Spirit, The - Achives, Volume 17 (Spirit Archives)
The latest volume reprinting Eisner's 1940s masked-crimefighter classic includes some of the most celebrated stories of the comic's 12-year run. Among them are tales of two of Eisner's most dangerous femmes fatale, treacherous French nightclub dancer Plaster of Paris and Lorelei Rox, a siren who lured truck drivers to their doom, and one of Eisner's personal favorites, the story of nebbishy Gerhard Shnobble, who miraculously took flight, to the world's utter disregard. The less-renowned pieces here deliver their rewards, too. By this time, eight years intoThe Spirit, Eisner was sending the hero to such exotic locales as Latin American "crook sanctuary" Caramba, "crime capital of the world"; south of the border, where the Spirit masqueraded as a matador; and out west, where he donned cowboy togs to track down a legendary gunslinger. Eisner's hallmark cinematic layouts, expressive drawing, and singular blending of drama and comedy were at their zenith. Libraries unwilling to spring for all 20-plus volumes of this landmark project at least ought to pick up this showcase of vintage Eisner.Gordon FlaggCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved