Title:
The Big Boom: The Conflagration Man, Part 3
Date of Publication
February 1990
Cover Price
Our Rating:
Credits:
Eduardo Barreto
Cover Penciler
Comic Book Synopsis / Plot
The alchemical symbol for cobalt directs Doc Savage to the exclusive Cobalt Club, where he meets the Shadow in his guise as Lamont Cranston. The Shadow has discovered the identity of the mastermind behind the theft of the ray from the call Johnny Malone made just before his death. The villain is munitions maker Compton Moore, who is planning to use the ray to sabotage American bases to convince the US government of the need for a bigger arsenal. Ham (disguised as mobster Al Ombra) and Monk are Moore’s prisoners as is Vivian Roy, who is impressed with Moore’s wealth and power. Monk and Ham are ordered eliminated by Moore but are rescued by Harry and Margo, unaware that this is part of a scheme to lead the heroes into a trap. Having been told by ex-Malone henchman Kelly that Moore’s target is a Manhattan armory, the Shadow and Doc have the area evacuated and enter the building. Kelly sends the signal to Moore’s right-hand man Fodder who triggers the ray, destroying the armory, and killing the hapless Kelly and apparently, our two heroes.
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Reviews
By Peter Silvestro
This issue is a bit plot-heavy, having to introduce the new villains, and move the story from Shadow to Doc Savage territory. It also gives us a stronger emphasis on the Shadow’s agents and Doc’s aides, allowing them to interact more, contrasting the juvenile Monk and Ham with the more sophisticated Margo and Harry. Not to worry, the two heroes meet at the beginning, with the modest Doc subtly besting the more arrogant, intense Shadow, and walking into a trap at the end. Still, the issue seems more than a little awkward without the anchoring presence of the stars. The most interesting angle is having the putative heroine warming up to the villain, providing a lot of irony in her father’s worry, and giving the story its most unusual touch. To be honest, I assumed she was faking, simply because the standard formula requires it.
Score: 3 (out of 5)