In Doctor Tomorrow #1, we met Gretchen. She attends High School with Bart Simms in Berkeley, California, and tutors him in Science. While she shows aptitude for the subject, and tries to inspire him with a sense of the wonder of the universe, Bart merely wants to pass the class. In fact, this seems his approach to life. She cannot fault him in this. He has lost his mother, and his father's job frequently takes him out-of-town. So when anything goes wrong--when he encounters a barrier--Bart just tries to plow through it on his own.
Sadly, because Bart isn't prepared to meet those challenges, he usually fails. As his father isn't around to help him through those difficulties, Gretchen frequently comes to his aid.
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| Preorder cover by Barry Kitson & Ulises Arreola |
If you've read the first three issues of Doctor Tomorrow, you'll know that young Bart has met a lot of interesting people. He's met two scientists from a parallel universe, one a Human like him, and another a Saurian, or sentient Dinosaur. He's met many of the Valiant heroes we know and love, such as Bloodshot, Quantum & Woody, the giant robot GIN-GR, and this blog's namesake, X-O Manowar. Most importantly, he's met two older versions of himself from other parallel universes. One drafted him into a titanic battle in New York to fight the other. What occurred there, and how those drastically different versions of himself interacted, made him wonder how much he could trust either of his counterparts.
In Doctor Tomorrow #4, young Bart finds himself in a different Berkeley, California, where he encounters an older version of Gretchen.
In fact, Bart busts in on a ceremony intended to honor Gretchen.
Young Bart's message is urgent and dire. He needs help not only to save his own universe, but all the universes that make up the multiverse. Even this older Gretchen's universe could be destroyed if she doesn't come to his assistance.
Gretchen is shocked by young Bart's appearance, let alone his appeal. She knew the Bart Simms in her universe much longer, before his older counterpart departed under tragic circumstances. Yet in this teenage Bart, she sees the same desire to break down barriers. To plow through difficulties, instead of preparing himself to resolve difficult situations with ability and respect.
This Gretchen has seen the catastrophic results of her former friend's approach. She wants a different and better future for this young Bart. She wants to enable him to resolve any problems and conflicts he will face in life, not just help him to survive the next crisis.
Under no circumstances will she fight young Bart's battles for him.
Through her wise counsel, Bart comes to understand why her city commissioned a statue of Gretchen.
In Doctor Tomorrow #4, Jim Towe's penciling and inking style meshes well with Alejandro Arbona's script. Likewise, colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick breathes life into this other Berkeley, California. While Letterer Clayton Cowles' contributions are more subtle, often the best art doesn't call attention to itself, but merely looks like it belongs. And don't forget about the artists who have designed three beautiful covers.
If you haven't signed up for the preorder editions, you have your choice of these two.
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| Doctor Tomorrow #4 Cover A by Kenneth Rocafort |
and
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| Cover B by David LaFuente and German Garcia |
Whichever cover you choose, make sure you pick up an issue of Doctor Tomorrow #4. After all, you want to discover how to prepare yourself for the demands of life, and how you can best contribute to your world, don't you?
Dragon Dave
Doctor Tomorrow #4 arrives in stores this Wednesday, July 29th.
