How awesome is The Question?


Let’s dive into the pages of the recently released The Question: Zen and Violence for the answer. In case you’re unfamiliar, this collection brings back the run by Dennis O’Neil on the now recently deceased Vic Sage version of the Question. It starts with Vic as a crappy hero who gets his skull crushed, then eventually comes back to wreak havoc on criminals.

Since Chris Sims is neglecting all things kick-to-the-face this week (get better Ma Sims!), here’s a taste of what the vengeful Question does to his foes:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Courtesy of Denys Cowan and Rick Magyar, we get full pages of intricate fights, orchestrated just about as well as they can be done. This, of course, is the Violence part of the title. Where does the Zen come in?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketUmm, yeah. I guess that’s it. I mean, I knew Zen was all about inner peace, I just didn’t realize that’s how you go about it. Vic Sage: Total badass, award-winning journalist and world’s most flexible man.

Now, I know you’re wondering the same thing that I’m wondering. How does he do it? How can one become as great as Vic Sage? Is there a path that doesn’t include making numerous hikes up into remote mountains and sitting in an ice cave until you decide to stop being a lame-o? Yes, yes there is.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketEver wonder how the Question went from second-rate hero to first-class badass? Wonder no more. In a single page, Vic Sage learned from Richard Dragon the ins and outs of creeping out villains and then beating the holy living crap out of them, all while acting ponderous and deep and stuff. You have to imagine that during the course of 52 as Sage kept pushing Montoya along, he couldn’t help but think, “Seriously, I learned this stuff in a page and it’s taking you a whole series!”

Now, try to tell me you looked at that page and Team America: World Police didn’t pop into your head.

One thing I noticed for the first time while reading this was just how much The Question took from The Spirit, to the point I have to wonder if O’Neil made the similarities intentional. Two heroes who wear blue suits and simple masks, neither has a power, both are more brawlers than anything, both reappear after being presumed dead, both books focus largely on societal ills around the hero. Anybody know about that?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketWith the Question’s demise, it’s nice that DC’s bringing these out of the vault. Now, let’s hope they collect Rick Veitch’s Question run, which had all the awesomeness of Zen and Violence but wasn’t nearly as dated.

And for proof of that datedness, here’s a wicked mid-1980s mullet on some random dude that gets his ass kicked for no real reason. See, I told you this book was great.

It’s listed at $19.99 and collects the first six issues of O’Neil’s run.