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Marvel’s Voices #1: Time to Be Heard (Spoiler-Free)

Gabriel De Jesus
9/10

Marvel Voices #1

Author(s): Angélique Roche, John Jennings, Evan Narcisse, Vita Ayala, Regine L. Sawyer, Brian Stelfreeze, Anthony Piper, Luciano Vecchio, David Betancourt, James Monroe Iglehart, Brandon Montclare, Tatiana King Jones, Karama Horne, Kyle Baker, Geoggrey Thorne, Rob Marksman, Method Mad, Daniel Dominguez, Charlamagne Tha God, Chris Miles, Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey, Don MvGregor, David F Walker, & Chuck Brown

Artist(s): Brian Stelfreeze, Anthony Piper, Luciano Vecchio, Ray-Anthony Height, Nate Lovett, Natacha Bustos, Kyle Baker, Khary Randolph, Damion Scott, Alitha E Martinez, JJ Kirby, Brittney L. Williams, & Sanford Greene

Colorist(s): Brian Stelfreeze, Anthony Piper, Luciano Vecchio , Emilio Lopez, Tamra Bonvilain, Kyle Baker, Dono Sanchex-Almara, JJ Kirby, Rachelle Rosenberg, Matt Herms

Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham

Publisher: Marvel

Genre: Action, Superhero

Published Date: 02/19/2020

By Gabriel De Jesus

 on 

Recap

THE WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW! Marvel’s acclaimed podcast series focusing on telling the stories of diverse creators and their unique perspectives becomes a one shot of brand new adventures! The X-Men find their place in the world after declaring a new nation! Killmonger strikes! Moon Girl and Devil Dino return!

Review

Marvel’s Voices #1 is a collection of fourteen stories ranging from one to six pages long, all with creators of color. It would be easy for this comic to feel disjointed as they lack any common thread of plot, theme, or even place in continuity. But the creative freedom is clear on each page.

Each creator had the power to chose their story, their character, and even their creative team, with some stories being written, illustrated, and colored by the same individual. The stories though different, each succeed in what they set out to be. When they are funny, the jokes land. When they are meant to incite emotion, they tug on the heart.

To go along with this comic are seven essays posted on marvel.com/voices (six prior to the comic with the final piece scheduled to post on the day of release). They are not essential to the comic at all, and I’m sure plenty of people will skip them, which is a pity, as they are definitely worth a read. Each essay is about the journey to this point of representation, be it the writer’s journey, society’s journey, or the in continuity journey. (And if I could have written this entire review just from quotes out of the essay Lift Every Voice by John Jennings, I would have and it probably would have been better).

 

Individually, I would have enjoyed both the comic and the essay. However, the two paired together elevates both halves. Yona Harvey references in her essay how frequently comics, as a medium, are looked down on. This melding of mediums showcases how like all forms of art, comics and life reflect upon each other.

Final Thoughts

Marvel’s Voices #1 is equal parts concept and comic. As a comic, it is enjoyable and worth reading.  As a concept, it goes far beyond that.  Marvel’s Voices is a testament to the diversity in Marvel and the comic book industry as a whole that may frequently be overlooked. It delivers a message of potential and representation to people who may need it most.

 

“Seeing yourself reflected in the culture in which you participate and consume is extremely empowering, and it is something that is taken for granted by the privileged.“ –John Jennings “Lift Every Voice”

Marvel’s Voices #1: Time to Be Heard (Spoiler Free)
  • Writing - 9/10
    9/10
  • Storyline - 9/10
    9/10
  • Art - 9/10
    9/10
  • Color - 9/10
    9/10
  • Cover Art - 9/10
    9/10
9/10
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