Mister Miracle #12 (Review): As The Curtain Closes

MISTER MIRACLE #12 Writer: Tom King Artist: Mitch Gerads

Published by: DC Comics

9/10

From the first issue of the series, it was clear this wasn't going to be your typical "superhero" story. This issue makes this statement as true as ever.

Throughout the series, the reader is taken on a wild ride through the psyche of Scott Free, Mister Miracle. From the first issue where he tries to take his own life to this final issue, we as readers were constantly questioning whether any of this was "real". Was Scott dead, was he crazy and just imagining all of this.

What we got from Tom King and Mitch Gerads was one of the most compelling, thought provoking and unique comics in the history of the medium. They threw away the usual superhero tropes and brought us a flawed hero that was suffering, and at times unsure of himself. By the end of this story we're left with a somehwhat ambiguous ending.

Throughout the story Scott is visited by all of the people who have died previously. Granny Goodness all but confirms that Scott is dead. She tells him that he should've come back, that Metron was the signal and he lost his chance.

So we're left with the question "Where is he?". Bug tells him he's in Hell, which has the raging war of Apokolips and New Genesis. He also tells him that he had a chance to escape, but he decided not to. But later the issue, Orion leads us to believe that Scott is in Heaven, symbolized by his life with Barda, Jacob and his newborn daughter.

While it's not really made clear where Scott "is" by the end of the issue, we are left with a foreshadowing promise by Mister Miracle himself. “I can always escape,” he says as the issue takes it final bow. Confirming what many of us were already thinking leaving, that even death can’t keep the world’s greatest escape artist down for good.

This story is sure to be a classic. Tom King's writing throughout this series has been some of his best work. He crafted an intimate and personal story told through Scott's words. Mitch Gerads art has been mind bending perfectly executed. I can't imagine this book brought to life with any other artist. These two creators took us on a rollercoaster ride of insanity and emotions. They crafted a story worthy of Jack Kirby's legacy and I'm sure he's looking down, proud of what these two creators have accomplished. This book is an example of what a comic book can and should be.