QUESTION

The Question, Vol. 1: Zen and Violence
$19.99
I first heard of the Question when the Justice League cartoon became Justice League Unlimited. He was introduced in "Fearful Symetry", and although his name was not mentioned, and he had no powers to speak of, I knew he was incredibly cool. I began researching his character, and my hopes of finding any comics about him dwindled. He was such a minor player, how could he ever get a compilation like Batman or Superman?

I don't know what triggered it- maybe Question's role in 52, or the sudden resurgeange of interest in Watchmen -but Question got his compilations, and thank God I found them.

Question is not like most super heroes. He has a simple costume, and lacks over-the-top themed enemies. He lives in what could be deemed "the real world" and fights real criminals. Now, I normally prefer some fantasy elements in my comics, but the setting fits the Question incredibly well. He needs no Joker, nor Brainiac, nor Gorilla Grod. He needs corrupt politicians, street thugs, and gangsters. This, coupled with excellent writing and stylish art, allows the book to transcend being silly, and so it becomes film noir told in panels.

If you ask me, the Question needs his own movie. Who knows? Pending the success of The Spirit and Watchmen, it might happen. For now, though, we have the source material of the comics, and they are so amazing, you can't go wrong.

The Question, Vol. 3: Epitaph for a Hero
$19.99
This third "The Question" trade paperback collects issues #13-#18 of the DC series, each 28 pages long with a 1988 cover price of $1.75. This features the same creative team of writer Dennis O'Neal and artist Denys Cowan. Vic Sage is a KEBL-TV investigative reporter in dismal Hub City (allegedly based on East St. Louis, IL) where "the social contract is a shambles and the city's in chaos". In pursuit of thugs and demagogues, he dons his alter ego "The Question" by applying an artificial skin that bonds to his face but allows for normal breathing and speaking. Lacking faith in the law enforcement and judicial systems, Sage uses both identities to pursue horribly corrupt Hub City politicians and criminals.
The first plotline pits Sage against a brutal renegade U.S. Army squadron. The last three issues involve an insane gangster/lawyer who is obsessed with the Old West and wants to expand his operations into a politically unstable Hub City. For the first time references are made to the DC Universe: Green Arrow makes a guest appearance and O'Neal includes a lengthy tribute to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' "The Watchmen". The series retains both the introspective and gritty tones of the earlier segments. Unfortunately, there are a few too many superhuman feats, like Sage jumping off a bridge to save a child from a car in the river, hanging on an ascending helicopter to pursue fleeing criminals, or successfully using a snowmobile as a ground-to-air missile. The covers feature a "suggested for mature readers" label, rare for a mainstream 1980s comic. The series lasted for 36 issues (plus annuals and a separate quarterly series), so I expect further TPBs in 2009.

The Question Vol. 2: Poisoned Ground
$19.99
The second collected The Question book from Dennis O'Neal's run really expands on the themes of the first. Here, you see what is going on inside The Question (Vic Sage)'s head, something that all recent works lack. If you are a fan of the grittier side of the DC universe, get this book.

DC Universe Infinite Heroes The Question
$9.99
Long time collectors and newcomers alike will scramble to get their hands on these collectible figures. Sculpted in various entertainment styles, these figures are not your average superheroes. With bold colors and dramatic detail, this line features your favorites and a whole number of lesser-heralded characters, too.