My Rating
“The Final Gathering”
Last time, Fate escaped death with a little help from a goth-lookin’ wannabe process server. Now the agent of the Lords of Order has an even bigger problem—he has to go to space court! What?!? The Sentinel, Alan Scott, wants the artifacts of Fate, believing they are his rightful inheritance. Jared Stevens better lawyer up, and fast! Fortunately, the mysterious Doctor Occult has offered his services. Unfortunately, Jared still has no idea if he can trust the guy.
Back at Arnold Burnsteel’s office, Vera checks the Fate website for new clues surrounding the fabled Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Something big is coming, and all roads seem to lead back to Switzerland. The strange gathering at the World Peace Summit may be more than another collection of politicians, celebrities, and do-gooders posing for the cameras. Jared needs to get moving before the pieces fall into place—but first, Fate has to take a leak. Apparently, even the supernatural forces of Order and Chaos must occasionally wait for a bathroom break.
Is Fate powerful enough to face the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and survive a day in People’s Court? Can Doctor Occult keep the artifacts of Fate out of Alan Scott’s hands? How long will Vera wait for Jared to finish his business? And is a Doctor of Occult an accredited four-year or eight-year degree? The final gathering is underway, and Jared Stevens is once again standing directly in the middle of the madness. Collect the series to find out!
Review
Things are starting to look pretty damn good in the Weirdoverse! Ten issues into The Book of Fate, and I’m loving the storyline and artwork. What began as a strange 1990s reinvention of Doctor Fate has turned into this bizarre mixture of supernatural horror, cosmic mythology, superhero action, and juvenile humor. Somehow, it all works. Jared Stevens remains the glue holding the insanity together because he reacts to gods, monsters, and cosmic court proceedings about the same way an irritated construction worker would react to a flat tire.
I’m also enjoying how the different storylines are finally beginning to come together. Alan Scott wants the artifacts, Doctor Occult has entered the picture, and the mystery surrounding the Four Horsemen continues to grow. Even Vera and Arnold Burnsteel have become an important part of Jared’s strange little world. I kind of wish I had picked up this series back in 1997. Then again, I’m not sure I would have appreciated the Weirdoverse nearly as much back then as I do today.
On a side note, don’t skip the letters-to-the-editor section! Readers were already discussing who should play Jared Stevens if The Book of Fate ever became a movie. One name thrown into the ring was Bruce Campbell. Are you kidding me? That would have been perfect! Campbell had exactly the right combination of sarcasm, swagger, humor, and blue-collar attitude needed to bring Jared Stevens to life. Now I’m disappointed we never got a late-1990s Book of Fate movie starring Bruce Campbell. Thanks a lot, DC. Four out of five stars.