Doc Savage #5

Released by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: Apr. 9, 2014

The old hero finds himself in the present day, much the same as he ever was although some things have changed around his operation. Namely, they have to now have a very large number of employees. But the doctor is still Doc so when it comes to putting into place the satellite communications network in low-orbit, he's the one to do it.

While he and two others on his team (“Roughneck” Abbott and “Happy” van Oorschot) are there doing just that they receive the emergency update regarding the massive beam of destructive energy coming from space, boiling the waters off the L.A. coast but moving quickly toward land. A group named “Al-Kathra” claims responsibility but Doc doesn't panic but knows where this beam is most likely originating as it's a place he's been previously…

He then gets to tell Roughneck and Happy about the work the Nazis were doing in space right at the end of WWII and in the few years afterward. They created a satellite that functioned as basically a “sun gun.” It would focus reflected sunlight into a single, powerful beam so intense as to be able to melt stone. Doc and his team at the time foiled the Nazi plot to use it to destroy the U.S. but they couldn't dismantle it so they just left it in space. He figures Al-Kathra must've finally located this satellite and turned it to their purpose.

Having fought against it previously Doc's able to approach via the satellite's blind side and quickly gain access. He and Happy make their way toward its main cabin but when Happy spots some fresh graffiti inside, he realizes these aren't terrorists like they suspected. The term they're using comes from an old science-fiction book for parallel worlds where characters take drugs and can move between those worlds. Basically a whacked-out cult, they figure the only way to get to the next level is to burn Earth clean. Doc stops this plot and, after apparently taking prisoners, he uses their own ship as a nuclear warhead to crash into this weaponized satellite and destroy it once and for all.

As light and fast-paced as the original/source pulp this series written by Chris Roberson is sure to entertain long-time fans with these new stories. The artwork from Bilquis Everly is exquisitely detailed, keeping with the original series tradition, and the outstanding cover art from Alex Ross is a nice additional touch, too.