A new issue of “MIND MGMT”, another hunt for codes and Easter eggs in a new edition of Minding MIND MGMT. Because each new issue of Matt Kindt’s monthly series is overflowing with hidden clues and interwoven narratives, a standard review just doesn’t cut it. This column will provide in-depth analysis and help you navigate the overlapping plots.
The Cover
If you look close at the right side of the Magician’s face, you can see some gray lines which betray her illusion. The font used for the “Master of Delusions!” slogan is very close, but not exactly, the same originally used for old logos like “Tales to Astonish” or “Journey into Mystery.” It’s been used widely for other logos [beware the claws of the cat] since, of course. The pull quote this month is from Harry Houdini, the famous magician. Considering he died in 1926, his comment on this comic is quite a trick indeed.
The Second Floor
In 19 panels, Kindt provides a handy summary of the previous 18 issues. He leaves out most of the interesting bits (like the present day plot from issues 0-6), but hits everything essential to catch a reader up to the events of this issue. The panel with the half-hidden PK Verve is the only one to which isn’t 100% accurate – the Eraser was falsely convicted of his murder.
The main story
This arc is centered on the Magician, or rather, a magician. Magic was first introduced to “MIND MGMT” back in issue 6. According to the second floor, it was only an active department for a few years in the 70s. The Magician starring in this issue had a cameo on page 9, next to the Homemaker. A different magician was featured in issue eleven’s second floor, described as the most gifted of the ‘Magic five.’ Two more appear are shown, and they appear to be famous comic writers. (thanks whoever!) Assuming Professor Agement is also a member, that leaves one unaccounted for.
After stops in suburban America and Nepal, the Meru Crew make their way to Berlin to recruit the Magician. The Magician is the narrator for this chapter, and her boxes get a light gray color. The second panel features a first for the series – this is the first time a word has been made bold to show emphasis. The long, narrow panels on this page are refreshing and effective, but it looks like they were laid out before the dialogue was finalized. Notice how Meru’s dialogue in the third panel is covering Dusty, Perrier, and Bill?
Page three finally fulfills the promise from issue 8, when Perrier told Meru that Dusty is an asshole. Since then, he’s only had one or two snarky lines. Here, he really kicks it into high gear as he antagonizes Meru. This scene may also be a clue to how Meru’s powers work. Until now, Meru’s abilities have seemed very inconsistent – they didn’t stop Lyme from manipulating her for seven years, but they did allow her to see through Jason Corridor’s manipulations.
When Professor Agement goes on stage to weave her illusions, we know it’s working, because Duncan and Lyme discuss it. Meanwhile, the rest of the Meru crew are out in an alley discussing Meru’s powers and questioning if they’re far enough away. Meru is standing in the same spot the whole time, but the moment she thinks about affecting the Magician, the illusions inside the theater begin to fail.
It seems that Meru only has control over her abilities when she doesn’t try to use them. In issue 0, she caught on to Corridor without trying. In issue six, she wanted so badly to resist Lyme’s amnesia, but couldn’t.
Page four begins a split narrative which will continue throughout the issue. The panels on the left side of the page have a whiter background and look like they’ve been torn out of another book. With the exception of page four and five, where her narration carries over to the right side of the page, you can read only the white background panels and get a full story. On page nine, the other panels begin to be colored green, red, or yellow. Each color corresponds to a separate plotline. You can read them all in the regularly arranged order to see how they connect, or you can read them individually for a more linear narrative.
Continued belowOn page ten, the Magician reveals she went AWOL from the agency some time ago. This gives her a very different relationship to MIND MGMT than the other former agents. She says she hoped to create an illusion big enough to stay hidden, but obviously failed considering her current whereabouts were in Shangri-la.
The green panels follow Duncan and Lyme, who get in some good buddy cop style conversations during their hunt. The red ones follow the Eraser’s team, and we see more of the message-on-a-cup communications first seen in issue 14. The yellow panels follow Meru, Bill, and Dusty to Hong Kong, where they search for a good flux safe house. On page eleven, Bill casually mentions finding plenty while he and Meru were off on their own. Those travels will apparently be the focus the Mind Memos for this arc, but more on that later.
On page 12, Duncan mentions some caverns in Missouri. That adventure (minus the naked Lyme) was glimpsed briefly in issue 11, page 10. Incidentally, Missouri is a state rich in limestone, and really does have many large cave and cavern systems.
The retirement home seen on page 16 is across a courtyard from the building where Links and the immortals are hiding – note the window outside the building and the shadow behind Links on page 19. Duncan and Lyme are told it’s in Berlin, which means two things. First, the Magician didn’t run far after her last performance. Second, Duncan and Lyme must have been following a bad trail if they thought they were closing in on her.
Like Meru and the others, the Eraser and the Homemaker have also decided to set up a headquarters in Hong Kong. This might be coincidence, or based on some unknown connection between MIND MGMT and the island. The first safe house Meru considered (page 15) was under construction, and on page 20 we find out it’s being renovated for the Eraser.
The large panel on page 22 gives us an idea of how successful the Eraser has been at recruiting. Near as I can tell, none of the people shown have appeared before. There looks to be a couple monks, and one has a scar similar to the ones Russian Zero agents get. Of the bunch, I think the shaggy old guy with the goggles looks the most interesting. And remember, this gathering is only part of the story. There are several agents not pictured, including Anthers Kindle and the guy with the burning touch from issue 14.
The giant referenced by the bartender (‘Jewel’ is capitalized – maybe that’s her name?) is probably a reference to the one previously depicted in issue 11 on page 9. At the time, I noted the possible connection to “3 Story,” a previous Kindt work starring a giant man. This speculation will either be confirmed or laid to rest in the next issue or two.
Mind Memo
This arc continues the trend of the last two volumes where the memos tell one continuous story. Well, two stories, actually. The speech balloons are a conversation between Meru and Bill which is set during their time off between issues 12 and 14. Apparently, they spent at least part of their trip locating safe houses. Meanwhile, the captions give an account of a particular safe house – in this case, the first one in Hawaii. The blond recruited by Tanner is reading “Beast with a Thousand Faces”, which is a PK Verve book previously seen in issue 16 and in “Revolver.”
The Letter Column
The letter column starts with a note from Brendan which includes a plug for Kindt’s most recent graphic novel, “Red Handed.” It’s really good. You should buy it. After Cory MacDonald’s great letter, Brendan also mentions that the third volume of “MIND MGMT” will have some exclusive extras, which is exciting, but also surprising considering the talk about not rewarding tradewaiters at the series’ inception.
The Back Cover
At first glance, the back cover seems incomplete, featuring half the main title and a burning city. BUT! If you noticed the posters for Professor Agement’s show (most clearly visible on page 12), you know the other half of it has already been revealed. However, the real significance of the image only becomes clear when you consider the close up of Agement’s poster on page 13 – A figure clearly identifiable as the Eraser is holding back demons. Taken together, the implication is the Eraser watching Zanzibar burn.
This fits with another clue previously hidden in the Anthers Kindle short in “Dark Horse Presents” #32, when there were discussions of assassinating Lyme before the Zanzibar massacre.
A few months ago, I put out a request for anyone who was lucky enough to buy one of the 100 sketch covers for issue 13 to email me a picture of their sketch so others could enjoy them too. Here’s another one of Meru, sent in by Rick. Thanks for reading, Rick!
Around the web
Images and Nerds had some nice things to say about “MIND MGMT” last month. Meanwhile, Graphixia took a deeper look at how Kindt uses water colors to tell the story effectively.
If you’d like to read some more standard reviews of this issue, Comic Book Roundup is the best place to fine them.
Writing for the New York Times, Dana Jennings suggested “MIND MGMT” would make a good television show. I guess she hasn’t heard it’s being made into a film?
And that’s all this month
If you spotted something I missed, or if you had a different interpretation of events, please share your thoughts in the comments!
Previously, on Minding MIND MGMT…
Issues: #0 #1 #3 #4 #5 #6 DHP #19 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 DHP #31
#18
Interviews: Matt Kindt Brendan Wright Matt Kindt (2)
Annotations: Volume one
