The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives #1

Writer: Jen Van Meter Artist: Roberto de la Torre Publisher: Valiant Comics Release Date: December 23, 2015 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 10 User Reviews: 1
8.2Critic Rating
7.5User Rating

In time, even the dead may die...and, now, after multiple 2015 Harvey Award nominations, the most sought-after couple in comics returns with an all-new adventure from Eisner Award-nominated writer Jen Van Meter (Hopeless Savages) and acclaimed artist Roberto de la Torre (Daredevil)!

Occult investigators Shan and Hwen Mirage lived their lives in the thrall of an epic love that few will ever have...until Hwen died tragically before his time. Now, after a perilous trip through the underworld, Shan and Hwen have been reunited...but Hwen is still an intangible spirit of the dead - incapable of opening a spellbook or even touching his wi more

  • 10
    The Broken Infinite - Frank Rodriguez Dec 23, 2015

    The art is absolutely is amazing. The writing is top notch. It is a great return of our good doctor. While there is elements of the first series here, Meter makes this first issue self contained enough that you don't need to read the first miniseries. This is definitely one of the best first issues I have ever read and I look forward to more. My only regret is that this isn't an ongoing. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Infinite Comix - Daniel Gehen Dec 24, 2015

    With just one issue, she and De La Torre " who's work is simply gorgeous " deliver a supernatural comic that captures the raw essence of love. This is a series you do not want to miss. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicWow!TV - Bhavna Bakshi Dec 29, 2015

    The first issue of this series alone is amazing. We get possessions (called “crashing” in this series), ghost family reunions, evil spirits being released into the world, and so much more. For anyone who is interested in the paranormal, this series is definitely for you. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Nerds Unchained - Connor Frigon Dec 29, 2015

    I had high hopes for Second Lives #1: I can safely it met all of them. Valiant has been on a high since launching The Valiant early this year. With a great cast and greater creative team, Second Lives keeps the ball rolling. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Geeked Out Nation - Jess Camacho Dec 23, 2015

    “The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives” #1 is a great return back to the romance between Shan and Hwen. What was one of Valiant's best last year looks to be one of their best in 2016. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Amy Okamoto Dec 21, 2015

    The Death Defying Doctor Mirage: Secret Lives #1 is a pleasure to read. Strong characters, an intriguing story, and unique art make this book a treat. Looking forward to the next issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Dec 30, 2015

    While I enjoyed the first series overall I'll admit that I'm wary about the second series. It's the ideal format for it but the convoluted approach that was used the first time around, and the somewhat drawn out nature of it as well, caused it to lose a lot of momentum along the way. This new miniseries is off to a solid start overall and I'm cautiously optimistic. Van Meter gives us a really engaging couple with Shan and Hwen while filling out the world with colorful and interesting characters and spirits, all of which De La Torre brings to life in his very interesting style and design. There's a great look about it that totally fits the book, though at times it feels like we get less defined characters in distinctive ways, causing things to blend a bit more than I would care for. All in all, if you liked the first series there's definitely a lot of potential here. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    PopOptiq - Logan Dalton Dec 22, 2015

    The Death Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives #1 is a fun, yet tragic Ghostbusters meet Indiana Jones paranormal adventure with an intelligent, complex female lead, who has a subtle sense of humor. As a first issue, there is a lot of set-up for future issues in the miniseries, but Jen Van Meter's writing keeps things interesting with a jet setting pace and a tender central relationship between Shan and her incorporeal hubby Hwen. Roberto de la Torre's art is a real treat with gorgeous cathedrals, churches, and libraries dotting the scenery to go along with his literally spectral linework. This comic is worth checking out for fans of supernatural and adventure stories and does an excellent job of introducing the character of Dr. Shan Fong-Mirage for those who didn't read the first miniseries (Like yours truly.) Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Horror DNA - James Ferguson Dec 27, 2015

    The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives mixes horror with romance in a way that works tremendously well.  You immediately care about Shan and Hwen and want to see them together.  They deserve it after all the pain and suffering they've been through.  They're thrown into some dangerous circumstances by the end of this first issue, but it's all worth it if it means they can at least touch each other again. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Resources - Jim Johnson Dec 24, 2015

    The achingly symbolic and visually striking regular cover by Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic captures the emotional essence of Shan and Hwen's difficult challenge, but it's a concept that isn't really capitalized on inside. "The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives" #1 doesn't really hit it off; a mildly compelling plot gives way to an expansion that's far less enticing, and -- by the issue's end -- there's really not much of a case being made for picking up the remaining three issues. Read Full Review

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