Enigma

The Enigma trade paperback

What is the nature of existence? Is life inherently absurd? These may be rather lofty philosophical conundrums for a superhero comic, but they’re just two of the many themes in Enigma by Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo. Originally published as an eight-issue miniseries from March to October 1993, it is currently available as a trade paperback. It was one of the first comics by DC’s Vertigo imprint and helped establish the publisher’s reputation for bold storytelling and innovative artwork. It also has one of the sexiest splash pages I’ve ever seen in comics.

To describe Enigma as a superhero comic is almost a disservice. There is a man in a mask and cape who fights supervillains, but the main character is Michael Smith, a painfully ordinary man who gets caught up in the events of his favorite childhood comic book characters coming to life. The actual plot has more to do with his self-actualization than it does with rooftop battles and fights to the death. The creator of the comic within the story, Titus Bird, is gay, and forces Michael to confront painful truths about himself, the nature of existence, and his role in the events that are unfolding.

Peter Milligan’s words are sardonic but not mean, and quite comical when the identity of the narrator is revealed in the final panels. No matter how outlandish or esoteric the plot or words become, they remain grounded in Michael’s traumas and experiences. Duncan Fegredo’s artwork, meanwhile, is both exaggerated and nuanced. His facial expressions perfectly convey a wide range of emotions, even in the face of a lizard. The colors by Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh reflect the circumstances of the characters and the turmoil of their mindsets simultaneously.

Enigma was reissued back in January, which was long overdue. It was recently named by Steve Orlando as one of ten essential queer comics, and has been praised by various others. Personally, this is one of my favorite comics of all time. It played a pivotal role in my own sexual awakening, and I’m sorry that it took me so long to cover it here. It should be available wherever comics are sold.