Resurrection Day Review
Resurrection Day
Review by Gary Chaloner
Who would you have resurrected from the dead for the good of mankind today? You have only one chance… one choice: Lincoln? Edison? Newton? A much loved and missed relative perhaps?
This is the problem facing Doc and his crew — and when you throw in the interference of a superb master criminal (General Ino) and his mild-mannered-but-maniacal number two (Proudman Shaster), you have a fantastic premise for a Doc adventure.
After finding a way to resurrect a human body from the dead, Doc lets his intentions be known to the general public and asks for their choice in who the subject should be. The whole United States joins in the event, with Doc’s headquarters being surrounded by thousands of people to witness the proceedings.
Things get even more interesting when Ino decides to go head-to-head with Doc in an attempt to gain a fortune. A brave man indeed. Brave — or insane.
But not as insane as his deputy, Proudman Shaster, who, while very aware of the dangers in trying to out-fox the Man of Bronze — goes along for the ride anyway. These two characters develop into a pair of the most fascinating — even likable — villains I have read in a Doc adventure.
Shaster leaves a grisly trail of headless bodies and bodiless heads all through the proceedings — from London and New York to Arabia and Egypt. And to top things off, most of the adventure’s desert climax features Doc’s aides running around buck naked after having their clothes ripped from them by murderous Arab thugs!
All of the brothers are in this adventure, as are Habeas Corpus and Chemistry. Pat is not mentioned. Despite the lack of a pretty face, though, I enjoyed Resurrection Day; a great deal. It has everything you would want in a Doc tale.
Major Gripe: I can’t help wondering what Doc would have said to the American people after his return to New York. He must have used up a few favors, that’s for sure.
Favorite Scene: A shoot out between Doc and his men and General Ino’s thugs outside the Hidalgo Trading Company while a confused mummy wanders amongst the carnage! Ha!
Rating: 9/10
