And so it was that in 1994 we bore witness to the start of the epic stories, that retold some of the most well known events of our beloved Marvel characters. But this time at street level. Taking the viewpoint of the everyday character within it’s own universe, they told the stories we all knew and loved, via the lives and struggles of those more usually seen as either mindless rioters or NPC type villain fodder. After all how better to truly gauge the efforts of these gods and monsters that do battle in the sky above, than through the eyes of the people those very heroes are fighting for? And so in a paradigm shift the heroes themselves become incidental background characters and the focus shifts to the fates of the passer by on the street.
All witnessed, not by the likes of Forbush Man or Willie Lumpkin, but through the minds and motives of it’s ordinary everyday citizens, these stories gave us the perspective of actually being there. Sometimes even focusing on the same character Phil Sheldon, who recently came back into the public consciousness again via a mention by Ben Urich, in the pages of Uncanny X-Men #11. Spanning twenty five years with an individual tally of twenty eight issues within eight titles, here are some truly memorable tales of the Marvels. All of which used the same narrative tool. Logically we should start this epic sprawl back where it all began…
Marvels #1-4 (1994)
Writer Alex Ross & Steve Darnell (#0) Kurt Busiek (#1-4)
Artist Alex Ross (#0-4)
Colorist Alex Ross (#0-4)
Letterer Richard Starkings (#0-4) John Gaushell #1-4)
Welcome to New York of the year 1939, where the ordinary and fantastic interact daily. Witness burning figures composed of artificial intelligence roaming the streets. Men in brightly colored costumes scale the concrete walls and do battle against brilliant yet crazed scientific geniuses, for the fates of the helpless victims caught in the crossfire. Creatures from space threaten to devour the world and even your neighbor can harbor frightening abilities, such as fearsome bolts of energy that shoot from their eyes, or sprout wings like an angel from the heavens. All seen and documented through the viewfinder of photographer Philip Aaron Sheldon.
Alex Ross and Kurt Busiek initially came into each others orbit when they met as collaborators on sci-fi anthology series Open Space, which sadly never came into being as the title was cancelled before their story could be published. But this planted the seed and they joined up again for this groundbreaking vision of the Marvel universe. And so it could be argued that not only did it introduce us all to Alex Ross, but it also shot him into the stratosphere as artistic superstar. A wonderful side effect though was that it also opened our eyes to the world of the superhero, in ways we had never seen before. As well as spawning Ruins a year later, a two issue What If…? style Alterniverse tale by Warren Ellis and also inspired the Marvel: Portraits of a Universe, a four issue pin up series featuring the work of many artists.
Tales of the Marvels: Blockbuster #1 (1995)
Writer Mike Baron
Artist Shawn Martinbrugh
Colorist Shawn Martinbrugh
Letterer Richard Starkings
When the Fantastic Four clash with the Silver Surfer and Tyros the Terrible above the streets of New York it has little consequence for them. But it is the people who lived in the high rise that suffered the fallout and tragic repercussions, as related by the bystanders. People such as ex cop Roman Stewart, student Joan Weis, doctor Ronald Burns and criminal Clyde Comeaux, who all try to deal with the resulting chaos of the event.
With an appearance by Sunshine Mary, who also appears later in Tales of the Marvels: Inner Demons, the story tells of the struggle between the need for revenge, the hope of a fresh new life and the overall benefits of putting the past behind you. A new creative team take on the tradition of Marvels in a tragic tale of the fallout of one single super powered battle.
Tales of the Marvels: Inner Demons #1 (1995)
Writer Mariano Nicieza
Artist Bob Wakeling
Colorist Bob Wakeling
Letterer Bill Oakley
An amnesiac Namor as seen through the eyes of homeless alcoholic Sunshine Mary and her friend John Mahoney. When John saves the life of Namor, whom they dub The Old Man, he inadvertently receives a gift of immense importance. Later as they then attempt to stop Norman Osborn and the Enforcers, tragedy strikes and Namor must take action in a heart breaking tale of redemption and revenge.
“Once, the world was awed at a great storm of power in its midst but among the down and out on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, that storm was barely a ripple. There, a prince walked among these lost souls, as lost as they. His memory stolen and his life a shambles, an Atlantean prince lived as a pauper. Once there were men lost forgotten refuse of a city who truly needed a hero. And they got a Marvel… ” Continuing the Marvels tradition with a wonderfully painted fable of the King of Atlantis from a new team of creators.
Tales of the Marvels: Wonder Years #1-2 (1995)
Writer Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist Igor Kordey
Colorist Igor Kordey
Letterer Richard Starkings
Wonder Man is worshipped by Cindy Knutz, a young woman he saves during a battle with Red Ronin. Moving to LA and joining his fan club she arrives at the Palos Verde compound in time to witness the death of a hero, in events taking place between the end of West Coast Avengers and the birth of Force Works. When tragedy strikes at the hands of the Kree during a confrontation Cindy is convinced her destiny is to bring him back and be by his side. Can a girl’s love resurrect Wonder Man, or halt her obsession in time to notice the quiet self destruction of her friend?
With memorable scenes of the funeral of Simon Williams and appearances throughout the story by many Marvel mainstays such as Beast, Captain America, Cyclops, Falcon, Living Lightning, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Black Widow, this fully-painted epic is a beautiful tale of tragedy, mixed with poignant humanity and true heroism. Third instalment in the follow up to the Marvels by some of the best talent of the age.
Code of Honor #1-4 (1997)
Writer Chuck Dixon
Artist Brad Parker, Tristan Shane
Colorist Brad Parker, Tristan Shane
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Seen through the eyes of beat cops Jeffrey Piper and Michael Badalino, as new recruit Jeffrey discovers what it is to work the super hero beat and discovers a world of werewolves, dinosaurs, criminal masterminds, skull clad vigilantes and heroes for hire. All while trying to keep the faith and manage his own life.
Marvel takes to the streets in this gritty, and groundbreaking series and sees New York’s finest fighting crime alongside the heroes, managing the crowds at protests against the marriage of Vision and Scarlet Witch and even witnessing the arrival of both Dark Phoenix and the Beyonder. A new creative team deliver another tale of the Marvels, with a compelling drama that showcases unsettlingly realistic, yet stunning Max Payne style art.
Conspiracy #1-2 (1998)
Writer Dan Abnett
Artist Igor Kordey
Colorist Igor Kordey
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Taking the reins of investigative journalism from Phil Sheldon who has since retired, we find go-getting reporter Mark Ewing investigating the disappearance of another long gone reporter known as Cliff Garner. Soon he is immersed in smokescreens and conspiracies, with organisations headed up by the likes of General Thaddeus Ross, Howard Stark and Bolivar Trask, all pulling the strings behind the scenes, using fear to gain an increased budget. It also includes the insidious Damage Control, Spidercide, Clone Saga-era Jackal and the birth of the age of monsters. All overseen by secret government organisations with acronyms that clearly describe the level of power and authority involved in their system of control.
The artistic wunderkind of the time tap into the zeitgeist of the Information Age and pierce the veil of mystery that surrounds the world of the modern Marvels. And so we are introduced to this relatively unsung instalment in the genre of Everyman documentary. All tied together in a thought provoking warning, recounting the true cost of collateral damage. Which was way before it’s time in a pre 9-11 world.
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #1-6 (2009)
Writer Kurt Busiek, Roger Stern
Artist Jay Anacleto
Colorist Jay Anacleto
Letterer Richard Starkings
News photographer Phil Sheldon is back, with the man-on-the-street’s perspective on the big events of the Marvel Universe! But this time, Phil’s world is going to be rocked not just by superheroes and super-villains, but by something far more personal. As we return to Phil’s world time has moved on to a new decade. His viewfinder no longer sees the likes of Captain America and the original Human Torch. Now he has to contend with Asgardian Gods, the red clad horned vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen, demons and vampires.
A darker age full of anti heroes such as Wolverine and Ghost Rider, charting events such as Spider-Man confronting the Punisher and the X-Men’s battle with the Adversary in Dallas. Kurt Busiek returns to the format he co-created with a new artist and a fresh outlook for the new age as the original Everyman is thrust back into the world of the Marvels.
The Marvels Project #1-8 (2009)
Writer Ed Brubaker
Artist Steve Epting
Colorist Dave Stewart
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Witness the machinations of men of mystery such as Nick Fury and Major Kerfoot, The plans of men of power such as Roosevelt and Churchill. The trials of men of science such as Professor Phineas Horton, creator of the first Human Torch. Back where it all began with the Marvels of World War II, the beginnings of the legend that is the Invaders and the arrival of Dr Thomas Halloway, AKA The Angel. What is the mystery behind the seemingly innocuous old man called Matt Hawkins, who lies on his deathbed in a hospital in 1939? What is the origin of the Two Guns in his possession? And how does his passing mark the beginning of the first heroic age of the Marvel Universe and signal the rise of the super-humans?
Not only did Ed Brubaker resurrect Bucky Barnes from the dead as the Winter Soldier, but he also went on to inject new life into the iconic tale of the Marvels. Joined by Steve Epting and Dave Stewart for this retro style prequel, they gave this eight issue historical revival a distinctly film noir flavor as it recounts the start of the age of Marvels.
And now finally to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Marvels, this week also saw the release of Marvels: Annotated #1.
Celebrating with the first in a four issue series reproducing Marvels #0-1. Packed with extras including an introduction by Steve Saffell, originally included in Marvel Age #130, Kurt Busiek’s script for Marvels #1, bonus covers art, panel notes highlighting in story references of real world models, with “directors notes” style Easter Eggs and more! Such as the origin of this homage to Alex Schomburg. A piece later explained by Busiek as not being a line-up of either Invaders, Liberty Legion or All-Winners Squad, as some have previously thought.
L to R: Bucky, Captain America, Sub-Mariner, the Vision (original), the Destroyer, Black Widow (original), the Thunderer, Blazing Skull, Black Marvel, the Human Torch and Toro.
Also including new covers, once again by Alex Ross, the series goes on to boast more variant covers. Alex Ross #1 virgin variant, Paolo Rivera #1 variant, Michael Cho #2 variant, Gabriele Dell’Otto #3 variant. With celebrations continuing over in other titles as Alex Ross also delivers 25th Anniversary variants of Fantastic Four #6, Immortal Hulk #16, Tony Stark: Iron Man #9 and Avengers #18.
A World of Marvels as Seen Through the Eyes of the Everyman
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Author: Steve Batley
Total geek from Aliens to X-Men. From early on I've been a huge fan of writers such as Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker and Dean Koontz, also other horror and sci-fi authors. Started reading and collecting comics in my 20's and began with Excalibur and swiftly followed with all things X-Men. This branched out into movie and tv led comics as well as several indie titles.
