The Helmet of Fate Trade Paperback Review

The Helmet of Fate
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
128 Pages
$14.99 (2007)
ISBN 9781401214708

Contributors: Gail Simone, Steve Niles, Steve Gerber, Bill Willingham, Tad Williams, Scott Hampton, Shawn McManus, Duncan Rouleau, Peter Snejbjerg, Phil Winslade, Brian Bolland and others.

Reprints: The Helmet of Fate: Detective Chimp #1; The Helmet of Fate: Black Alice #1; The Helmet of Fate: Sargon the Sorcerer #1; The Helmet of Fate: Ibis the Invincible #1; The Helmet of Fate: Zauriel #1

Synopsis: The Helmet of Fate is searching for a new master and flies around the universe visiting several magic/occult individuals.  It visits the fallen angel Zauriel, Ibis the Invincible, Sargon the Sorcerer, Black Alice, and the reluctant Detective Chimp.

Each must face the trial of the Helmet and be judged worthy to carry on the mission of Doctor Fate.  Who will be successor to immense mystical power?

Pros: Nice cover, some new versions of old DC characters are introduced such as Ibis the Invincible and Sargon the Sorcerer, you get solo stories from less well-known magic characters Black Alice, Zauriel, and Detective Chimp, the writing/art is relatively decent

Cons: Price is steep for reprinting a five issue mini-series (roughly translates to $3.00 an issue reprinted), nothing happens and there’s no resolution to the overall story, aside from the updates to the old characters these stories are pretty much useless

Mike Tells It Straight: Don’t waste your time with this story unless you’re a diehard Fate or DCU magic completist. It’s an expensive exercise with no payoff at the end.

TO BUY and Recommendations: The Helmet of Fate