The Stop Button

There’s no globe-trotting this story, just Phil hanging out in New York and investigating a spy ring. There’s so little back story we never even find out what foreign power is buying government secrets; we don’t even find out why the federal employee selling the documents is risking execution for treason.

But none of that brevity matters because it’s not just Williamson illustrating New York, it’s Williamson illustrating a packed New York. There are veritable street scenes in the strip, with Phil walking through groups of people and landmarks in the background. Even when it’s not landmarks, Williamson’s city scenes are magnificent.

Goodwin moves things real fast–getting in one or two more plot points than usual. It seems like the pair are hitting their stride on Corrigan. This story is the best so far and twice as good as the last “best so far.”

It’s darned good.

CREDITS

Writer, Archie Goodwin; artist, Al Williamson; publisher, King Features.