Ragman #3
Published and © by DC, December 1976-January 1977
Title: “See No Evil”
Synopsis: When a mute, blind orphan witnesses a murder, local thugs again come to blows with Ragman.
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist (layouts): Joe Kubert
Penciler: Redondo Studio
Inker: Redondo Studio
Review: This splendid, short-lived series continues its run of strong issues with a done-in-one tale featuring a blind/mute murder witness who comes under the protection of Ragman. Writer Robert Kanigher does a great job making this story believable – at least until the rushed, silly ending. Kanigher also fails to trust his own storytelling, supplementing subtle, well-delivered clues with awkward, ham-fisted hints. That’s too bad, because the subtle approach was very effective, thanks to perfectly executed visual storytelling by Joe Kubert and the Redondo Studio. This isn’t the best of Ragman’s five issues, but it’s still an excellent Bronze Age comic.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: The storytelling by Joe Kubert and the Redondo Studio has been strong throughout, but it really shines this issue. The page where a blind, mute orphan explains the murder he witnessed to Ragman is an excellent example of sequential art.
Not-so-cool factor: The ending involves a mechanized, battle wheelchair. And an domestic cat attack.
Notable: Includes the one-page, public service notice “Justice for All Includes Children, 8,” with art by Curt Swan.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Let ’em dance on air!” – A nameless, knuckle-cracking thug before lynching a pair of community activists
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Dec. 2, 2009.
