Mister Miracle is a master escape artist that can’t be trapped by anything, except for his fatherly responsibilities. Watch this New God of New Genesis juggle his life as Highfather and the leader of a huge army, and being a father to his newborn child. As Funky Flashman would say; Mister Miracle is magnificent!
Mister Miracle #8
Author: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerads
Colors: Mitch Gerads
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
!!!Spoiler Warning!!!
What You Need to Know:
Mister Miracle and Big Barda have been living happily on Earth for some time now. The couple had been living peacefully until the war to end all wars between New Genesis and Apokolips began again. Mister Miracle and Big Barda will always help their home when needed, but after a nearly fatal accident where Scott was found with a slit wrist after a suicide attempt, it seems harder for Scott to cope with the violence and destruction of war. Scott’s anxiety and PTSD constantly come into play as sometimes we aren’t sure if he is just having an episode, or if Scott has the Anti-Life Equation flowing through his veins. The new Highfather, Orion, believes that Scott is a spy for Apokolips and that Darkseid is controlling him so Orion beats Scott within an inch of his life before deciding Scott must be executed.
Scott and Barda have an amazing day alone before taking the tubular trip to New Genesis. Once there the lovebirds fight through hordes of different enemies, joking the whole time. Before Scott went in to confront Orion Barda let him in on a very special surprise; Barda is pregnant! Just after that huge reveal, Scott walks in to face the music and see if he can escape his execution. But instead of facing his death Scott walks in right after Orion’s own execution at the hands of the evil tyrant Darkseid.
After being appointed Highfather Scott had to leave his post so he could be where he was most needed. At the hospital with Barda Scott waits and has a couple of interesting conversations with the Furies of Apokolips. After the Furies, ironically, help their son be born, Barda and Scott get to see their newborn baby’s face for the first time and, in an amazing tribute to the creator of the Fourth World, they name their son Jacob after the one and only Jack Kirby.
What You’ll Find Out:
Scott Free has gone back to work after the birth of his newborn son, and this isn’t fun work for a new father. Scott is seen assassinating an Apokolips political figure (I assume) with Lightray beside him before the story flips to him at home with Jacob. Scott is training Funky Flashman to be the babysitter whilst learning how to be a parent himself.
Next, we see Scott in the heat of battle, where he actually takes a shot to the knee. While the medics work on Scott, Barda talks to him via Motherbox about what the baby is doing.
This is pretty much the entire issue and it couldn’t have been done any better. Scott gets to witness his son’s first steps and even tells Flashman about how Batman kills babies. The big highlight of the issue would have to be right around the end of the story. Scott sees the death and destruction and while singing his son’s nursery rhyme almost gives up, but when Barda calls and Scott hears his son say “dah” from which he gains the will to keep fighting, all so his family can live a peaceful life.
The more detail explained, the less this issue will make you feel so all I can say is READ IT!
What Just Happened?
Just Like Scott Free’s shirt game, Tom King and Mitch Gerads are absolutely on point with every issue of “Mister Miracle” including this one. The realism of a family trying to juggle their home life and their work life was done so well here that once again Scott and Barda almost seem like normal people. The entire issue shows different points of what was probably around a year or so, and a lot happens within that time. The other New Gods of New Genesis aren’t sure how to feel about Scott being Highfather. At one point Lightray event confronts Scott and tells him that he is just trying to be something he isn’t. Scott doesn’t listen to anyone doubting him because he knows at the end of this never-ending road of destruction, his loved ones are waiting for him.
Mitch Gerads keeps up with his nonsensical psychedelic art style that gives this series so much depth. The reader never knows what’s real and what’s not in the life of Scott Free with his PTSD and the possible Anti-Life Equation running through him. Mitch Gerads does an absolutely incredible job showing off the confusion and anxiety that this book expresses. Mitch Gerads shows the difference between earth and Apokolips with some dark reds and purples when on the hellacious planet, and light simple colors that are easily familiar when on earth.
The detail done to every panel is incredibly done, and two things show the close attention to detail that Mitch is so good at. One: Scott’s beard has continued to grow since issue one. Two: Scott seems to have an abundance of DC T-shirts that looks very similar to my own shirt drawer. These simple things just show how much effort has been put into this series, and the way the Fourth World mythos is being used makes Mister Miracle not only one of the best Fourth world series but one of the best comic series to date.
Rating: 10/10
Final Thoughts: I couldn’t think of any other rating for this issue due to the fact that it was the first comic book to ever make me shed a tear. “Mister Miracle” is one of the most emotional series out right now with about every other issue being absolutely heartbreaking, and the other issues are action-packed adventures starring the most adorable comic couple ever known. I recommend Mister Miracle for anyone looking for an emotional read, and any fans of the creative team.
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