Doctor Solar #30
Published and © by Whitman (Western), February 1982
Title: “Inferno!”
Synopsis: The mysterious Eric Dante promises unlimited power for the world – but is his offer too good to be true?
Writer: Roger McKenzie
Artist: Dan Spiegle
Review: Western’s 1980s comics were quite similar to their 1970s output, sans the striking painted covers. That’s a shame, because said covers often offered the only real appeal. This lead feature is serviceable, but the story offers no real stakes and the art is bland to a fault. Forgettable at best.
•••
Title: “Where Angels Fear …”
Synopsis: Magnus sets off on a rescue mission to free girlfriend Leeja Clane from the clutches of the robot E-VL.
Writer: Roger McKenzie
Artist: Frank Bolle
Review: There’s a smidge of potential in the Magnus concept, but neither story nor art does anything to tap it here.
Grade (for the entire issue): C-
Cool factor: Umm …
Not-so-cool factor: The use of enlarged interior panels for a mishmashed cover is a major disappointment, particularly given Western’s tradition of striking painted covers.
Character quotable: “Humans made me what I am and humans will pay for that … beginning with you!” – King Cybernoid, bearing a grudge
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 14, 2024.
