A Return to the Morts

Okay, I told you in my main blog that I'm supposed to be working instead of blogging, but I realized I don't have to do any research since my last entry was a review of the most recent issue of Booster Gold (BTW, yes, Goldstar, Booster's secretary Trixie Collins, was a former Mort, and I would love to see her again in the new series). Okay, the new Mort is DC. Enjoy.

Mort Game Review

Randy hit our last mort right on the head (figurtively speaking) when he guessed that he was Mister Bones, a former low-level DC villian, and member of the evil team Helix. Mister Bones' invisible skin emits cyanide, meaning he kills whoever he touches. Interestingly, Wikipedia reports that he is an African-American, which I think is a difficult thing to establish if your skin is invisible. Am I wrong on this?

As a break from the usual foolishness on this site, Randy recommended I give you a brief review of what was arguably the best comic book released last week, Booster Gold #1. Now, in complete honesty, my opinion is that the Booster Gold #1 that came out in 1986 was better than the issue we got last week, but I'm so excited that we actually have a series featuring the Corporate Crusader that I won't complain. Plus, I'm not sure any of you would read a review of Booster Gold #1 (1986).

Anyway, to the review: The issue begins with Booster Gold taking out the Royal Flush Gang in a scene purposefully reminiscent of Justice League #4, where Booster joins the League. The scene is perfunctory, but it beautifully sets up the story-telling device the writers used to frame the story (Will Booster join the Justice League again?) . Recognizing that there will be more than a few Johnny-Come-Lately's to the greatness that is Booster Gold, the authors show some pity and give a quick two page recap of Booster's origin (The 1986 series waited six issues before rewarding the readers with this information, but they spent seven pages on the origin, so I guess it all balances out). The current Justice League makes a cameo, no doubt to help boost the sales of their own little series, and we get a quick look at the DC universe's feelings about Booster. It is mostly negative, although I find it most interesting that both Batman and Superman (two of the "Big Three") speak in his favor. Wonder Woman certainly would have as well, but I'm sure she was just overcompensating for her unspoken physical attraction for the hero from the future.

After the B-List move back to their own mag, the story moves on and we are reintroduced to Booster's supporting cast, namely his ancestor Daniel and his "boss" Rip Hunter. Skeets is here as well, sans his evil caterpillar induced persona, but he's hardly just a supporting character. We also get an idea of what the series will be about, as we learn that Booster must continually travel through time to "set right things that once went wrong". So, yeah, it's a little "Quantum Leap", but it also means that the writers have the whole of the DC universe- past, present, and future- to play with. Booster Gold will be the only place you get to see Barry Allen as Flash, Ted Kord as Blue Beetle, or Sinestro as a Green Lantern.

On a whole different level, Booster Gold is a deeply woven character study, as Booster, who has always been defined by his desire for recognition, must play the part of the fool, sacrificing his legacy so that he and his ancestors will be safe from evil time-travellers. Anyone who has read the previously mentioned series from 1986 (and I guess that would be me) knows that the question of whether he will be capable of living this lie is a legitimate one. Even if he can, the inescapability of this fate is tragic in its own right, like the story of someone who seeks love their whole life only to die friendless and alone. To make a long story just a little longer, Booster Gold is an important comic in the DC universe and one you should be reading.

Those of you who show up only to guess the Mort, feel free to examine the cover of Booster Gold #1 and guess about who you see on the playing cards.

That's "Mister" Skull-Faced Mort to you

Sheikh Farouk Al-Fasaud was a crooked government official in an oil producing middle eastern country. His scheming was uncovered by American journalist Gregory Dunbar. Enraged, the sheikh attempted to kill Dunbar by stabbing him with a knife, but Dunbar ducked and Fasaud stabbed a nearby video camera instead. This accident transformed him into an electronic form that allowed Fasaud to continue his campaign of revenge against the reporter. The "All-New" Fantastic Four (featuring Human Torch, Thing, the Inhuman Crystal, and the Ms. Marvel that would one day be transformed into She-Thing), managed to stop the sheikh's vengance.

Okay, I've decided to return to my DC comics roots for the new Mort. Take your best guess.

Mort sponsored by the Atari 2600

The last Mort was hardly fair in all honesty, as Crackerjack Jackson only appeared in one issue (1974's The Incredible Hulk #182). This blog isn't meant to be a review of individual comic books, but the short version of the story is as follows: Hulk has just finished a knockdown, drag-out fight with Wolverine when he hears someone playing the Harmonica. Following the music, Hulk meets Crackerjack Jackson who offers Hulk some of the beans he is warming up over a campfire. Touched by Jackson's kindness, Hulk joins the vagabond for a meal, where he learns that Crackerjack Jackson has a son who is in prison. Cut to a scene just outside of prison where two felons, one of them Crackerjack's son, have just escaped. While escaping, they meet an alien. Scared, the criminal who is not the younger Jackson shoots the alien. In an ironic twist, this is exactly what the alien needs, as he was about to die of hunger, except his race eats metal. As a reward, the alien transforms the criminals into super-criminals, namely Hammer and Anvil. Cut back to Hulk, who decides to help his new friend Crackerjack by helping him break into prison to visit his son. This ironically coincides with Hammer and Anvil also breaking back into prison to get retribution on their jailkeepers. Crackerjack sees his now super powered son and tries to convince him not to commit the crime, but tempers flare and Crackerjack is killed by his own son. After that, well, Hulk Smashes before taking Crackerjack's body and giving it a private burial. All in all, a pretty good self-standing issue of The Incredible Hulk.

Okay, I said that Crackerjack Jackson wasn't fair because he only appeared in one comic book, so the new Mort is at least three times more fair, since he appeared in a grand total of 3 comics. Of course, it was a three-issue story arc of Fantastic Four, but I think that is more than enough exposure for you to figure this guy out. Have fun!