kallis@pen.DEC (08/21/85)
A short, appreciative review of the _Blue Devil_ annual: Although the humor was strained, _Captain Carrot_ was something I fully enjoyed. It was a case of the DC scripters taking the trouble to become less serious (try to find the equivalent in the regular Marvel titles); I mourned its passing. _Blue Devil_ (BD) since came along, and it's trying to elevate the early DC CC&HAZC standards somewhat; often ony with fair success. The annual achieved what the earlier attempts lacked. The issue has managed to add whole new dimensions to such characters as The Phantom Stranger, The Demon, Madam Xanadu, and Felix Faust. The idea of a villan complaining that his finger hurts or a hero being reduced to making faces at a major menace are just plain delightful. That Etrigan speaks in rhymes is understood ... but once in a limerick? Add to that two mutually exclusive origin stories of a significant DC character and an extremely unorthodox method for a hero to dispose of a menace (yum!), and you've got a lighthearted issue _par excellance_. The last few panels are worth the price of the issue by themselves. I do not wish to spoil the enjoyment of this issue, and I recommend it strongly for those familiar with the spookier parts of the DC universe. But don't bother to read it if you've checked your sense of humor at the door. Filled with Social Significance and Deep Meaning it isn't. Steve Kallis, Jr.