I think I read at least one of the Dr. Fate back-up strips in the early ’80s, and think I once had a now long gone copy of Immortal Dr. Fate Baxter book. I might be up for a tpb if the price and scheduling works out.

Simonson drew Fate a few times since the ’70s, but I can’t recall anything major, just stuff like trading cards.

The jaws droop on the recently deceased pretty near immediately. Often, such as if they went into Kussmaul respirations, it was already hanging even before they passed. That’s why towels are usually tucked under the chin or wrapped around the head to give a more peaceful and less “screaming into the eternal abyss” appearance for family members visiting someone who has passed before the mortuary can pick them up and sew the lips shut.

I think Fate had another wave of popularity during the Hector Hall days and the JSA, but then they got rid of him too! So disappointing.

This is one of those characters that just grabbed me on looks alone. I was first introduced (as a 7-year old) to Fate in JLA #232, the 2nd part of a JLA/JSA team-up. I next saw him in All-Star Squadron #48 and it was hard for my brain to justify his appearance in the sawed-off, half helmet. Still loved the character, but there was (and still is) nothing like that classic lid!

And the art! Oh my lord, the art. I’ve loved Simonson since I was a kid and bought some issues of Thor that just blew my young mind. Knowing for years that he drew this Dr. Fate story, I had been hunting for a copy. Finally found one and it was as awesome as I’d imagined. I think some artists are born to draw certain characters – and in Simonson’s case it was clear he was born to draw Thor, but I would argue he was just as much born to draw Dr. Fate. Do either Shag or Kyle know if he drew the character anywhere else after this?

Like a lot of you I was turned onto Dr. Fate from other books (Justice League, most likely?) and just fell for the super cool costume design immediately. But then I never read any of his solo book in the ’80s. I have no idea why but as I got older I found it nearly impossible to find the back issues – in fact, I’ve never actually seen the DeMatteis-Giffen miniseries or the DeMatteis-McManus solo series in back issues bins! Maybe it had low print runs?

I’m intrigued to pick up that new collection coming out later this year – would you guys recommend it? How are the Flash backup stories that make up a chunk of this new collection? I might buy the collection no matter what because I’d love to have this First Issue Special in a better format – my back issue suffers a bit from the faded colors of the era. I did recently purchase the DeMatteis-Giffen mini during the June Comixology sale for $99 per issue. Figured I couldn’t pass that up. So I hope to read that soon. Oh, and Shag, thanks to your mention of Back Issue #24 featuring a story on this First Issue Special, I ordered myself a copy of that one to check out. So, as always, thanks for encouraging me to spend more money on comics and comics-related stuff! 😉

It was great to hear Kyle on the show. He’s a swell guy! I’m not sure I like him hanging out with a rough crowd like Shagg, but he’s a big boy, and can make his own decisions.

I have only read this tale in the Digest comic you mentioned. The tiny pages can barely contain the Simonson art. I first met the good Doctor in Adventure Comics #463, wrapping up the death of the Earth-Two Batman. His visuals stuck with me. Even at age 4, I knew he was cool.

Shagg, don’t be ashamed, that Super Powers mini-series is a lot fun, and Kirby drew a mean Dr.Fate! I followed Fate whenever he showed up. I didn’t like the half-helmet in All-Star Squadron, but hey, it was authentic to the time. I followed him into JL/JLI, where I felt he was handled well. Even Batman was spooked by him!

I heard of a Fate mini-series coming shortly after Justice League, but I had no regular comic shop access at the tender age of 12 or 13. So when the ongoing began, I subscribed, so I wouldn’t miss out. I couldn’t have been more disappointed to find Kent and Inza dead, with some kid and his step-mom as Fate. I really felt like DC pulled the rug right out from under the character at the height of his popularity. He’s never really recovered.

Great episode fellas!

Chris

Retroactive Instock Trades plug, you can get that Artist Edition from Instock Trades for $125 (that’s with free shipping) that’s 176 pages of art scanned in directly from Walt’s original art pages, so it’s that gorgeous 11 x 17″ oversized format and has editor notes and everything on it. So go check that one out, I’m going to have to add that to my list of stuff to track down.

Apparently the jaws falling open as the muscles and tendons detoriate is a fairly rapid setting process, and a dilemma that was more commonly known/recognized in the past. In fact Dickens even made reference to it in a Chrismas Carol. The first ghost to visit Scrooge is his former business partner Jacob Marley, who has a cloth wrapped around his head to keep his jaw from dropping.