Mighty Samson #23
Published and © by Gold Key (Western), March 1974
Title: “In the Country of the Blind”
Synopsis: Warring tribes governed by half-brothers must learn to work together or fall prey to mutant animals in the N’Yark ruins.
Writer: Jack Abel
Artist: José Delbo
Review: According to the Dark Horse volume collecting this issue, journeyman inker Jack Abel receives the writing credit for this outing. And while this story may never be accused of high art, this serviceable issue is a cut above the average Mighty Samson. Similar in tone to a Saturday morning cartoon, this simple tale takes on a parable-like quality, delivering societal observations and moral-learning moments. Sure, rich characterization and more complex world-building would be nice, but the story accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. The same can be said for José Delbo’s simple-but-clean art. Unspectacular but utterly competent.
Grade: B
Cool factor: Mighty Samson is rarely awful. Little Me should have given this title a chance.
Not-so-cool factor: Aero-panthers? Where were there panthers in New York to mutate?
Notable: Mighty Samson gets a new costume.
Character quotable: “It’s refreshing to know that in a savage world such as ours, there is still gratitude!” – Sharmaine, thankful for the thanks
Editor’s note: This review was written March 3, 2024.
