|
Finding a new title to read is tricky business. It always has been and as time goes on it seems to only get worse. Lately it seems like comic book publishers are following the same formula that Hollywood is following, which is to recycle old ideas or ideas from other countries. Of course, in this case "other countries" is other comic companies. Now, it's not necessarily all bad, but much like a US remake of a foreign flick, something gets lost in the translation, usually the spirit of the original work. So, when I actually found a title recently that seemed to have the spirit of a couple of favorite shows of mine in an enjoyable presentation, I was instantly hooked. That title is IDW's Mystery Society.
Initially I had no interest in even checking out the title. With all the variant covers that were coming out for the first issue it just struck me as a little bit of overkill. However, I saw an online retailer selling a signed copy of the first issue for basically no mark-up, so I figured, "Why not?" If the issue was bad, I was sure I would have a friend somewhere that liked the series and I would have a possible present for them. If I did like the issue, then I got a little extra bang for my buck.
Now, I have never been a Steve Niles fan. That isn't to say I dislike him, that's just me saying that he's not a writer whose work I will go out of my way to read. In fact, the only things I have ever read that were written by Steve Niles were Radical Comics' City of Dust and DC's Simon Dark. While City of Dust was enjoyable, it's nothing that "sticks" with me. However, Simon Dark was a short-lived series that I absolutely loved and will still reread on occasion. Still, in my mind when I think of Steve Niles, I tend to think of darker horror related things. I don't mind them, but they have to be done right. Simon Dark had some darkness to it, but the thing that made it really enjoyable was the VERY well written offbeat humor. I didn't know what Mystery Society would be, but I ordered the first issues anyway.
All I can say is that my concerns were unfounded and my lack of interest was WAY off the mark. As I said earlier, Mystery Society captures the spirit of a couple of my favorite shows, those shows being the modern run of Doctor Who and Warehouse 13. Right from the start Mystery Society hits the ground running. There is no introduction. There is no running. You start reading and you're off to the races. To me, that is the spirit that started both of the shows I mentioned. Also, the other thing that carries through the first three issues of the title is that free-form lack of rules feeling that makes Doctor Who such a fun watch. Sure, some things are "explained" but they are done in a language and fashion that only makes sense to the characters, not to you. It's easy to take what they say to each other as making sense to them and go along with the ride. As I've said before in previous articles, sometimes writers make the mistake of trying to explain what they shouldn't and Niles does not fall into that pit.
By the end of the first issue of Mystery Society the team goes from two to three. By the end of the second issue the team has grown to six members and two are already off on their own as members of the Mystery Society. Yes, the title moves that fast. No, not everything is explained. Yes, that is what makes it such a great read. It is simply, "Go! Go! Go!" from the start (OK, maybe a few pages after the start of the first issue). Plus, another bonus is that Niles once again brings in some offbeat humor. Dire situation don't seem nearly as dire when the characters make light of them as they do. The writing turns from action to humor on a dime and never slips in the least.
There is so much more I could write about Mystery Society but I am really being honest when I say that you need to check this title out for yourself and discover all it offers (beyond what I'm telling) on your own. I can't ever talk about some characters without giving things away. But believe me, if you are a fan of Doctor Who or Warehouse 13 you really do owe it to yourself to check out Mystery Society. Be it going and getting the first three issues or scooping up the trade paperback that you know will be coming later. Oh, and the artwork of Fiona Staples is perfect for the title. It definitely helps set the overall atmosphere of the universe of the Mystery Society.
One final thing that I will add is that after reading Mystery Society, I will definitely be keeping more of an eye out for what Steve Niles is writing. I know I won't necessarily like everything he does but Niles' spice in how he wrote Simon Dark and is now writing Mystery Society is definitely something that I am more than willing to actively seek out. Do yourself a favor and check out Mystery Society.
|