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The Question (1986)
The Question, Vol. 5: Riddles
One of the most intriguing comic book heroes of the 1980s was DC's The Question, the faceless, morally conflicted avenger based in corrupt Hub City, whose adventures were written by longtime Batman writer Dennis O'Neil. An expert in martial arts, The Question also delved into Eastern philosophy while taking on crime and crooked politicians.
Secrets of the Question's past are revealed in this new, fifth volume, as The Question runs afoul of The Riddler and faces martial arts expert Lady Shiva. Collecting issues #25-30
Secrets of the Question's past are revealed in this new, fifth volume, as The Question runs afoul of The Riddler and faces martial arts expert Lady Shiva. Collecting issues #25-30
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1993
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143 people want to read
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,757 books276 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2018
In the DC universe, if corrupt crime ridden Gotham City is a hundred-dollar-an-hour call girl then Hub City is a five dollar hooker doing her business behind the Hub City Waffle House.
Gotham has the Batman.
Hub City has The Question.
The Question, created by Steve Ditko, is a martial arts, eastern philosophy spewing vigilante, whose alter ego is Vic Sage, TV investigative reporter. When he beats up thugs, he wears a Pseudoderm coating over his face to hide his features and look creepy.
Why not just wear a mask?
Because, random Goodreader masks are for cosplayers and middle-aged attendees of orgies.
In the DCAU, he was portrayed as a conspiracy nutter (who was eventually proven right) and despite that did end up with The Huntress.
*adjusts tin foil beanie*
This volume has several stories all running against the backdrop of the chaos that is Hub City. One of the best is the Question vs. Riddler showdown.
It seems that grade D villain, the Riddler can’t get any respect in Gotham City.
I wonder if the Ventriloquist gets less respect.
On a bus ride to Hub City, he’s lucky enough to sit next to a stripper who goes by the name of Sphinx.
Luckily for the reader, Sphinx is crazy and she’s packing heat and is no slouch in the riddle department.
In order to keep this from turning into Natural Born Killer plus One, The Question monologues these two with some sort of existential B.S…
“What is the essence of existence?”
Too late!!
Also featured in this tome is Lady Shiva.
Fellas, she’s single, but will disembowel you without a moments hesitation.
Bottom line - O’Neil excels at dialogue and characterization, but drops the ball somewhat with the plotting. The artwork is the same craggy, dark, unformed style that DC used back around the same period with the Bat-books. Your mileage may vary.
Gotham has the Batman.
Hub City has The Question.
The Question, created by Steve Ditko, is a martial arts, eastern philosophy spewing vigilante, whose alter ego is Vic Sage, TV investigative reporter. When he beats up thugs, he wears a Pseudoderm coating over his face to hide his features and look creepy.
Why not just wear a mask?
Because, random Goodreader masks are for cosplayers and middle-aged attendees of orgies.
In the DCAU, he was portrayed as a conspiracy nutter (who was eventually proven right) and despite that did end up with The Huntress.
*adjusts tin foil beanie*
This volume has several stories all running against the backdrop of the chaos that is Hub City. One of the best is the Question vs. Riddler showdown.
It seems that grade D villain, the Riddler can’t get any respect in Gotham City.
I wonder if the Ventriloquist gets less respect.
On a bus ride to Hub City, he’s lucky enough to sit next to a stripper who goes by the name of Sphinx.
Luckily for the reader, Sphinx is crazy and she’s packing heat and is no slouch in the riddle department.
In order to keep this from turning into Natural Born Killer plus One, The Question monologues these two with some sort of existential B.S…
“What is the essence of existence?”
Too late!!
Also featured in this tome is Lady Shiva.
Fellas, she’s single, but will disembowel you without a moments hesitation.
Bottom line - O’Neil excels at dialogue and characterization, but drops the ball somewhat with the plotting. The artwork is the same craggy, dark, unformed style that DC used back around the same period with the Bat-books. Your mileage may vary.
October 21, 2018
While Myra Fermin lies comatose in a hospital and Hub City descends into chaos, The Question tries to maintain order...
The penultimate volume of The Question sees Hub City sinking from hellhole to shithole and the Question is one of the few good men left. Cops aren't showing up for work, gangs roam the streets, and Izzy O'Toole is the acting mayor. The Question continues his descent into a lifestyle of violence, forsaking his former Zen ways, showing the depths of his feelings for Myra and Hub City.
Lady Shiva and the Riddler show up, reminding us that Hub City is in the DC Universe, albeit in the dirty, shadowy section. Speaking of shadows, I really like Malcolm Jones III's inks in this volume. I didn't realize how much of the feel of the early Sandman issues was due to him until I saw his inks on The Question. Denys Cowan's art gives the book the feel of a EC Comics crime book, especially with Jones on the inks.
While there's a boob and a curse here and there, the "Suggested for Mature Readers" label seems to be because of the realistic subject matter, corruption and greed. This book was way ahead of its time. In fact, most comics have yet to catch up.
As with his Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Dennis O'Neil shows the potential super hero comics have to tell more human stories, something a lot of comics still fail to do. 4 out of 5 stars.
The penultimate volume of The Question sees Hub City sinking from hellhole to shithole and the Question is one of the few good men left. Cops aren't showing up for work, gangs roam the streets, and Izzy O'Toole is the acting mayor. The Question continues his descent into a lifestyle of violence, forsaking his former Zen ways, showing the depths of his feelings for Myra and Hub City.
Lady Shiva and the Riddler show up, reminding us that Hub City is in the DC Universe, albeit in the dirty, shadowy section. Speaking of shadows, I really like Malcolm Jones III's inks in this volume. I didn't realize how much of the feel of the early Sandman issues was due to him until I saw his inks on The Question. Denys Cowan's art gives the book the feel of a EC Comics crime book, especially with Jones on the inks.
While there's a boob and a curse here and there, the "Suggested for Mature Readers" label seems to be because of the realistic subject matter, corruption and greed. This book was way ahead of its time. In fact, most comics have yet to catch up.
As with his Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Dennis O'Neil shows the potential super hero comics have to tell more human stories, something a lot of comics still fail to do. 4 out of 5 stars.
June 3, 2014
Another good volume of The Question. Every individual story in this volume is unique and has something going for it. The conclusion to the mayor's race really should have gone in vol 4, but it's a strong dramatic piece. The ridder issue is just fun. The Stars and Stripes issue has great metaphysics. And the 3-parter that ends things off is nice action-adventure.
February 19, 2018
It's the end of Hub City's election season as O'Neil continues The Question's crusade against crime. Stories range from absurdly dark to zany, and Vic Sage has come a long way since his year-long zen training. The issues continue to display some philosophical elements. I'd say that this trade loses a little bit of steam, but not too much that it's not enjoyable.
May 16, 2021
While not as a strong as Welcome to Oz, Riddles continues to explore what becomes of Hub City amongst a chaotic regime change. There are some interesting points in this story, such as the issue involving Tot's brother and the concept of drawing something into reality, but I feel these moments are not expanded on enough. I am grateful, however, for O'Neil's continued streamlined storytelling.
November 10, 2022
I'm not really about the whole political story in this series but it picks up when Shiva enters the scene.
June 3, 2024
Always love Lady Shiva, and glad to see that pulled through. Vic continues to be one of the most compelling characters I've followed.
July 20, 2012
Arranqué la serie sin tener mucha idea de qué iba, gracias a que conseguí varios tacos muy baratos en Mar del Plata, y me terminé volviendo un gran fan de Vic Sage y compañía. En su momento fui consiguiendo los tomos al tuntún, y así mismo los fui leyendo.
Algún día debería pegarle una buena releída integral en orden cronológico.
Algún día debería pegarle una buena releída integral en orden cronológico.
May 25, 2015
Con su ciudad sumida en la anarquía, Vic Sage tiene un encuentro con un enigmático personaje de su pasado mientras trata de salvar la vida de la alcaldesa. El policial deja lugar a la Tierra de Nadie en una serie que número a número muestra un perfil más humano.
May 31, 2018
Sexto y anteúltimo taco recopilatorio español cuyo contenido coincide en su mayoría con el quinto tomo en inglés.
April 1, 2015
Gritty but good, though with some problematic aspects, such as a line about "inscrutable" asians. Appropriately, there's a fair bit of Rorschach in this version of the Question.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews