Going Into The Wild Places

Last time we checked up on Travis Morgan, the Warlord, a character created by Mike Grell. Today we’re going to look at the next six issues of the book Grell was working on in 1986, Jon Sable, Freelance #34-39 (First Comics, 1986).

One of the first things to note is that the book becomes a First Comics Deluxe Series with issue #34 meaning that it gains a few extra story pages and the paper quality used is better. The first two issues we’re looking at today form a somewhat gritty arc as Jon shows up in a small Idaho town where he meets up with a Native American guide and sets out on a “hunting” trip. In the wilderness, Jon explains to his guide that they are there to do more than shoot animals. “Not just to hunt ... to learn,” he says. “And to get back some of what I lost.”

His guide, Winter Wolf, replies sagely, “There are things a man can only find in himself ... but sometimes you have to go to the wild places to look.”

There are some truly wonderful wildlife illustrations in this first issue as Jon relearns about the woods and the pair explore the wild world. The violence comes in when John and Winter Wolf stumble across a camp of survivalists who have kidnapped several women.

Issue #36 is somewhat lighter in tone. Jon is back home in New York, and Grell uses the opportunity to move him around the city, checking in with various supporting cast members and seeing how everyone is getting along. Along the way, Jon and Myke “accidentally” run into a woman named Claudine Jobert who hires Jon as a guide/tracker for an expedition to Africa in search of a legendary ivory ape statue. Jon is somewhat reluctant at first, doubting the statue even exists, but sees the trip as a chance to show Myke his former home. This issue sets up the next arc which plays out over issues 37-39.

The African safari story line offers some more gorgeous wildlife art. As far as plot, Madame Jobert quickly reveals herself to be a self-important, selfish woman with no regard for nature or other people. Jon prevents her from needlessly killing an elephant, but later, she wounds a jaguar, forcing Jon to track it down and finish it off. Jon is very seriously wounded in his effort to dispatch the wounded cat, but this tragedy works in his favor. While he is laid up and the little band is forced to make camp for several days, Jon notices a series of “secret messages” being send between Madame Jobert and someone else.

After Jon recovers from his injuries, he first proves that the ivory ape was indeed a hoax, then must take desperate measures to save his own and Myke’s life from Madame Jobert, who is really the person responsible for the murders of Jon’s family. She has brought him here to Africa in an effort to trap and kill him, as well. Overall, these are some truly excellent comics, both in terms of art and story.