Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

It's adding a little needed diversity, as the character is Egyptian-American.   As far as I know - and I know very little about Egyptian mythology - they aren't doing horrible things, but I have no doubt there is a little fudging to have the Egyptian mythology fit the DC-verse.  

I find that's true of any mythology, though.   Marvel's Norse mythology, for example, doesn't do horrible things as far as I understand it, either, at least not with some of the major characters.   They are, however, dealing with gods and mythology transplanted from ancient times to modern times; even having them adjust to the technology is going to be re-imaging them in certain ways. 

I could be wrong.   As I said, I know very little about Egyptian mythology and little more about Norse.   I have, quite frankly, more interest in comic books and those narratives.  I do know that it's nice to see less white men, more women, more people of color, and more people coming from other customs.   This doesn't feel quite as honest as, say, Ms. Marvel, which is written by a woman and convert to the Muslim religion.   (Details about the manner of dress and so on feel like they're being told from someone who's intimately aware of the religion and culture; I didn't feel that in Dr. Fate.   It may be too early to tell how true this will be, though.)

I do hope some of the issues of immigrants comes into play.   When comics decide to tackle issues, they tend to do so very seriously and very well, even if they do so through humor.   The writers tend to treat social ills with the gravitas it deserves, and I'd hate to see the new Dr. Fate become someone who doesn't take on some issues that are still very much at the forefront of society today.   (As I write this, I'm also listening to a debate on anti-semitism, how Muslims are treated in the world, and racism in general.   Because clearly it's still very important, especially when Trump is brought in as an example of racism still very central to politics and how our world works.)

So far, it's been setting up the story and there's been a brief conversation about Khalid's father, and the fact that he was from Egypt.   (His mother seems very... pale.   I'm guessing she's American, born and bred, partly due to skin color, and partly due to the fact that she and her husband act so differently.   If pressed, I'd argue that the authors are going for cultural disparity there, and if so, I think it's working to set up this situation.   But again, I could find it's different a couple issues further down the line.)

The way the mythology works in this universe has been set up, though.   The family dynamics have been pretty well defined, especially considering that Khalid hasn't been in the same room as his mother, and has only briefly been in the same place with his father. The phone conversation in particular was illuminating and was between Khalid and his mother.    It's not surprising we didn't get much of this, because Khalid's backstory - he's going to medical school, and he has a girlfriend - is also established.   Again, it's not that much - but it's a first issue, and not even a double sized issue. 

Basically, enjoying this so far, although it's also not a favorite series - at least not yet.   It might be later on, when I get more information and see Khalid in action and interacting with the world in general a bit more.   It's harder, though, for DC characters to grab me from the beginning.   I have very little knowledge when it comes to Dr. Fate.   (He was on a couple issues of a show with Red Tornado, I know that.)   I have little expectations, and also little built in attachment.   When I start a new Deadpool or Doctor Strange or Avengers title, I know the history and the characters, and I already feel fond about some part of that Marvel series.   I'm predisposed to like them. 

Not so with Dr. Fate   Had I known more, or felt more, for this character in the first place, this would have been a slightly higher star rating.   Batgirl truly blew me away.   This series has my attention, but just isn't on the same level as Batgirl of Burnside in my opinion.   I have two more issues from a grab bag, and I'm certainly willing to give those two a shot - and then go over the purchase more or not issue after those two issues.