DCAU #288: Sanctuary

IN THIS ONE... Dr. Fate helps Superman in a possession case.

CREDITS: Written by Mark Millar; art by Mike Manley and Terry Austin.

REVIEW: The reveal that the Egyptian spirit curse-possessing people is actually an alien stuck in some kind of Chariot of the Gods scenario, is a proper twist when Dr. Fate guest-stars - a sci-fi explanation where you expect a mystical one - but once you know that, there isn't a great deal of novelty here.

Face it, it's your basic "evil-ish spirit jumps from body to body in order to accomplish its goals in the material world" plot, and if it's meant to be remarkable the alien isn't a bad dude, the issue doesn't quite play fair with its audience. When the alien takes over Lois and Superman, they are both dangerous, and while there will always be some joy to be found in Lois back-handing Jimmy Olsen, it does seem like they're not just acting like "vehicles". They have evil red eyes and are very aggressive, and that just can't be reconciled with the alien's actual intent no matter how bad a "driver" it is. The story will do anything to ensure some violence, but a Dr. Fate story need not have headed in that direction.

Feels like a worthy attempt, but it actually doesn't work that well.
REREADABILITY: Medium-Low - Comes across as dull and misleading, but it's not the worst Dr. Fate story in the world.

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