one has really taken the time, or had the opportunity, I suppose, to do it up right. Remender sounds like he's going about it the right way.

Finally, we've got a writer who seems as excited about the character as I've always been, and it looks like he's got a mandate to set the Marvel Supernatural Universe right. There's something just satisfying about seeing Doctor Strange shifted into an advisory position, while Jericho Drumm steps up and breathes new life into situations and relationships that have been stale for so long.

This isn't a comic about a character who sits back and waits for something to happen. We open with Jericho getting in Dormammu's flaming face and shutting him down with supreme cool. He goes in with a plan, takes advantage of Dormammu's condescension, and schools him.

It's only once Jericho is out and away that he acknowledges just what a deadly close-call it was, but while in play, Doctor Voodoo seemed completely comfortable and ready to be Sorcerer Supreme. I am impressed as hell. I'm as impressed as I was when Jason Aaron took over Ghost Rider.

The back half of the issue is taken up with Jericho's other duties running a clinic in New Orleans. I'm not sure what kind of clinic it is, since he's a psychologist. Has something been retconned without my notice? Regardless, the action comes fast and disturbingly furious. The issue ends with the arrival and battle with a surprise guest-star (although if you've seen some of the art samples online, you probably know who I'm talking about), boasting one of the more ominous final pages that I've seen in a while.

Jefte Palo's art is a revelation. I loved his work on the Punisher one-shot Little Black Book and couldn't get enough of his work on Jason Aaron's Black Panther Secret Invasion tie-in, "See Wakanda and Die." The energy he put into those works is on full display here, whether it's in Jericho taking Dormammu down or the slugfest between Doctor Voodoo and the guest-villain as they hurtle through dimensions.

But where the backgrounds and settings were simplified and stylized in those previous works, here, the set designs are grand and powerfully actualized. The sense of scale does a great job helping to establish the tone and possible themes of the story as it unfolds. I'm also very fond of his interpretation of Doctor Strange. Gone is the pencil-thin line across his upper lip, replaced with a thicker, heavier mustache and an older, more tired look than I've ever seen with the character. I am a fan of big mustaches, so I welcome this change as much as the change in title of Sorcerer Supreme.

Is that weird? I don't care. Anytime a character in my comics reminds me of Sam Elliot it makes me happy.

All in all, this book made me happier than any book in a while. I've wanted to read a good Doctor Strange story for nearly thirty years and I've wanted to read a good Brother Voodoo story for even longer. This scratches all of my itches gloriously, and I can't wait for the next issue. And the one after that. And the one after that.

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Charles Webb:

Plot: Having assumed the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, Jericho Drumm a.k.a. Dr. Voodoo must now fend off threats to the magical realms (as well as assaults on his title as master of the mystic arts).

Comments: Can I just say how much I hate – absolutely LOATHE – the Dr. Voodoo costume? With the black unitard, red cape, and painted-on bone accents it feels like Spawn given voodoo drag. It's just sort of terrible, and I don't know where to direct my eye.

But other than that, I really quite liked this book. Nothing snarky or terribly insightful to say – I just appreciate that Marvel is taking a stab at rehabilitating their mystical characters in the way that Abnett and Lanning were allowed to give the cosmic side of the Marvel U a bit of shape and spice.

In this case it's by dusting off Jericho Drumm, psychologist and voodoo practitioner after he was bestowed with the Eye of Agomotto over in the New Avengers. Remender writes Drumm as a bit stressed but confident given the new responsibility and some vague murmurings from the murky depths that something dire is about to happen.

Not to be left out, Dr. Strange shows up to give the character a little advice before wandering off to his upcoming mini by Mark Waid (and looking especially lumpy under Jeff Palo's pencil). It's a very good passing of the torch story where Drumm has to contend with all the headaches of being a servant of the Loa and the Sorcerer Supreme. Read the right way, the whole thing has the feel of the old guy handing the keys to the office off to the new guy, patting him on the back and saying good luck. There's all sorts of administrative business (minding the multiverse), guys trying to take the job (Dr. Doom makes an appearance) and messes from the old job popping up (enemies of Brother Voodoo haven't stopped being enemies of Doctor Voodoo).

But again with the costume – why so hideous?

Final Word: With the exception of the terrible costume this is a very enjoyable first issue, and I'm excited for where Remender will go next with the character.

If you liked this review, be sure to check out more of the author’s work at Monster In Your Veins

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