DC Universe: Helltown
by Dennis O'Neil
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dennis O'NeilEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-11-01
ISBN: 0446616583
Number of pages: 344
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Reviews of DC Universe: Helltown
Book Review: ?
Summary: 3 Stars
Let me answer some questions...
-Should non-DC fans read this book? Probably not. It does have good action scenes and keeps a decent pace, but it is by no means a mystery novel and the appearances of guest super heroes, even if they are ones without super powers, will come off as silly to people who don't read comics.
-Should DC fans read this book who aren't familiar with the Question? This is probably the prime demographic. The novel incorporates a lot of elements from O'Neil's gritty and wonderful run on the character's comic book series. That said, the comic books did a better job. Even the introspection of Question's psyche was better there, which is surprising considering O'Neil could have had even more space in this novel to put Sage's thoughts into text.
-Should Question fans read this novel? If you're a fan of the Ditko original, then absolutely not. More than anything this is what I missed from the novel - Vic Sage's hardlined objectivist beliefs earlier in life. Regardless of whether you prefer the Question as he was created by Ditko or altered by O'Neil, when O'Neil began his comic series with the character the Question had to rethink his objectivist beliefs. Instead of a metamorphoses from one breed of man into another, you get a schmoe turning into the Question thanks to the machinations of other prominent DC characters. An interesting take for maybe another hero, but I think Ditko's intentions for the Question has to be there somewhere, otherwise he's just a guy in a mask.
While this is an "origin" story for the Question, don't be misled into thinking this novel is a good primer for what the character is about.
Pros
-Basically a modern-day pulp novel. Plenty of action at a good pace.
-Moderate fun if you're a DC fanatic. Even then, the DC guest heroes are nothing to write home about.
Cons
-Not the best if you're a genuine Question fan.
-Many of the protagonists have interchangeable personalities, possessing the same wit and sense of humour.
-The villains in the story and the problems plaguing Hub City are so overt it's more silly than sinister. To showcase how corrupt the local government is there's nightly parties with pool tables, cards, hookers and booze held inside city hall itself.
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