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The Question 2: Poisoned Ground by Dennis O'Neil, Denys Cowan and Rick Magyar
01/07/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Titan/DC comics. 172 page graphic novel. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84576-839-3. Buy The Question 2: Poisoned Ground in the USA - or Buy The Question 2: Poisoned Ground in the UK  check out website: www.titanbooks.comand www.dccomics.com
Vic Sage aka Charlie Szasz aka The Question has to be a real oddball in the DC super-hero pack. If anything, he isn't really a super-hero, more a detective who obscures his face under some form of latex and a quick spray job to change his hair colour. It wasn't until I read the story in this reprint of the 1988 #7-12 series that this was explained.
I thought the gas from his belt buckle stuck his mask on. Like super-glue as no one else seemed capable of pulling it off. He's extremely fit with enough money to get by from being an occasional TV reporter. If anything, he's Batman without the costume or gadgetry living in Hub City, keeping their continual crime-wave under review, chopping it off at the knees when he has to. He could also be Eisner's Spirit would a little added anguish.
In many respects, reading 'The Question' is like slipping back into a film noisish 1940s where the detective finds the villain and wins with his fists. The Question is a little smarter than that, he unravels the clues and puts things together with a little added humour so you realise he doesn't take himself too seriously. He also carries a weight on his shoulders as he weaves his way through life.
Of the six issues here, the middle three where he has to rescue his pal, Aristole Rodor, and has to leave the city for the South America country of Santa Prisca, shows he can adapt to different terrain and be frighteningly effective and is an intense read. That's not to say that the other three tales aren't equally good. Denny O'Neil and Denys Cowan do some incredible work here, deliberately rough around the edges but beautiful crafted at the same time.
The Question is really built in a grass roots level reality that really wants you to follow what he does in life. A real tortured soul. He might not be as right wing as he was originally created by Steve Ditko but you can appreciate the sensitivity of the man. A bigger question is why no one has thought to get a film out of his life. Mayhap, the release of 'The Watchmen' might review this question since Rorschach was based on him.
If you've never bumped into the Question then you haven't been in his sights to take down. If you haven't read the book, then I think you'll be in for some interesting entertainment.
GF Willmetts
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