Writer Steve Gerber presents an interesting spin on how to reintroduce a classic character into a contemporary setting, with some insightful characterization, twisted suspense, and laying out the foundations for upcoming plot lines.

Unfortunately he became ill and passed away while working on this series so his original vision was never completed. This volume includes four alternate endings written by different writers, all friends of Gerber’s, as a tribute making it one of the more unusual comics collections. ( )

Dr. Fate is one of those heroes that I remember always seeing as a kid and thinking "He is so cool". But as far as I can remember I've never read a comic with Dr. Fate in it. So it was fun to finally get to know him. I tend to enjoy magical superheroes more other types because they usually have some kind of fantasy plot going on and I'm a fantasy fan. This one didn't disappoint. ( )

Trippy.

I picked this up because I'd read about the current Islam themed Dr Fate - and looked for more after reading the first volume. This is an earlier incarnation of Dr Fate (though not the original) - very interesting and kind of a cliffhanger since the artist Gerber died before continuing. But fabulous art and an interesting story..... ( )

Writer Steve Gerber died while working on this series, leaving the story without a conclusion. An unheralded genius, Gerber penned long runs on Daredevil, The Sub-Mariner, Omega the Unknown, Defenders, Man-Thing, and his seminal creation Howard The Duck. Though creating nothing as lasting nor as important as Howard within, Gerber successfully reintroduced Dr. Fate, the Golden Age mage, into the contemporary DC universe. In a gutsy move, DC allowed four different writers to create possible endings while emulating late author's style. In Dr. Fate.: Countdown to Mystery, Gerber used his trademark elements of the fantastic and topical intertwined with the goofy and terrifying. The book serves as a fitting tribute to Steve Gerber and his reality-bending stories.
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