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Ms. Tree (Hard Case Crime) #2
Ms. Tree, Vol. 2: Skeleton in the Closet
From the minds of Road to Perdition author Max Allan Collins and artist Terry Beatty, comes the second collection of five classic Ms Tree comics. Follow the private investigator Ms. Michael Tree through even more thriling cases, as she races to solve crimes of passion, murder and intruige!
Join Ms. Michael Tree, the 6ft, 9mm carrying private detective on her thrilling adventures as she solves crimes and fights to get her revenge for her murdered husband. No case is too small, no violence too extreme, just as long as it gets the job done.
Collects: Ms. Tree Quarterly #2, #4-#6, #10
Join Ms. Michael Tree, the 6ft, 9mm carrying private detective on her thrilling adventures as she solves crimes and fights to get her revenge for her murdered husband. No case is too small, no violence too extreme, just as long as it gets the job done.
Collects: Ms. Tree Quarterly #2, #4-#6, #10
292 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2020
5 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Max Allan Collins
767Ìýbooks1,285ÌýfollowersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name . He and his wife, , have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name .
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリン�
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name . He and his wife, , have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name .
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリン�
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 18, 2024
An excellent volume.
These collections don't seem to go in a straight timeline, instead, they highlight some of the best stories.
The Devil's Punchbowl
A progressive look at the Satanic Panic as Ms. Tree looks into the murder of a young female Satanist in a small town.
Of course, nothing is what it seems, but Michael gets to the bottom of it all and dispenses her own brand of justice.
Again, the next issue about Ms. Tree's stepson, Mike, getting into a fight with a gay student that leads to Michael's involvement with a newspaper that is famous for "outing" celebrities and other prominent people, was very much ahead of its time. From Ms. Tree's dilemma when the vindictive editor decides to falsely "out" her and her colleague in a revenge scheme, to the coming out of a long-time character in a surprisingly sensitive way, this one did a decent job of showing what the climate was like for people before being openly gay was the norm in America.
Cry Rape
Before #MeToo date rape was something that a lot of people didn't want to admit was a thing. It's not that they necessarily thought it didn't happen, just that the girl shouldn't have put herself in that situation to start with. Yeah.
This one takes a look at both sides of the story as Mike Jr. is wrongly accused and Ms. Tree tries to get to the bottom of it.
The Horror Hotel
Ms. Tree & Dan take on a "case" where they have to spend the night in a haunted house with some paranormal researchers, mediums, and an exorcist. It's got a Haunting of Hill House vibe that keeps you guessing as to whether or not there's anything supernatural about what happens.
Roger's story
A black and white panel that gives off serious noir vibes as Roger reconnects with a woman he fell in love with years ago when she asks him for help.
Never trust a dame.
To Live and Die in Vietnam
Probably something that my kids wouldn't even know about, but for a time there was a portion of Americans who wanted answers about their loved ones who were MIA after the Vietnam war. A lot of bodies never made it home, which led to rumors of POW camps where soldiers were being tortured decades after the war ended.
Roger's best friend and Dan's older brother was one of these soldiers.
Dan and his parents have been fleeced again and again by scam artists claiming they knew where he was or had access to the body. A new con artist (or is he) appears and Roger refuses to help, but Ms. Tree decides to help Dan get some closure.
And, naturally, things go tits up.
There is also a really good short prose story Louise that deals with the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. I don't want to ruin anything but it's worth reading.
If you're a fan of hardboiled crime stories, you'll like Ms. Tree.
Highly Recommended.
These collections don't seem to go in a straight timeline, instead, they highlight some of the best stories.
The Devil's Punchbowl
A progressive look at the Satanic Panic as Ms. Tree looks into the murder of a young female Satanist in a small town.
Of course, nothing is what it seems, but Michael gets to the bottom of it all and dispenses her own brand of justice.
Again, the next issue about Ms. Tree's stepson, Mike, getting into a fight with a gay student that leads to Michael's involvement with a newspaper that is famous for "outing" celebrities and other prominent people, was very much ahead of its time. From Ms. Tree's dilemma when the vindictive editor decides to falsely "out" her and her colleague in a revenge scheme, to the coming out of a long-time character in a surprisingly sensitive way, this one did a decent job of showing what the climate was like for people before being openly gay was the norm in America.
Cry Rape
Before #MeToo date rape was something that a lot of people didn't want to admit was a thing. It's not that they necessarily thought it didn't happen, just that the girl shouldn't have put herself in that situation to start with. Yeah.
This one takes a look at both sides of the story as Mike Jr. is wrongly accused and Ms. Tree tries to get to the bottom of it.
The Horror Hotel
Ms. Tree & Dan take on a "case" where they have to spend the night in a haunted house with some paranormal researchers, mediums, and an exorcist. It's got a Haunting of Hill House vibe that keeps you guessing as to whether or not there's anything supernatural about what happens.
Roger's story
A black and white panel that gives off serious noir vibes as Roger reconnects with a woman he fell in love with years ago when she asks him for help.
Never trust a dame.
To Live and Die in Vietnam
Probably something that my kids wouldn't even know about, but for a time there was a portion of Americans who wanted answers about their loved ones who were MIA after the Vietnam war. A lot of bodies never made it home, which led to rumors of POW camps where soldiers were being tortured decades after the war ended.
Roger's best friend and Dan's older brother was one of these soldiers.
Dan and his parents have been fleeced again and again by scam artists claiming they knew where he was or had access to the body. A new con artist (or is he) appears and Roger refuses to help, but Ms. Tree decides to help Dan get some closure.
And, naturally, things go tits up.
There is also a really good short prose story Louise that deals with the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. I don't want to ruin anything but it's worth reading.
If you're a fan of hardboiled crime stories, you'll like Ms. Tree.
Highly Recommended.
November 6, 2020
Ms. Tree is a hard boiled detective reminiscent of Mike Hammer. That's not surprising since Max Allen Collins has also written some Mike Hammer novels with Mickey Spillane. The book was set and written in the 80's. It's definitely for mature audiences covering cases of Satan worship, homophobia, date rape, and missing POW's from Vietnam. It was quite innovative at the time, being one of the first comics to not only deal with homophobia but have a supporting character come out in the book. It also takes a hard look at date rape long before #MeToo ever existed. The other stories feel very Eighties with Satan worshipers, war buddies trying to find a missing POW, and spending a night in a haunted house. All in all, it's a solid book and I'm looking forward to Titan collecting more of the series.
December 3, 2022
Ms. Tree: Skeleton In The Closest collects Ms. Tree Quarterly 2, 4, 6, and 10 written by Max Allan Collins with art by Terry Beatty. The issues were originally released by DC Comics and have been republished under Titan Comic’s Hard Case Crime imprint.
Ms. Tree (Mystery - it just hit me today) is a hard-boiled detective who takes on satan worshippers, date rapists, homophobic murderers, Vietnamese gang lords, and even haunted houses.
The comic definitely pushed boundaries for its time by combating Satanic Panic, homophobia, and date rape before it was taboo to discuss the topics. Collins wasn’t afraid to put some of the main characters in the series in some very tough situations that make them very human.
I still find the issues collected to be in a strange order. This volume continues to collect the creators� DC Comics work, but it wasn’t in publishing order. Volume 1 could have easily been issues 1-5 and Volume 2 could have been issues 6-10 but it was decided to mix the issues in the two volumes. I really don’t understand the reasoning. It doesn’t hurt the book, but you can tell they are out of order. I’m still interested in reading more of Ms Tree’s exploits.
Ms. Tree (Mystery - it just hit me today) is a hard-boiled detective who takes on satan worshippers, date rapists, homophobic murderers, Vietnamese gang lords, and even haunted houses.
The comic definitely pushed boundaries for its time by combating Satanic Panic, homophobia, and date rape before it was taboo to discuss the topics. Collins wasn’t afraid to put some of the main characters in the series in some very tough situations that make them very human.
I still find the issues collected to be in a strange order. This volume continues to collect the creators� DC Comics work, but it wasn’t in publishing order. Volume 1 could have easily been issues 1-5 and Volume 2 could have been issues 6-10 but it was decided to mix the issues in the two volumes. I really don’t understand the reasoning. It doesn’t hurt the book, but you can tell they are out of order. I’m still interested in reading more of Ms Tree’s exploits.
October 20, 2020
Gorgeous, thrilling, wicked, wicked fun. Ms. Tree is something special. Only read this if you want to fall in love. Read it, then give it to someone else who wants to fall in love. Then we can all commiserate together that only two volumes are out so far. But fear not, my neighbor does time travel for C.L.O.C.K. and he said the omnibus will definitely be worth the wait. You might even want to buy two of those because the rights get all screwed up for a long time and it goes out of print.
October 9, 2023
This was great, and so far ahead of its time in how it handled some topics like gay rights, sex crimes and cover ups on campus and the “Satanic Panic� era in US popular culture.
This might be an uncomfortable read for current sensibilities but I’m ashamed to admit that lots of people did indeed talk and think exactly like this, or worse, in the late �80s and early �90s. I’m infinitely grateful my kids are growing up in these more enlightened times and I’m glad texts like this one exist to show us how far we’ve come and to serve as a counterweight to useless “life was happier and simpler back then…� nostalgia.
This might be an uncomfortable read for current sensibilities but I’m ashamed to admit that lots of people did indeed talk and think exactly like this, or worse, in the late �80s and early �90s. I’m infinitely grateful my kids are growing up in these more enlightened times and I’m glad texts like this one exist to show us how far we’ve come and to serve as a counterweight to useless “life was happier and simpler back then…� nostalgia.
July 3, 2021
This graphic novel is the second of six trade paperbacks from Hard Case Crime that will collect the entire Ms. Tree run of comics, sans a couple of crossover appearances. This volume collects the five standalone stories that appeared in Ms. Tree Quarterly, published by DC Comics from 1990-1993. These stories generally focus on sensational crimes in the news and/or topical social issues of the day.
These self-contained stories are not as engaging as the linked arc stories of the first collection, One Mean Mother. The highlight here is the genre-bending exorcism tale "Horror Hotel". The finale "To Live and Die in Vietnam" is also fun, but it does not feel like a proper wrap-up to the entire series.
Ms. Tree was the first and longest running female private eye in comics. Max Allan Collins' stories feature plenty of 1950's-styled hardboiled action. Terry Beatty's art is clean and perhaps just a shade retro. Ms. Tree herself is based on Velda, who was Mike Hammer's secretary in the Spillane novels. The premise of the series is actually based on the question: "What would happen if Mike Hammer were killed and Velda took over the agency?"
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"The Devil's Punchbowl" (1990) -- Ms. Tree investigates the murder of a missing teenager who was found in a state park with an inverted pentagram drawn on her stomach. Tree looks into a local Satanist cult, and she is shocked to find they view her as one of their heroes. She embodies their religious philosophy "Turn not the other cheek, seek revenge!"
"Skeleton in the Closet" (1990) -- Mike Tree Jr. gets into a fight with a gay student at his college, which brings out his negative feelings about homosexuals, many of which stem back to childhood trauma he endured at the hands of a serial killer pedophile. While Mike struggles to learn compassion, meanwhile the local gay student newspaper is engaged in the practice of "outing" people who do not want to be outed--which soon leads to murder.
"Cry Rape" (1991) -- A serial killer is stalking young coeds on the local college campus. Mike Tree Jr. is accused of date rape at a frat party. Can Ms. Tree solve the string of murders and clear her stepson's name at the same time? Of course she can!
"Horror Hotel" (1991) -- Ms. Tree accepts a lucrative job to provide security for a haunted hotel. It is just supposed to be a public relations stunt, but when a psychic medium is possessed by the soul of a long-dead millionaire, the bodies start to pile up.
"To Live and Die in Vietnam" (1993) -- Ms. Tree tries to help her friend Vic bring his brother's remains back from Vietnam, but a trip to Saigon turns deadly when they get caught in the crossfire between Vietnamese, American, and Hong Kong crime gangs.
Bonus features include "Robert's Story" (Issue #28), which provides necessary background material that sets up "To Live and Die in Vietnam". Also, the Edgar-nominated prose story "Louise" appears in this collection as well.
These self-contained stories are not as engaging as the linked arc stories of the first collection, One Mean Mother. The highlight here is the genre-bending exorcism tale "Horror Hotel". The finale "To Live and Die in Vietnam" is also fun, but it does not feel like a proper wrap-up to the entire series.
Ms. Tree was the first and longest running female private eye in comics. Max Allan Collins' stories feature plenty of 1950's-styled hardboiled action. Terry Beatty's art is clean and perhaps just a shade retro. Ms. Tree herself is based on Velda, who was Mike Hammer's secretary in the Spillane novels. The premise of the series is actually based on the question: "What would happen if Mike Hammer were killed and Velda took over the agency?"
Ìý
"The Devil's Punchbowl" (1990) -- Ms. Tree investigates the murder of a missing teenager who was found in a state park with an inverted pentagram drawn on her stomach. Tree looks into a local Satanist cult, and she is shocked to find they view her as one of their heroes. She embodies their religious philosophy "Turn not the other cheek, seek revenge!"
"Skeleton in the Closet" (1990) -- Mike Tree Jr. gets into a fight with a gay student at his college, which brings out his negative feelings about homosexuals, many of which stem back to childhood trauma he endured at the hands of a serial killer pedophile. While Mike struggles to learn compassion, meanwhile the local gay student newspaper is engaged in the practice of "outing" people who do not want to be outed--which soon leads to murder.
"Cry Rape" (1991) -- A serial killer is stalking young coeds on the local college campus. Mike Tree Jr. is accused of date rape at a frat party. Can Ms. Tree solve the string of murders and clear her stepson's name at the same time? Of course she can!
"Horror Hotel" (1991) -- Ms. Tree accepts a lucrative job to provide security for a haunted hotel. It is just supposed to be a public relations stunt, but when a psychic medium is possessed by the soul of a long-dead millionaire, the bodies start to pile up.
"To Live and Die in Vietnam" (1993) -- Ms. Tree tries to help her friend Vic bring his brother's remains back from Vietnam, but a trip to Saigon turns deadly when they get caught in the crossfire between Vietnamese, American, and Hong Kong crime gangs.
Bonus features include "Robert's Story" (Issue #28), which provides necessary background material that sets up "To Live and Die in Vietnam". Also, the Edgar-nominated prose story "Louise" appears in this collection as well.
December 3, 2022
This is the 2nd collection of 'comics' that I'v e enjoyed. It contains 5 or 6 individual graphic novels and one short story. Most enjoyable.
Ms. Tree, aka Mike Tree, runs a detective agency in Chicago. She took it over when her husband. also Mike Tree, was murdered on a case. She runs it with his partner, now hers and one other detective. The stories are all pulp detective stories at their best and they touch on very strong subjects; Satanism, homophobia, college rape, the Vietnam War and good old horror stories (the overnight stay in a haunted mansion classic tale).
Mike Tree is tough, hard-nosed detective who doesn't mind using her fists or guns to finish off a case. She has a reputation as the female Mike Hammer. She stands up for the underdog, her son-in-law (who features in some of the stories) and her friends. The police use her when they can't get justice following their own rules.
The artwork is excellent, and the stories action packed and nicely crafted. They might gloss over the issues covered but they cover them, making them important. Detective stories in the hard-boiled tradition placed in the graphic novel format. Most enjoyable. (4.0 stars)
Ms. Tree, aka Mike Tree, runs a detective agency in Chicago. She took it over when her husband. also Mike Tree, was murdered on a case. She runs it with his partner, now hers and one other detective. The stories are all pulp detective stories at their best and they touch on very strong subjects; Satanism, homophobia, college rape, the Vietnam War and good old horror stories (the overnight stay in a haunted mansion classic tale).
Mike Tree is tough, hard-nosed detective who doesn't mind using her fists or guns to finish off a case. She has a reputation as the female Mike Hammer. She stands up for the underdog, her son-in-law (who features in some of the stories) and her friends. The police use her when they can't get justice following their own rules.
The artwork is excellent, and the stories action packed and nicely crafted. They might gloss over the issues covered but they cover them, making them important. Detective stories in the hard-boiled tradition placed in the graphic novel format. Most enjoyable. (4.0 stars)
December 11, 2024
Ms.Tree is rarely the most subtle read, but it surprises you at times, and even when it doesn’t it’s fun as hell.
March 18, 2025
This is Volume 2 of Hard Case Crime's graphic novel Ms. Tree. Ms. Tree is a hard boiled dame and private investigator. She pulls no punches as she makes her way through corruption, betrayal and other issues as she solves crimes.
Not giving anything away, the story well done by Max Allan Collins, though the art work could have been better. DO NOT let this deter you if you enjoy graphic novels.
Not giving anything away, the story well done by Max Allan Collins, though the art work could have been better. DO NOT let this deter you if you enjoy graphic novels.
November 11, 2020
This has been on my reading list for ages... what a disappointment. Collins's intro talks about how he tried to get more topical (I hear reactionary):
Satanic Panic - sick silly souls.
Homophobia - learn about the Gay Agenda, outing people to create more positive role models
Date rape - radical feminist groups write the names of rapists on bathroom walls
The haunted house and MIA recovery stories were just as boring. Each story seemed a little too long with extra characters explaining things.
The art didn't impress me. The other detectives were pretty flat and sure, its good to see other homosexual characters but eyerolls for this line: "its not easy being gay in this country / its not easy being a one-eyed guy with a hook but you learn to live with it."
Satanic Panic - sick silly souls.
Homophobia - learn about the Gay Agenda, outing people to create more positive role models
Date rape - radical feminist groups write the names of rapists on bathroom walls
The haunted house and MIA recovery stories were just as boring. Each story seemed a little too long with extra characters explaining things.
The art didn't impress me. The other detectives were pretty flat and sure, its good to see other homosexual characters but eyerolls for this line: "its not easy being gay in this country / its not easy being a one-eyed guy with a hook but you learn to live with it."
June 16, 2022
Ms. Tree: Volume two, consists of six graphic novellas and one short story: The Devil’s Punchbowl, Skeleton in the Closet, Cry Rape, Horror Hotel, Roger’s Story, To Live and Die in Vietnam, and Louise.
June 19, 2024
En el interior de este segundo tomo recopilatorio hay historias muchÃsimo más atrevidas y complejas que en el primero. Se nota que los autores estaban madurando y querÃan ofrecer algo más que un simple entretenimiento con protagonistas planos, véase la detective Rambo que apaliza a todos los matones duros, los secuestros repetitivos con casos muy mal montados o las escenas de acción con disparos y puñetazos gratuitos por doquier. Poco a poco se indaga más en las inquietudes, en los secretos y en las debilidades de personajes importantes que hasta entonces eran mero relleno. Por poner algunos ejemplos, aquà asistimos a los prejuicios que se extendieron en algunos pueblos de Estados Unidos por culpa del pánico satánico y también aparecen asuntos de rabiosa actualidad como la homofobia, pero tratados de una manera muchÃsimo más inteligente y productiva que en la mayorÃa de propaganda capciosa que tratan de vendernos hoy en las series, el cine o en los propios comics.
Collins denuncia a los homófobos sÃ, pero también pone el foco en las personas que son tachadas de homófobos injustamente, en los matones que se hacen pasar por vÃctimas, en los gays que dan mala prensa a otros gays, en los acomplejados que no quieren admitir su orientación sexual, en la prensa rosa morbosa que no tiene escrúpulos, en fin, ya os podéis hacer una idea, trata todo el abanico de opciones y representa con fidelidad la realidad repartiendo culpas, en lugar de posicionarse descaradamente en un bando o en otro. Me encantarÃa ver ese ejercicio en los autores de ahora, porque últimamente lo único que encuentro es cuotas forzadas y un único discurso que rinde tributo siempre a lo polÃticamente correcto. Hemos perdido algo importante en estas últimas décadas, afortunadamente aún queda el recuerdo de estas joyas que dieron en el clavo, obras valientes que se publicaron sin censura ni autocensura.
English
Inside this second compilation volume there are stories that are much more daring and complex than in the first. It is clear that the authors were maturing and wanted to offer something more than simple entertainment with flat protagonists, see the detective Rambo who beats up all the tough thugs, the repetitive kidnappings with very poorly set up cases or the action scenes with gratuitous shootings and punches . everywhere. Little by little, we delve deeper into the concerns, secrets and weaknesses of important characters who until then were mere filler. To give some examples, here we witness the prejudices that spread in some towns in the United States due to the satanic panic and current issues such as homophobia also appear, but treated in a much more intelligent and productive way than in most misleading propaganda that they try to sell us today in series, movies or in comics themselves.
Collins denounces homophobes, yes, but he also focuses on people who are unfairly labeled as homophobic, on bullies who pretend to be victims, on gays who give other gays a bad press, on those with complexes who don't want to admit his sexual orientation, in the morbid tabloid press that has no scruples, well, you can get the idea, it deals with the entire range of options and faithfully represents reality, distributing blame, instead of blatantly positioning itself on one side or another. I would love to see this exercise in today's authors, because lately the only thing I find is forced quotas and a single speech that always pays tribute to what is politically correct. We have lost something important in this last decades, fortunately there is still the memory of these gems that hit the nail on the head, brave works that were published without censorship or self-censorship.
Collins denuncia a los homófobos sÃ, pero también pone el foco en las personas que son tachadas de homófobos injustamente, en los matones que se hacen pasar por vÃctimas, en los gays que dan mala prensa a otros gays, en los acomplejados que no quieren admitir su orientación sexual, en la prensa rosa morbosa que no tiene escrúpulos, en fin, ya os podéis hacer una idea, trata todo el abanico de opciones y representa con fidelidad la realidad repartiendo culpas, en lugar de posicionarse descaradamente en un bando o en otro. Me encantarÃa ver ese ejercicio en los autores de ahora, porque últimamente lo único que encuentro es cuotas forzadas y un único discurso que rinde tributo siempre a lo polÃticamente correcto. Hemos perdido algo importante en estas últimas décadas, afortunadamente aún queda el recuerdo de estas joyas que dieron en el clavo, obras valientes que se publicaron sin censura ni autocensura.
English
Inside this second compilation volume there are stories that are much more daring and complex than in the first. It is clear that the authors were maturing and wanted to offer something more than simple entertainment with flat protagonists, see the detective Rambo who beats up all the tough thugs, the repetitive kidnappings with very poorly set up cases or the action scenes with gratuitous shootings and punches . everywhere. Little by little, we delve deeper into the concerns, secrets and weaknesses of important characters who until then were mere filler. To give some examples, here we witness the prejudices that spread in some towns in the United States due to the satanic panic and current issues such as homophobia also appear, but treated in a much more intelligent and productive way than in most misleading propaganda that they try to sell us today in series, movies or in comics themselves.
Collins denounces homophobes, yes, but he also focuses on people who are unfairly labeled as homophobic, on bullies who pretend to be victims, on gays who give other gays a bad press, on those with complexes who don't want to admit his sexual orientation, in the morbid tabloid press that has no scruples, well, you can get the idea, it deals with the entire range of options and faithfully represents reality, distributing blame, instead of blatantly positioning itself on one side or another. I would love to see this exercise in today's authors, because lately the only thing I find is forced quotas and a single speech that always pays tribute to what is politically correct. We have lost something important in this last decades, fortunately there is still the memory of these gems that hit the nail on the head, brave works that were published without censorship or self-censorship.
June 3, 2023
This collection by Titan contains the second batch of Ms. Tree Quarterly issues published by DC Comics in the '90s. Since the order of the issues being collected was sliced up in the first volume to tell a comprehensive story, the second volume contains the "leftover" issues that don't exactly have the same build up towards an overarching story. Collected in this volume are issues #2, 4-6 of the Ms. Tree Quarterly issues and Ms. Tree Special #10. The issues all opt to tell individual standalone stories, most of which were entertaining, creative reads. The story follows Ms. Tree, a private investigator and widower, as she takes on a new case with each issue. While the first volume collects the issues leading up to Ms. Tree becoming a mother, the issues in this volume skirt around that plot point and tell standalone cases that can be read in mostly any order.
"The Devil's Punchbowl" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #2) is a story set in a small town stuck in the satanic panic mindset, whereby the locals fear that satanists are responsible for a series of grisly murders. Ms. Tree comes into town to investigate and finds that the satanic worshippers are easy scapegoats for a more entrenched conspiracy that consumes various institutions of the town.
"Drop Dead Handsome" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #4) centers on Ms. Tree's stepson, Mike Tree Jr., who has just started college and gets on the wrong side of a local publication about gay student life. Mike is taken to be homophobic and shunned by the larger student body, which he admittedly is, but the editors begin to take things too far. When the main editor is found dead, Ms. Tree comes in to investigate the murder and is determined to prove Mike's innocence despite evidence to the contrary. While there are some heavy handed moments regarding the handling of homophobia and acceptance, I thought most of this was rather deftly done for a comic written in the '90s.
"Cry Rape!" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #5) follows Mike's time in college, and this time he's on the wrong side of a rape accusation (that boy sure has some terrible luck). Ms. Tree investigates again, and this time frat/jock culture comes under scrutiny, but this story does a great job laying out some interesting plot twists.
"Horror Hotel" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #6) follows Ms. Tree helping a bunch of paranormal investigators who are trying to determine if a hotel is indeed haunted. Most of the story is exposition explaining why the hotel is haunted which was rather well written. The mystery itself is probably the weakest of the bunch though.
"To Live and Die in Vietnam" (Ms. Tree Special #10) follows Dan Green, Ms. Tree's right-hand man, as he tries to determine if he is being scammed into purchasing his deceased brother's bones that were lost during Vietnam. It's more of an action romp than the mystery thriller the previous issues were, and definitely less of a Ms. Tree story overall, but still was a fun read.
Overall, this volume collects weaker issues than the first one, but I still really enjoyed just about each one. Terry Beaty's artwork has a bit of a stilted look to it, but I think it adds a nice charm to the book. The colors are also really nicely done, and I hope that when I move on to the Eclipse/Renegade Press era of Ms. Tree collected in subsequent volumes, I won't miss the color work.
"The Devil's Punchbowl" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #2) is a story set in a small town stuck in the satanic panic mindset, whereby the locals fear that satanists are responsible for a series of grisly murders. Ms. Tree comes into town to investigate and finds that the satanic worshippers are easy scapegoats for a more entrenched conspiracy that consumes various institutions of the town.
"Drop Dead Handsome" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #4) centers on Ms. Tree's stepson, Mike Tree Jr., who has just started college and gets on the wrong side of a local publication about gay student life. Mike is taken to be homophobic and shunned by the larger student body, which he admittedly is, but the editors begin to take things too far. When the main editor is found dead, Ms. Tree comes in to investigate the murder and is determined to prove Mike's innocence despite evidence to the contrary. While there are some heavy handed moments regarding the handling of homophobia and acceptance, I thought most of this was rather deftly done for a comic written in the '90s.
"Cry Rape!" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #5) follows Mike's time in college, and this time he's on the wrong side of a rape accusation (that boy sure has some terrible luck). Ms. Tree investigates again, and this time frat/jock culture comes under scrutiny, but this story does a great job laying out some interesting plot twists.
"Horror Hotel" (Ms. Tree Quarterly #6) follows Ms. Tree helping a bunch of paranormal investigators who are trying to determine if a hotel is indeed haunted. Most of the story is exposition explaining why the hotel is haunted which was rather well written. The mystery itself is probably the weakest of the bunch though.
"To Live and Die in Vietnam" (Ms. Tree Special #10) follows Dan Green, Ms. Tree's right-hand man, as he tries to determine if he is being scammed into purchasing his deceased brother's bones that were lost during Vietnam. It's more of an action romp than the mystery thriller the previous issues were, and definitely less of a Ms. Tree story overall, but still was a fun read.
Overall, this volume collects weaker issues than the first one, but I still really enjoyed just about each one. Terry Beaty's artwork has a bit of a stilted look to it, but I think it adds a nice charm to the book. The colors are also really nicely done, and I hope that when I move on to the Eclipse/Renegade Press era of Ms. Tree collected in subsequent volumes, I won't miss the color work.
November 11, 2020
Once again Max Allan Collins proves what a great writer he is. Ms Tree: Skeleton In The Closet is full of terrific crime/mystery stories, stories that cover all kinds of themes. In this collection we have devil worshipping, gay rights, haunted houses & Vietnam soldiers missing in action and every single one of them is fabulously written and superbly drawn. The team of Collins and Beatty are amongst the best around and this shows why.
Ms Tree is set in the 90's but could almost as easily be set in the heyday of gumshoes and hard boiled detectives. She is, as the world she is set in says, a female Mike Hammer. There is nothing like her in modern day comics at all and to see more of her adventures is a real joy.
The only reason this collection doesnt get a full 5 star rating is because the decision to pick a set of connected stories for the last volume does come a bit of a cropper this time around. By having a collection of the issues not connected to the Muerta family it means that the last issue here in particular really is out of place. The sudden jump in Ms Tree and her life really would be confusing to anyone who just picks up this volume... to be fair though would anyone do that? Well they could do because these volumes are not really numbered as such.
Still it is well worth buying if you love comics, mysteries and crime.
Ms Tree is set in the 90's but could almost as easily be set in the heyday of gumshoes and hard boiled detectives. She is, as the world she is set in says, a female Mike Hammer. There is nothing like her in modern day comics at all and to see more of her adventures is a real joy.
The only reason this collection doesnt get a full 5 star rating is because the decision to pick a set of connected stories for the last volume does come a bit of a cropper this time around. By having a collection of the issues not connected to the Muerta family it means that the last issue here in particular really is out of place. The sudden jump in Ms Tree and her life really would be confusing to anyone who just picks up this volume... to be fair though would anyone do that? Well they could do because these volumes are not really numbered as such.
Still it is well worth buying if you love comics, mysteries and crime.
October 24, 2024
2.5. I love Ms. Tree, "the female Mike Hammer," but Collins and Beatty aren't as good at tackling current events as they think (Collins pats himself on the back for it in the intro). The first story in this collection (like Vol. 1 this comes from the Ms. Tree Quarterly at the end of her career) tries to be fair and balanced about the Satanic panic of the 1980s (there's no balance needed � the fears of Satanism were way overblown). The second, involving Ms. Tree's foster son being accused of rape, has all kinds of problems (like most people with a cause in this series, campus feminists protesting date rape are just pushing an agenda for personal gain).
The haunted house story is stock was it or wasn't it. The final story, dealing with Vietnam and the myth POWs are still held there, is the best. Overall, a disappointment.
The haunted house story is stock was it or wasn't it. The final story, dealing with Vietnam and the myth POWs are still held there, is the best. Overall, a disappointment.
April 1, 2022
A graphic novel authored by Max Allan Collins, who succeeded Chester Gould in penning the Dick Tracy cartoon strip. Although the author/co-author of dozens of novels, this demonstrates his strong background in comics. Ms. Tree in many ways is a female Mike Hammer. The Ms. Tree series allowed Collins to tackle topics too controversial for the Tracy cartoon strip. And does he ever! Homophobia, date rape, scams involving MIA remains in Vietnam, and more. As a Chicagoan, I enjoyed the Chicago skylines, and specific locations at Ginos East, Ed Debevics, and Madison & Wabash. If you are looking for a graphic comic series, you can't go wrong with Ms. Tree: A strong female protagonist, compelling story telling, clean artwork, in a mystery story framework. Check it out!
November 24, 2023
La segunda tanda (y final) de Michael Tree bajo el alero de DC Comics mantiene el tono contenido que presentaron sus primeros números, pese a ganar puntos en la exploración psicológica de un personaje dado a llevarse por sus instintos. Bastante aportan los cambios inyectados a su vida personal, acaso más importantes que los casos en sà y donde los habituales secundarios representan un aporte mayor.
October 16, 2021
En Pulphistoria från 80-talet. Mycket som inte känns speciellt trovärdigt. Men det är ju inte grejen. Det ska kännas hårt och tufft. Ms Tree som driver en privatdetektiv byrå är hård. Och tuff. Som en klassisk Pulp staplas det klyschor på varandra. Det skjuts för att dödas.
October 26, 2023
Me reitero en lo dicho en la reseña del tomo anterior multiplicado por un fuerte efecto "tema de la semana". En estos comics nuestro personaje aborda: los veteranos del Vietnam, las violaciones a Universitarias, el Satanismo, la Homosexualidad y hasta las Casas Encantadas. Aburridillo
November 12, 2020
The stories in this collection are more issue-related than outright crime stories, but the quality is still there. There's also a prose short story "Louise" included at the end.
February 20, 2021
Nice archival presentation of material that was pretty cutting-edge on first publication. Rather dated now, but worth looking at as stories of their time.
June 2, 2022
Unlike the first collection of these, this is uneven as hell—but the quality of the good ones is just enough to outweigh the weak ones.
November 13, 2022
Book 2
Following up from book 1, this keeps the gritty hard PI story line. Good graphics and story
Arc that makes it an enjoyable read.
Following up from book 1, this keeps the gritty hard PI story line. Good graphics and story
Arc that makes it an enjoyable read.
January 1, 2024
Old school detective series set in 1980s Chicago.
November 17, 2020
I was very happy to read this second volume of collected Ms. tree stories from Titan. What I wasn't expecting wee the stories represented here. These are stories from the Ms Tree Quarterly books that Collins and Beatty produced for DC near the end of the Ms Tree run. They were interesting stories that I think were different than what I expected. The stories covered Devil Worship, homophobia, date rape and Vietnam. They were all handled fairly well although I was not totally satisfied with the homophobia story as it felt as though it were written without consulting any Gay people for context. It was also written in the 90's and I believe that piont of view might be different than they were when this was written but on the whole I really enjoyed the bbok. Terry Beatty did a solid job on the art. I do prefer his art in black and white than color but I might be in the minority.
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