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Doc Unknown #1-3
The Complete Doc Unknown
After crash-landing his fighter plane during World War II, Warren Williams is taken in and trained by the warrior monks of the secret temple of Min-Yao. After a Nazi ambush, Warren returns to Gate City as Doc Unknown, a mystery man on the side of light in a world being consumed by darkness.
Read as Doc Unknown must protect Gate City from ruthless gangsters, monstrous mobsters, possessed museum attractions, evil secret societies, vampire ninjas, vengeful ghosts, hypnotizing fish-women, and much more!
From Fabian Rangel Jr. ( Space Riders ) and Ryan Cody ( The Phantom ) come the pulse-pounding supernatural pulp adventures of DOC UNKNOWN!
Read as Doc Unknown must protect Gate City from ruthless gangsters, monstrous mobsters, possessed museum attractions, evil secret societies, vampire ninjas, vengeful ghosts, hypnotizing fish-women, and much more!
From Fabian Rangel Jr. ( Space Riders ) and Ryan Cody ( The Phantom ) come the pulse-pounding supernatural pulp adventures of DOC UNKNOWN!
- GenresGraphic NovelsComics
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2017
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 30, 2018
Interesting and fun, but this sort of thing has been done better.
Doc Unknown is a costumed vigilante who protects Gate City from evildoers. There are both natural and supernatural menaces, but nothing Doc can't handle. It slowly becomes apparent that there are secrets to Gate City's very existence, and both its past and future are in jeopardy …
The writing wears its pulp roots proudly upon its sleeve. It's simple and direct, sketching everything with broad strokes and leaving the reader to fill in the details. There's not a lot of room for nuance, and a certain familiarity with the various tropes in play is assumed on the reader’s part.
If this were just a single story, it would be fun and retro, but at this length, its one note nature quickly becomes apparent. There are very few surprises here, and countless cliches. A more deft touch to the writing could offset this. This wants to be iconic storytelling, a tribute to those thrilling days of yesteryear, but it doesn't quite get there. What should be steel and chrome turns out to be cardboard and tinsel. For this type of book done right, check out Mike Mignola’s Hellboy or Michael T. Gilbert’s Mr. Monster instead.
Doc Unknown is a costumed vigilante who protects Gate City from evildoers. There are both natural and supernatural menaces, but nothing Doc can't handle. It slowly becomes apparent that there are secrets to Gate City's very existence, and both its past and future are in jeopardy …
The writing wears its pulp roots proudly upon its sleeve. It's simple and direct, sketching everything with broad strokes and leaving the reader to fill in the details. There's not a lot of room for nuance, and a certain familiarity with the various tropes in play is assumed on the reader’s part.
If this were just a single story, it would be fun and retro, but at this length, its one note nature quickly becomes apparent. There are very few surprises here, and countless cliches. A more deft touch to the writing could offset this. This wants to be iconic storytelling, a tribute to those thrilling days of yesteryear, but it doesn't quite get there. What should be steel and chrome turns out to be cardboard and tinsel. For this type of book done right, check out Mike Mignola’s Hellboy or Michael T. Gilbert’s Mr. Monster instead.
January 14, 2022
60% | C+ | Good
"Combing your hair different and wearing a pair of goggles isn't much of a disguise"
A fun, cheesy read with no real depth. Doc Unknown has a Batman like vibe with the visuals of Matt Murdock (thanks to the red glasses and suit), and that's all there really is to his character. Little effort is put in to give him an arc, with some of the villains receiving more development than the protagonist. That being said, the character growth all happens at the very end, making it feel incredibly rushed and somewhat undeserved. The plot also feels very hastily put together. There are moments where a lot is happening, and then sections of absolutely nothing of consequence. This is not a standout amongst the sea of choice that's available, but it's enjoyable for what it is.
"Combing your hair different and wearing a pair of goggles isn't much of a disguise"
Doc Unknown, a hero trained by warrior monks at the temple of Min-Yao, protects Gate City from all sorts of threats ranging from sirens to evil spirits
A fun, cheesy read with no real depth. Doc Unknown has a Batman like vibe with the visuals of Matt Murdock (thanks to the red glasses and suit), and that's all there really is to his character. Little effort is put in to give him an arc, with some of the villains receiving more development than the protagonist. That being said, the character growth all happens at the very end, making it feel incredibly rushed and somewhat undeserved. The plot also feels very hastily put together. There are moments where a lot is happening, and then sections of absolutely nothing of consequence. This is not a standout amongst the sea of choice that's available, but it's enjoyable for what it is.
August 8, 2019
Mediocre super-hero novel, with an ok story full of cliches and ok artwork about a hero with an unfortunate name. I really wanted to like this better than I did. The premise reminded me of aspects of the Phantom, Hellboy, Batman, the Spirit, LOEG, and Shang-Shi, but the story never reached the heights these achieved.
February 8, 2025
There’s a bit towards the end of this where our titular hero has to speak a spell to reverse the huge cosmic threat that threatens all creation and it typifies everything great and terrible about this book. Firstly, the threat just turns up with no real explanation and is called something like The Destroyer and all it does is destroy things; then Doc Unknown banishes it from reality by evoking a spell from a scroll he has to find which is literally “leave this dimension” backwards. There’s absolutely no complexity here, no sophistication and a lot of incredibly dumb logic among the well worn cliches
But… but… there is also something very winning about a comic that feels like a small and giddy child has written it. A lot of the early pulps and early comics have that tone, lots of stuff happening and not really any sense of why. Zero tension, very little of anything remotely unexpected but a great deal of charm because it’s not knowing or postmodern or winking at the audience. It’s a full blooded embrace of the dopiest comic cliches which you very rarely see in this form any more. There’s almost always a patina of cynicism or knowingness about it. But not here. It’s just pure and goofy entertainment and whatever qualms you have about the primitive writing or art get worn down about halfway through and you submit to the silly
But… but… there is also something very winning about a comic that feels like a small and giddy child has written it. A lot of the early pulps and early comics have that tone, lots of stuff happening and not really any sense of why. Zero tension, very little of anything remotely unexpected but a great deal of charm because it’s not knowing or postmodern or winking at the audience. It’s a full blooded embrace of the dopiest comic cliches which you very rarely see in this form any more. There’s almost always a patina of cynicism or knowingness about it. But not here. It’s just pure and goofy entertainment and whatever qualms you have about the primitive writing or art get worn down about halfway through and you submit to the silly
August 7, 2017
A collection of pulpy superhero goodness full of kung fu, vampire ninjas, snake crime lords, warrior monks and mystery men.
April 18, 2020
Um...okay. That was so bad I finally gave up on page 250 thinking "Why am I continuing to read this? It is giving me zero enjoyment."
Why so bad? Let's start with the art. It is VERY cartoony but not in a pleasing way. More like a "This person is a good drawer but I wouldn't pay money to see their drawings." When I feel like I could draw as good as them - then the art is a fail.
The premise? Well it's someone who liked The Shadow and decided to steal from his origin but did it worse and without as much thought.
Hey, I love the old Pulps as much as the next guy and I would love a new take on them but please don't just mash a bunch of old ideas together and think it is an homage.
The character itself is so ill defined and boring I was sad. One of his powers is speaking to ghosts but that's just something he was born with (no reason). He also is a good fighter and has a knife that is hidden up his sleeve. That is depressing just to write that. I am left wondering if the author put any thought into him at all to make him interesting, have a personality, have a supporting cast with personality, have a threat that is interesting.
The main villain is Snake (wow - did that take him 2 seconds to come up with that name?) and we actually get a backstory on him - but it is AGAIN old ideas recycled - deformed child who is mistreated (except for one person who shows him kindness)- becomes a boxer but refuses to throw key fight for mafia and so his mentor is killed as a "message" (how many times has that hack idea been used?). And even with that backstory I could care less about him. He is a guy who looks like a reptile and is strong. Ugh.
The stories - so weak. I get the feeling the guy tried to be like Mike Mignola and Hellboy but even as thin as some of those stories are they create some drama and tension. These stories feel like they have zero thought behind them.
I can't believe this was recommended on someone's "Best of Dark Horse". Yikes. And it was on the same list as The Goon (one of my favourites). The Goon should be insulted.
Why so bad? Let's start with the art. It is VERY cartoony but not in a pleasing way. More like a "This person is a good drawer but I wouldn't pay money to see their drawings." When I feel like I could draw as good as them - then the art is a fail.
The premise? Well it's someone who liked The Shadow and decided to steal from his origin but did it worse and without as much thought.
Hey, I love the old Pulps as much as the next guy and I would love a new take on them but please don't just mash a bunch of old ideas together and think it is an homage.
The character itself is so ill defined and boring I was sad. One of his powers is speaking to ghosts but that's just something he was born with (no reason). He also is a good fighter and has a knife that is hidden up his sleeve. That is depressing just to write that. I am left wondering if the author put any thought into him at all to make him interesting, have a personality, have a supporting cast with personality, have a threat that is interesting.
The main villain is Snake (wow - did that take him 2 seconds to come up with that name?) and we actually get a backstory on him - but it is AGAIN old ideas recycled - deformed child who is mistreated (except for one person who shows him kindness)- becomes a boxer but refuses to throw key fight for mafia and so his mentor is killed as a "message" (how many times has that hack idea been used?). And even with that backstory I could care less about him. He is a guy who looks like a reptile and is strong. Ugh.
The stories - so weak. I get the feeling the guy tried to be like Mike Mignola and Hellboy but even as thin as some of those stories are they create some drama and tension. These stories feel like they have zero thought behind them.
I can't believe this was recommended on someone's "Best of Dark Horse". Yikes. And it was on the same list as The Goon (one of my favourites). The Goon should be insulted.
January 19, 2018
A veritable bouillabaisse of pop culture influences, “The Complete Doc Unknown” collects the entire run of writer Fabian Rangel, Jr.’ and artist Ryan Cody’s acclaimed indie comic series about the hard-hitting protector of Gate City. Think of Doc Unknown like this: a Stephen Strange-esque guy who adopts a Rocketeer-type persona, fights “Hellboy”-inspired monsters as well as “Daredevil”-ish ninja hordes, and it’s all drawn in a “Batman: The Animated Series” kind of style. Sounds pretty freakin’ cool, right? Yup. It is.
It’s best not to overthink “The Complete Doc Unknown.” It’s pulpy and fun and, yes, sort of uneven and ridiculous in parts; some comics are just meant for enjoying, though, and “Doc Unknown” is 100% enjoyable. Rangel, Jr.’s writing is very tight and moralistic without being preachy, and Cody’s pencils are simple but kinetic, bringing to mind the old Superman serial cartoons. It’s a potent combination. To its credit, “Doc Unknown” never feels like a rip-off of its influences, more like a loving homage. I had a blast reading it.
Cyborg Nazis. Mutant mafioso. Time-traveling mystics. Rocket packs. Dragons. Ninjas. Alternate dimensions. What more do you need?! “The Complete Doc Unknown” has a little bit of everything. Lap it up.
It’s best not to overthink “The Complete Doc Unknown.” It’s pulpy and fun and, yes, sort of uneven and ridiculous in parts; some comics are just meant for enjoying, though, and “Doc Unknown” is 100% enjoyable. Rangel, Jr.’s writing is very tight and moralistic without being preachy, and Cody’s pencils are simple but kinetic, bringing to mind the old Superman serial cartoons. It’s a potent combination. To its credit, “Doc Unknown” never feels like a rip-off of its influences, more like a loving homage. I had a blast reading it.
Cyborg Nazis. Mutant mafioso. Time-traveling mystics. Rocket packs. Dragons. Ninjas. Alternate dimensions. What more do you need?! “The Complete Doc Unknown” has a little bit of everything. Lap it up.
February 27, 2018
Look: this isn't anything terribly original. There's a rich hero who stumbled upon an ancient, secret Asian city where he learned about mysticism and martial arts, and now he runs around a fictional city fighting enemies new and old. There are echoes of everything from Batman to Hellboy to the many, many old time radio heroes that inspired characters like The Rocketeer. If you're looking for originality, this is not the place to start.
That said, it's a fun, quick read through the entire series, with an ending that feels earned, if a little rushed in the moment. Doc Unknown is a fun mishmash of our favorite heroes, just as his villains are the same for their archetypes. Boss Snake is fun and weird, but in the end just a series of comic book cliches rolled up and stuck in a villain mold. And that's fine.
So if you just want to experience a complete story made up of the archetypes you love from comics, this isn't a bad place. There are some striking visuals and a few original ideas, but overall it's comic book comfort food.
That said, it's a fun, quick read through the entire series, with an ending that feels earned, if a little rushed in the moment. Doc Unknown is a fun mishmash of our favorite heroes, just as his villains are the same for their archetypes. Boss Snake is fun and weird, but in the end just a series of comic book cliches rolled up and stuck in a villain mold. And that's fine.
So if you just want to experience a complete story made up of the archetypes you love from comics, this isn't a bad place. There are some striking visuals and a few original ideas, but overall it's comic book comfort food.
August 3, 2017
It only took an issue or two in this behemoth of an omnibus before I became a steadfast devotee. Because, in addition to having a well-written script, and excellent ink work and coloring, it’s also dark as fuck, a statement which you can interpret as right up my alley. Doc isn’t fighting your average super villains with world-wrecking weapons and a deep-seated desire to rule the world. Like Doc himself, the bad gals and guys he’s fighting are way beyond the normal offerings in this type of comic. With vampire ninjas, siren-like fish women, and a raft of other hideous monstrosities to battle, our intrepid hero is the only thing that stands between Gate City and the darkness that threatens to engulf it.
Full review at: https://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/co...
Full review at: https://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/co...
February 13, 2018
In short: it's Hellboy minus Hellboy. There are evil cults and mystical idols and a guy who rides a motorcycle through the window to save the day. Various monsters do battle with various heroes. The art style most resembles Hellboy with blocky character designs and heavy use of shadows. The extremely spare dialogue too smacks of the Mignola-verse.
After the first full volume, though, this edition includes a smattering of short stories that don't really go anywhere. Maybe I missed the memo, but this "Complete Edition" feels kinda incomplete. Like the Doc Unknown story was never really finished? That's too bad because this is fun stuff, even if it's not much deeper than the kiddie pool.
After the first full volume, though, this edition includes a smattering of short stories that don't really go anywhere. Maybe I missed the memo, but this "Complete Edition" feels kinda incomplete. Like the Doc Unknown story was never really finished? That's too bad because this is fun stuff, even if it's not much deeper than the kiddie pool.
March 19, 2018
A entertaining pulp graphic adventure, set in 1940's American city, with a lot of ancient secrets, a hero facing the end of the world and a host of strange enemies.
Fun story with a beginning, middle and end.
So have fun with it readers.
Fun story with a beginning, middle and end.
So have fun with it readers.
December 29, 2019
This was a bunch of fun. Silly, pulpy, with fun art and ridiculous stories.
I think I like the idea more than the full execution. The shorter stories in the middle didn’t hold my interest that much, and I don’t think I ever cared much for the Atlantis story.
But a fun character, fun bad guys.
I think I like the idea more than the full execution. The shorter stories in the middle didn’t hold my interest that much, and I don’t think I ever cared much for the Atlantis story.
But a fun character, fun bad guys.
October 4, 2017
Eh.. wasn't too bad of a read. The ending felt kinda rushed in order to close everything up in the series. Some of the stories just felt like filler instead of building the story.
March 19, 2019
Fun but nothing new here. Look, if you like pulp comics you'll like this.
May 6, 2019
If you're looking for a solid slab of pulp adventure, look no further.
December 7, 2019
We've seen this before, but it still was fun!
August 21, 2022
Good collection of the Doc Unknown comics. Never read them before but has a classic pulp comic vibe. Story is good and for fans of Hellboy its a must read (similar vibes).
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews