“Yesterday’s” Comic> Mantra #1

“Next time, I choose the Saturday night activities.”

Mantra #1

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (July, 1993)

“Reversal Of Fortune”

WRITER: Mike W. Barr

PENCILER: Terry Dodson

INKER: Al Vey

COLORIST: Paul Mounts

LETTERER: Tim Eldred

EDITOR: Chris Ulm

For centuries the agents of Archmage and Boneyard have battled by taking over a body after they’re killed. Tonight was different. One of their own betrayed them, and Boneyard has learned Archmage’s true name, which if you don’t know your wizard lore means Archmage’s enemy now has power over him. Killed again, the Archmage aged Lukasz finds himself in the body of Eden, a single mother he met earlier that night as the reconciling husband of a friend of a newly acquired body. Of course he ruined that immediately and now is in Eden’s body. He finds the last surviving member in the hospital, rapidly returning to her true age. She gives Lukasz/Eden an amulet designed for his new female body, turning her into Mantra. He heads to her home and sends the kids to bed just as one of the attackers find him.

I’m sorry, but I can’t judge this story critically and fairly. I am so not into this concept. Man trapped in a woman’s body? Fine, and no, it isn’t some “trans allegory” before you start celebrating. They just thought it would be interesting to see this male warrior trying to navigate womanhood. It’s the fact that ruining peoples’ lives seem to be a thing. We see Lukasz in two bodies and both were forced to give up their marriage, the first one even having a son. He even mentions that he doesn’t get to be a bachelor, which would be much easier. Eden has two children and a mom, plus his “arrival” upset her new boyfriend and that budding relationship. It all feels unnecessary to the simple idea of a warrior in a body he’s not prepared for.

Of course, this is also a magic story and fantasy is not usually my thing. The fact that I don’t care about this plot or this hero really doesn’t help. To be honest, I only read this one because the reading list I’m going by called it essential. I guess Mantra does show up in crossovers down the line or something, but for the most part I don’t care about his/her solo adventures and will not be continuing reading this series. I kind of knew this wasn’t going to be for me, but it is SO not for me that I can’t give it an honest review beyond the art’s pretty good. Sorry, this just doesn’t click for me, and it’s all personal opinion.