Larry (Horseman) Johnson created Zero Man in his youth (circa 1971) for Cool Comics #1. Zero Man, aka Gerard Thomas, is similar to Doom Patrol's Flex Mentallo, but Zero Man came first. He's a super-powered, circus performer (in the high-flying manner of Dick Grayson), and his arch foe is the sabotaging Nazi Ghost.
For this 68-page revival (based on a Tales of Fantasy #47 endeavor), the adventure is drawn and inked by small-press legend, Larry Blake (and newly colored by Johnson), in a vibrant style that echoes the splash of the moral-based past. To embed the exploit's nostalgia further, Johnson's tale not only recreates the honorable ardor of Golden Age comics, but the unpretentious gusto of old-time, movie serials. In other words, it really zips along.
The story is founded in WWII, its plot initiated by a flashback which reveals how Thomas was captured by the Germans and through harsh experimentation, turned into a man of extraordinary strength (ala Captain America), ready to swoop in to help whenever the metaphorical "zero hour" should strike.
Thereafter, we see Thomas' life jeopardized when a sailor is hypnotized by the wily Nazi Ghost to unleash a riled lion and bear upon him. In the quandary's aftermath, our hero does his best to deflect draft-dodger accusations from Louanna, a cantankerous, Midway, fat lady, as he seeks favor from his estranged, soldier brother, Ed, thus underscoring the tension with poignant reflection.
From start to finish, Zero Man is valiant and bright (even in light of its dark, wartime backdrop), propelled by patriotism and the importance of doing what's right. The result is, indeed, old-fashioned, but in the best possible way, with the edition supplemented by Johnson's original, Zero Man/Cool Comics covers; his original, Nazi Ghost story and expressive sketches, which became the basis for Blake's illustrations; insightful commentary by both Johnson and Blake; and even a segment that spotlights other circus-themed, superhero yarns.
For those who enjoy back-in-the-day efforts like Two-Fisted Tales and affectionate throwbacks like The Rocketeer, Zero Man will deliver the derring-do goods and then some.
Order at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD7V4YC4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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