What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvel Legacy
Collects Marvel Legacy #1, Marvel Legacy Primer pages, FOOM Magazine (2017).
EVERYTHING STARTS HERE! It begins at the dawn of the human race, and ends with a child's prayer! In between, empires fall, mysteries brew, secrets are revealed, quests are undertaken and legends are forged! All leading up to the dramatic return you've been waiting for - and one you've been dreading! Jason Aaron (MIGHTY THOR) and Esad Ribic (SECRET WARS) usher in a new dawn - one whose rays will touch every corner of the Marvel Universe in the days to come! MARVEL LEGACY: It's everything you've been longing for - and more!
EVERYTHING STARTS HERE! It begins at the dawn of the human race, and ends with a child's prayer! In between, empires fall, mysteries brew, secrets are revealed, quests are undertaken and legends are forged! All leading up to the dramatic return you've been waiting for - and one you've been dreading! Jason Aaron (MIGHTY THOR) and Esad Ribic (SECRET WARS) usher in a new dawn - one whose rays will touch every corner of the Marvel Universe in the days to come! MARVEL LEGACY: It's everything you've been longing for - and more!
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2018
18 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,367 books1,685 followersJason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 16, 2019
This was...ok.
I was under the impression that Marvel Legacy was going to be some sort of a peace offering for fans of the older/original characters. You know, bringing them back for that set of readers or something?
That was not what this book turned out to be.
There was a half-assed prehistoric story about the Original Avengers (Odin wielding Mjolnir, Agamotto as the Sorcerer Supreme, and so on) defeating a threat which connected to a story about the new Thor, Captain America, and Iron Heart banding together to defeat the same newly risen threat that Loki had (for whatever reason) let loose on the world.
And then Wolverine shows up and looks cool.
Because he's the best at what he does, and what he does best...is look like a badass.
Honestly? Maybe it leads into something else, but it felt like a very throwaway story.
The rest of the book is a collection of 3 pageish condensed origin stories about a bunch of Marvel heroes and teams.
Some were well-known origins, like Spider-man, Hulk, & Captain America. But quite a few were more obscure, like Scarlet Spider, and I enjoyed reading a mini-refresher of who exactly they were and how they came into their powers.
The Primer Pages were my favorite part of this and well worth thumbing through if you get the chance.
Ok, and then there's the FOOM (Friends Of Old Marvel) stuff that takes up about the last 1/3 or so of this book. It looked like history, interviews, and all the things that collectors like to ooh and ahhh over when they buy something like this.
I'm going to have to fess up and admit that I read ZERO percent of that shit.
I used to try to slog through the extras in the back of comics, but I simply don't have enough time nor do I give enough fucks for things that I don't heartily enjoy these days. But if that is your jam, then know that (to me) it looked as though you'd be getting your money's worth out of this.
Overall, I liked the idea of these Jurassic Avengers and I think it would be cool to read more about them. BUT. The actual execution of that one felt a bit shaky and patched together. The stuff with Jane, Sam, & Riri was definitely tossable, as it seemed like it was only there to show a contrast to the ancient team. The FOOM stuff isn't my bag, so no judgments one way or the other on that. And the Primer stuff was cool but in an unnecessary fun sort of way.
Read it or don't, because I can't seem to form an opinion on this one.
I was under the impression that Marvel Legacy was going to be some sort of a peace offering for fans of the older/original characters. You know, bringing them back for that set of readers or something?
That was not what this book turned out to be.
There was a half-assed prehistoric story about the Original Avengers (Odin wielding Mjolnir, Agamotto as the Sorcerer Supreme, and so on) defeating a threat which connected to a story about the new Thor, Captain America, and Iron Heart banding together to defeat the same newly risen threat that Loki had (for whatever reason) let loose on the world.
And then Wolverine shows up and looks cool.
Because he's the best at what he does, and what he does best...is look like a badass.
Honestly? Maybe it leads into something else, but it felt like a very throwaway story.
The rest of the book is a collection of 3 pageish condensed origin stories about a bunch of Marvel heroes and teams.
Some were well-known origins, like Spider-man, Hulk, & Captain America. But quite a few were more obscure, like Scarlet Spider, and I enjoyed reading a mini-refresher of who exactly they were and how they came into their powers.
The Primer Pages were my favorite part of this and well worth thumbing through if you get the chance.
Ok, and then there's the FOOM (Friends Of Old Marvel) stuff that takes up about the last 1/3 or so of this book. It looked like history, interviews, and all the things that collectors like to ooh and ahhh over when they buy something like this.
I'm going to have to fess up and admit that I read ZERO percent of that shit.
I used to try to slog through the extras in the back of comics, but I simply don't have enough time nor do I give enough fucks for things that I don't heartily enjoy these days. But if that is your jam, then know that (to me) it looked as though you'd be getting your money's worth out of this.
Overall, I liked the idea of these Jurassic Avengers and I think it would be cool to read more about them. BUT. The actual execution of that one felt a bit shaky and patched together. The stuff with Jane, Sam, & Riri was definitely tossable, as it seemed like it was only there to show a contrast to the ancient team. The FOOM stuff isn't my bag, so no judgments one way or the other on that. And the Primer stuff was cool but in an unnecessary fun sort of way.
Read it or don't, because I can't seem to form an opinion on this one.
August 15, 2022
Should have probably been called "Marvel Steals $39.99 Out of your Wallet". The book consists of:
- 60 page Marvel Legacy #1 ~ $6
- 3 page primers (origins) of all their titles~ FREE
- A Foom fan magazine ~ FREE
- A bunch of alternate covers
Marvel Legacy #1
My first thoughts were, "Great, yet another event from Marvel. I'm fatigued already from the awfulness that was Secret Empire and now you're already starting another event." Marvel is trying really hard to give you DC Rebirth. Some elements of this were really cool, like the prehistoric Avengers and the changes with Starbrand and Ghost Rider (Finally, we're getting back to the Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider!). They worked because they were focused and actually had a story to tell. The rest of the story meanders over the Marvel universe to give you little teases into future comics. I hope this is a return to the great storytelling Marvel used to be known for. My fear is that it will be another, Secret Empire, Secret Wars, Inhumans Vs. X-Men, Civil War II...
3 Page Primers
The primers just retold the characters' origins without any new information and will almost certainly be reprinted in the individual title's Legacy collection. These were free giveaways at comic book shops.
Foom
Another free giveaway. Just a bunch of interviews with the creators trying to sell you the Legacy books. I did think it was funny how much they were pushing Brian Michael Bendis who recently left Marvel to sign an exclusive contract from DC.
Alternate Covers
There were a few very nice alternate covers. The majority however were around 30 headshot "stamp" covers Mike McKone did across the Legacy titles. I like Mike McKone's art but these covers could not be any more static or boring.
- 60 page Marvel Legacy #1 ~ $6
- 3 page primers (origins) of all their titles~ FREE
- A Foom fan magazine ~ FREE
- A bunch of alternate covers
Marvel Legacy #1
My first thoughts were, "Great, yet another event from Marvel. I'm fatigued already from the awfulness that was Secret Empire and now you're already starting another event." Marvel is trying really hard to give you DC Rebirth. Some elements of this were really cool, like the prehistoric Avengers and the changes with Starbrand and Ghost Rider (Finally, we're getting back to the Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider!). They worked because they were focused and actually had a story to tell. The rest of the story meanders over the Marvel universe to give you little teases into future comics. I hope this is a return to the great storytelling Marvel used to be known for. My fear is that it will be another, Secret Empire, Secret Wars, Inhumans Vs. X-Men, Civil War II...
3 Page Primers
The primers just retold the characters' origins without any new information and will almost certainly be reprinted in the individual title's Legacy collection. These were free giveaways at comic book shops.
Foom
Another free giveaway. Just a bunch of interviews with the creators trying to sell you the Legacy books. I did think it was funny how much they were pushing Brian Michael Bendis who recently left Marvel to sign an exclusive contract from DC.
Alternate Covers
There were a few very nice alternate covers. The majority however were around 30 headshot "stamp" covers Mike McKone did across the Legacy titles. I like Mike McKone's art but these covers could not be any more static or boring.
July 28, 2018
Marvel Legacy started well. The main story seems rather interesting and the artwork is stellar. So why two stars? Let me tell you.
The actual Legacy story is filled with great art and an interesting story. I will give no spoilers. But then after a mere 20-30 pages. The story is over for this volume. Then we are treated to a three page "preview" of the 300 or so crappy Marvel titles. Everything from the established titles to the SJW titles-those are the ones where the apogee of creativity is to take an established character and turn it female and viola! The list of third rate stories abounds. We are forced to share in the deluge of crap by being traumatized at what is going to be released under the guise of being original works. Uh-huh. "Hey guys, what if Spiderman were a woman?"
"Ummm..there is already a Spidwerwoman..maybe two"
"OH? Well..how about if Gwen Stacy were SipderwomanPool?"
"Brilliant!"
"Oh wait..Thor?"
"Huh?"
"Thor can be a woman too!"
"A female Thor?"
"Sure. SJW isn't about quality or even equality. It's about virtue signalling. So now Thor is female."
"Brilliant!"
If you'd like to make this a more "realistic" conversation, please substitute "Brilliant" with "Profitable". Yes. Profits is what drives the industry now-not quality. So if people can be gulled into buying a story where the entirety of the premise is that this "original" story is basically the same story as before-but this time a (female, black, lesbian, gay, or all of them at once) version- AND you can disguise pure corporate greed with a faint veneer of SJW paint- not to worry Progressives are too dense to get it and will shell out money cooing "Oh look! Female Spiderperson! Ohhh and a female Thor- this is brilliant". These are the same people who are uber-anti-corporation and anti-capitalist on their Iphones, Macbooks, sharing their moral outrage over Twitter and Facebook whilst surfing Google on Firefox. See the dichotomy? NO? No worries, neither do they.
Oh wait-we aren't done. Then after their profitable advertising (since this was essentially an advert, that I paid for)-I paid to buy an advert advertising an upcoming title that I will have to buy. Brilliant marketing. The final part of the book is the storyboard and motivations of the artists. So a 150 page book with 30 pages of real story, 110 pages of advertising for their SJW hack titles and 10 pages of the writers and artists justifying why they made readers buy an oversized advertisement disguised as art. Enjoy.
The actual Legacy story is filled with great art and an interesting story. I will give no spoilers. But then after a mere 20-30 pages. The story is over for this volume. Then we are treated to a three page "preview" of the 300 or so crappy Marvel titles. Everything from the established titles to the SJW titles-those are the ones where the apogee of creativity is to take an established character and turn it female and viola! The list of third rate stories abounds. We are forced to share in the deluge of crap by being traumatized at what is going to be released under the guise of being original works. Uh-huh. "Hey guys, what if Spiderman were a woman?"
"Ummm..there is already a Spidwerwoman..maybe two"
"OH? Well..how about if Gwen Stacy were SipderwomanPool?"
"Brilliant!"
"Oh wait..Thor?"
"Huh?"
"Thor can be a woman too!"
"A female Thor?"
"Sure. SJW isn't about quality or even equality. It's about virtue signalling. So now Thor is female."
"Brilliant!"
If you'd like to make this a more "realistic" conversation, please substitute "Brilliant" with "Profitable". Yes. Profits is what drives the industry now-not quality. So if people can be gulled into buying a story where the entirety of the premise is that this "original" story is basically the same story as before-but this time a (female, black, lesbian, gay, or all of them at once) version- AND you can disguise pure corporate greed with a faint veneer of SJW paint- not to worry Progressives are too dense to get it and will shell out money cooing "Oh look! Female Spiderperson! Ohhh and a female Thor- this is brilliant". These are the same people who are uber-anti-corporation and anti-capitalist on their Iphones, Macbooks, sharing their moral outrage over Twitter and Facebook whilst surfing Google on Firefox. See the dichotomy? NO? No worries, neither do they.
Oh wait-we aren't done. Then after their profitable advertising (since this was essentially an advert, that I paid for)-I paid to buy an advert advertising an upcoming title that I will have to buy. Brilliant marketing. The final part of the book is the storyboard and motivations of the artists. So a 150 page book with 30 pages of real story, 110 pages of advertising for their SJW hack titles and 10 pages of the writers and artists justifying why they made readers buy an oversized advertisement disguised as art. Enjoy.
December 26, 2017
Ah.. could be better. I liked the artwork. The story is messy as fuck and meh... like everything is happening all over the place not having time to see what happens with one thing to jump to another and meh.. whatever.
The main problem here is, it's not interesting. It didn't do anything for me, besides the last couple of pages with a certain someone that's back from the dead. I liked that. Other than that. meh.
The main problem here is, it's not interesting. It didn't do anything for me, besides the last couple of pages with a certain someone that's back from the dead. I liked that. Other than that. meh.
April 6, 2018
I read the main issue when it came out on September 27,2017. As I write this in March 2018 , not a lot of repercussions have been felt which stemmed from the events of this book. I don't think they are going to totally drop these story threads, but it is surprising that so many months have went by and the only ongoing carry over is one single plot point from this issue. I'm sure that Marvel wanted "Marvel Legacy" to be the 2017 version of DC's awesome 2016 one-shot "DC Universe: Rebirth," and it was not even close to that quality. I still have really fond feelings for that single issue, while I view "Marvel Legacy" as wildly mediocre.
That one issue is just a part of this collection. The rest of the hardcover (which they are trying to sell for $39.99!) is filler. After the Marvel Legacy era started, each book had something called Primer Pages included in one issue of their series. These Primer Pages were 3-page stories that told the origin and anything important that you needed to know about the character or group of characters.
Finally, this collection also had something called FOOM Magazine included, a throwback to a Marvel Magazine that came out years ago. This was a free giveaway item on the day that "Marvel Legacy" was released, so to make this book have even more filler they decided to throw that in too. One of the ironic things about this is that there is an article about the importance of Brian Michael Bendis to Marvel in that magazine, but as I type these words it has recently been announced that Bendis is leaving Marvel to work exclusively for DC Comics.
That one issue is just a part of this collection. The rest of the hardcover (which they are trying to sell for $39.99!) is filler. After the Marvel Legacy era started, each book had something called Primer Pages included in one issue of their series. These Primer Pages were 3-page stories that told the origin and anything important that you needed to know about the character or group of characters.
Finally, this collection also had something called FOOM Magazine included, a throwback to a Marvel Magazine that came out years ago. This was a free giveaway item on the day that "Marvel Legacy" was released, so to make this book have even more filler they decided to throw that in too. One of the ironic things about this is that there is an article about the importance of Brian Michael Bendis to Marvel in that magazine, but as I type these words it has recently been announced that Bendis is leaving Marvel to work exclusively for DC Comics.
October 3, 2018
Well, what an unsatisfying package.
The first 50+ pages feature a teaser story introducing a company wide thematic event. It's okay, but it is just set-up with no payoff in this volume.
Then there are like 100+ pages of three-page secret origin recaps for dozens and dozens of Marvel superheroes. They aren't bad per se, but the sheer volume and repetitive nature of the story structure wears one down, and frankly I've read most of these origins many times in much better form elsewhere.
The last stretch reprints a 40-page Marvel marketing magazine full of generic PR stories and interviews about upcoming titles and such. I must admit that the histories of the Marvel bullpen and its editors-in-chief and the Flo Steinberg tribute stood out a bit for this longtime Marvel reader, but of course they suffer from a corporate spin that mostly glosses over internecine struggles and any of the really negative stuff that occurred between the Marvel staffers, editors and artists.
It took me nearly twelve days to slog through the whole thing.
I checked it out from a library. I cannot imagine paying $30 for what amounts to a giant advertisement.
The first 50+ pages feature a teaser story introducing a company wide thematic event. It's okay, but it is just set-up with no payoff in this volume.
Then there are like 100+ pages of three-page secret origin recaps for dozens and dozens of Marvel superheroes. They aren't bad per se, but the sheer volume and repetitive nature of the story structure wears one down, and frankly I've read most of these origins many times in much better form elsewhere.
The last stretch reprints a 40-page Marvel marketing magazine full of generic PR stories and interviews about upcoming titles and such. I must admit that the histories of the Marvel bullpen and its editors-in-chief and the Flo Steinberg tribute stood out a bit for this longtime Marvel reader, but of course they suffer from a corporate spin that mostly glosses over internecine struggles and any of the really negative stuff that occurred between the Marvel staffers, editors and artists.
It took me nearly twelve days to slog through the whole thing.
I checked it out from a library. I cannot imagine paying $30 for what amounts to a giant advertisement.
December 18, 2018
This is the most blatant cash grab I’ve seen from Marvel yet. The actual Legacy story is only about a fifth of the volume, and is great, but only amounts to a bunch of story teasers, like a compendium of Free Comic Book Day issues. The rest is a visual Reader’s Digest of Marvel characters and newsletters. Stop. Just stop, Marvel. Your soft relaunches are confusing and strip the gears of stories, and this is mostly an advertisement. I was particularly amused by the piece on Brian Michael Bendis talking about how he didn’t have any new titles coming out. Goddamn, I miss Joe Quesada.
June 9, 2018
Guess this makes a good starting point for noobs to learn current MCU line up. As 90% was character quick bios. and filler near end.
November 12, 2018
Diese Rezension enthält Spoiler, sowohl für das Marvel Legacy Spezial Comic, als auch für Nick Spencers “Secret Empire”
Ein bisschen frischer Wind gefällig? Mit Marvel Legacy wird uns genau das versprochen. Für die Marvel-Ikonen beginnt eine völlig neue Ära. Eine Million Jahre in der Vergangenheit stellen sich Odins Steinzeit-Avengers einer großen Gefahr, während im Hier und jetzt die aktuellen Superhelden wie unter anderem zum Beispiel Loki und Ghost Rider auf dem von ihren Vorfahren geebneten Pfad in ihre glorreiche Zukunft steuern. Der Sinn hinter dem Ganzen? Es geht darum, das eingefahrene Marvel Universum etwas aufzurütteln und hierdurch Neues zu ermöglichen. Als Reboot würde ich dies daher nicht bezeichnen, sondern eher als eine Art Zeitreise zurück zu den Ursprüngen und Anfängen der aktuellen Generation Marvel Superhelden.
Ich muss gestehen, ich fühlte mich anfangs etwas verloren in dieser neuen Geschichte, was – wie ich nach eingehender Recherche festgestellt habe – daran lag, dass mir einfach ein wenig Hintergrundwissen fehlte, welches ich mir in der Form hätte aneignen können, indem ich mich zum Beispiel dem Finale zu Nick Spencers „Secret Empire“ zuerst gewidmet hätte. Um mich anfangs richtig orientieren zu können, fehlte mir teilweise die Basis für die in diesem Comic enthaltene Story, woran ich natürlich selbst Schuld war. Dank des schlauen Internets allerdings konnte ich mich zumindest teilweise informieren und habe so noch mal einen zweiten Anlauf gestartet, diesmal mit etwas mehr Hintergrundwissen.
An welchem Punkt diese Geschichte anschließt? Hydra-Cap (der falsche Steve Rogers) ist gefallen, Kobik hat die Realität wieder hergestellt und den echten Steve Rogers zurückgebracht; ebenso hat er die meisten Auswirkungen wieder ungeschehen gemacht, mit einigen Ausnahmen allerdings. Die Welt ist mithin immer noch etwas durcheinander von den Ereignissen der letzten Monate. Und genau hier beginnt die Geschichte.
Die Geschichte beginnt in der Steinzeit, und zwar vor genau 1.000.000 Jahren, was mir unglaublich gut gefallen hat. Diese Zeitsprünge zwischen Damals, dem Ursprung der heutigen Superheldengeneration, und eben dem Heute empfand ich als unglaublich interessant, auch wenn ich mich zugegebener Maßen, erst einmal an all die „neuen“ Gesichter gewöhnen musste. Auch wenn mir nicht alle unbekannt waren, so befanden sich doch einige unter den Figuren, über die ich eben noch nicht so viel wusste, als über andere. Noch ein Grund weshalb ich es bereue, nicht zuerst auch einige vorangehenden Comics gelesen zu haben, um so eine bessere Möglichkeit zu erhalten, in der Geschichte abzutauchen, was der Geschichte als solche allerdings keinen Abbruch getan hat. Denn obgleich ich zu Beginn teilweise Schwierigkeiten hatte, mich in der Storyline zurecht zu finden, so fiel es mir – je mehr Seiten ich las – immer leichter und der rote Faden ergab sich irgendwann von selbst. Mit Hilfe meiner Recherchen dann konnte ich die Ereignisse zeitlich gesehen auch alle richtig zuordnen und hatte plötzlich unglaublich viel Freude am Verlauf der Geschichte.
Auf wen wir gleich zu Anfang treffen? Auf einen jungen Odin. Wir treffen auf die Urzeit-Versionen der Avengers, bestehend aus Odin, Pheonix, Agamotto und auf die früheren Versionen von Iron Fist, Black Panther (worüber ich mich unfassbar gefreut habe), Starbrand und Ghost Rider. Gemeinsam stellen sie sich einem sogenannten Celestial, einem der mächtigsten Wesen des gesamten Universums.
Nach dieser Szene zum Beispiel springt die Geschichte dann sofort wieder zurück in die Gegenwart, wo Ghost Rider verschlafen in seinem Auto aufwacht. Wie er schnell feststellt, befindet er sich nicht länger – wie vermutet – in Los Angeles, sondern zwischenzeitlich in Kapstadt, in Südafrika. Auf der Flucht vor der Polizei wird er dann urplötzlich aus unerfindlichen Gründen von Starbrand angegriffen, der mir zum Beispiel bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch völlig unbekannt war (shame on me). Die Geschichte dieser beiden zieht sich dann durch den gesamten Comic.
So springen wir immer wieder zwischen den verschiedenen Schauplätzen hin und her. Auch auf Loki treffen wir, der auf Jotunheim versucht, ein paar Frostriesen davon zu überzeugen, ihm zu folgen und ihn auf seiner Mission gegen S.H.I.E.L.D. zu begleiten. Wonach er sucht? Nach einer bisher nicht identifizierten Kiste.
Erst am Ende hin erfahren wir, was sich in dieser geheimnisvollen bisher nicht identifizierten Kiste befindet.
Ebenfalls treffen wir auf die mächtige Thor (eine weibliche Thor), Cap Sam Wilson (quasi der neue Captain America) und Ironheart (die weibliche Version des Iron Man), die erstmals gemeinsam im Team kämpfen und sich schnurstracks für die neuen Avengers halten. Ebenfalls treffen wir auf den echten Steve Rogers, der währenddessen ziellos durchs Land fährt und nicht so ganz weiß, wohin mit sich selbst. Hier zum Beispiel wäre es auch wichtig gewesen „Secret Empire“ vorher gelesen zu haben, da Steve Rogers noch immer unter den Ereignissen der letzten Monate leidet, was eben genau in diesem Comic thematisiert wird.
Während Steve Rogers alias Captain America also ziellos umherstreift und mit seinem Motorrad durch die Gegend fährt, ertränkt Thor, oder auch Odinsohn genannt, sich in seinem Selbstmitleid über seine Unwürdigkeit.
Tony Stark, der im Koma liegt, verschwindet plötzlich und niemand kann sich erklären, wie dies passieren konnte. Ein komatöser Patient steht immerhin nicht einfach auf und spaziert davon.
Ebenfalls treffen wir in diesem Comic auf Deadpool und Doctor Strange, Jarvis und Nadia.
Während all dies passiert, haut einer der Frostriesen mit dieser geheimnisvollen Kiste aus der S.H.I.E.L.D. Einrichtung ab. Zuerst sieht es so aus, als würde er es schaffen, dann allerdings wird er von einem Biertruck, wie es scheint, überfahren. Und wer steigt aus? Der totgeglaubte Wolverine, der offenbar doch gar nicht so tot ist – aber wen wundert es, eine Leiche wurde immerhin nie gefunden. Wolverine erledigt also den Frostriesen und plündert die mysteriöse Kiste. Jetzt erfahren wir dann auch endlich, was sich in dieser Kiste befindet und zwar nichts Geringeres als ein Infinity-Stein, und zwar der Gedankenstein. Es scheint fast so, als hätte Logan alias Wolverine schon länger ein Auge auf diesen Stein geworfen, warum allerdings wird nicht so ganz klar.
Was ich mich frage ist zum Beispiel, da Loki offenbar die ganze Zeit über gewusst hat, was sich in der Kiste befindet – wozu hätte er sie sonst unbedingt so dringend haben wollen? – wie Wolverine jetzt auf einmal in die Geschichte mit hinein passt. Ob er und Loki dann demnächst aufeinandertreffen?
Währenddessen wird die Geschichte kurz zu Gamora gelenkt, die spürt, dass neuerlich ein Stein gefunden wurde.
Was es ebenfalls gibt? Ein intergalaktisches wakandanisches Reich, also praktisch eine Weltraumversion des uns bekannten und geliebten Wakanda. Ziemlich cool muss ich gestehen, spannend und interessant, dennoch bin ich noch nicht so ganz durchgestiegen, ob sich das nun in der Vergangenheit abgespielt hat, in der Gegenwart oder vielleicht doch in der Zukunft? Wo dieses galaktische Wakanda her kommt, weiß ich auch nicht. Vielleicht werden wir hierüber in den nächsten Teilen etwas mehr erfahren.
Was ich aus diesem Comic gelernt habe? Zwei Dinge:
1.Dass mir einiges an Hintergrundwissen fehlt, das man auf jeden Fall auffüllen sollte, bevor man sich an die Marvel Legacy ran macht und
2.dass dieses Comic genug Fragen aufwirft, um in hoffentlich naher Zukunft noch weitere Ausgaben erwarten zu dürfen
Wie man sicherlich aus meinem kurzen Einblick erkennen kann, laufen hier ziemlich viele Handlungsstränge ineinander über und auch wenn sie zuerst alle separat betrachtet werden, laufen sie am Ende irgendwie doch alle zusammen. Den Überblick zu behalten mag am Anfang etwas schwierig erscheinen, doch wenn man sich der Geschichte einmal richtig widmet, dann fällt einem auf, dass irgendwie alles Sinn ergibt. Manche Ereignisse sind natürlich gewichtiger als manch andere und doch konnte mich der Comic wirklich unglaublich gut unterhalten. Besonders gespannt bin ich natürlich auf die Erklärung betreffend die Rückkehr des Wolverine und was er mit der ganzen Sache hier eigentlich zu schaffen hat. Auf ein Zusammentreffen zwischen ihm und Loki – muss ich gestehen – würde ich mich richtig freuen. Neugierig macht es auf alle Fälle.
Die Handlung ist komplex und gerade aus diesem Grund fiebert man so den Fortsetzungen entgegen, wie ich finde. Es wurde mit diesem Comic jedenfalls genug Material geliefert, um die Geschichte noch ein wenig weiter zu spinnen, es stellt sich hier natürlich nur die Frage, wie man dies plausibel tun kann, sodass es nicht zu sehr an den Haaren herbeigezogen wirkt.
Was die grafische Darstellung des Comics angeht, bin ich absolut begeistert. Ich konnte mich gar nicht satt sehen an den ganzen Zeichnungen und bin unglaublich froh darüber, dass ich diesen Comic lesen durfte.
LOHNT SICH DER COMIC?
Für eingefleischte Fans auf jeden Fall. Ich würde allerdings tatsächlich empfehlen, vorher “Secret Empire” zu lesen, da man sich sonst echt richtig verspoilert und einem hier einfach viel zu viel Hintergrundwissen fehlt. Natürlich kann man sich mit entsprechenden Internetrecherchen helfen, doch das Wahre ist das natürlich auch nicht. Unterhalten hat mich das Comic dennoch, die Zeichnungen sind einfach großartig und ich hatte unglaublich viel Freude mit/an den Geschichten. Außerdem war es unglaublich spannend und interessant, mehr über die Ursprünge zu lernen und auch über die potentiellen “Nachfolger” unserer heutigen Superhelden. Der Comic hat mich auf jeden Fall so neugierig zurückgelassen, dass ich entsprechende Folgebände kaum abwarten kann.
Ein bisschen frischer Wind gefällig? Mit Marvel Legacy wird uns genau das versprochen. Für die Marvel-Ikonen beginnt eine völlig neue Ära. Eine Million Jahre in der Vergangenheit stellen sich Odins Steinzeit-Avengers einer großen Gefahr, während im Hier und jetzt die aktuellen Superhelden wie unter anderem zum Beispiel Loki und Ghost Rider auf dem von ihren Vorfahren geebneten Pfad in ihre glorreiche Zukunft steuern. Der Sinn hinter dem Ganzen? Es geht darum, das eingefahrene Marvel Universum etwas aufzurütteln und hierdurch Neues zu ermöglichen. Als Reboot würde ich dies daher nicht bezeichnen, sondern eher als eine Art Zeitreise zurück zu den Ursprüngen und Anfängen der aktuellen Generation Marvel Superhelden.
Ich muss gestehen, ich fühlte mich anfangs etwas verloren in dieser neuen Geschichte, was – wie ich nach eingehender Recherche festgestellt habe – daran lag, dass mir einfach ein wenig Hintergrundwissen fehlte, welches ich mir in der Form hätte aneignen können, indem ich mich zum Beispiel dem Finale zu Nick Spencers „Secret Empire“ zuerst gewidmet hätte. Um mich anfangs richtig orientieren zu können, fehlte mir teilweise die Basis für die in diesem Comic enthaltene Story, woran ich natürlich selbst Schuld war. Dank des schlauen Internets allerdings konnte ich mich zumindest teilweise informieren und habe so noch mal einen zweiten Anlauf gestartet, diesmal mit etwas mehr Hintergrundwissen.
An welchem Punkt diese Geschichte anschließt? Hydra-Cap (der falsche Steve Rogers) ist gefallen, Kobik hat die Realität wieder hergestellt und den echten Steve Rogers zurückgebracht; ebenso hat er die meisten Auswirkungen wieder ungeschehen gemacht, mit einigen Ausnahmen allerdings. Die Welt ist mithin immer noch etwas durcheinander von den Ereignissen der letzten Monate. Und genau hier beginnt die Geschichte.
Die Geschichte beginnt in der Steinzeit, und zwar vor genau 1.000.000 Jahren, was mir unglaublich gut gefallen hat. Diese Zeitsprünge zwischen Damals, dem Ursprung der heutigen Superheldengeneration, und eben dem Heute empfand ich als unglaublich interessant, auch wenn ich mich zugegebener Maßen, erst einmal an all die „neuen“ Gesichter gewöhnen musste. Auch wenn mir nicht alle unbekannt waren, so befanden sich doch einige unter den Figuren, über die ich eben noch nicht so viel wusste, als über andere. Noch ein Grund weshalb ich es bereue, nicht zuerst auch einige vorangehenden Comics gelesen zu haben, um so eine bessere Möglichkeit zu erhalten, in der Geschichte abzutauchen, was der Geschichte als solche allerdings keinen Abbruch getan hat. Denn obgleich ich zu Beginn teilweise Schwierigkeiten hatte, mich in der Storyline zurecht zu finden, so fiel es mir – je mehr Seiten ich las – immer leichter und der rote Faden ergab sich irgendwann von selbst. Mit Hilfe meiner Recherchen dann konnte ich die Ereignisse zeitlich gesehen auch alle richtig zuordnen und hatte plötzlich unglaublich viel Freude am Verlauf der Geschichte.
Auf wen wir gleich zu Anfang treffen? Auf einen jungen Odin. Wir treffen auf die Urzeit-Versionen der Avengers, bestehend aus Odin, Pheonix, Agamotto und auf die früheren Versionen von Iron Fist, Black Panther (worüber ich mich unfassbar gefreut habe), Starbrand und Ghost Rider. Gemeinsam stellen sie sich einem sogenannten Celestial, einem der mächtigsten Wesen des gesamten Universums.
Nach dieser Szene zum Beispiel springt die Geschichte dann sofort wieder zurück in die Gegenwart, wo Ghost Rider verschlafen in seinem Auto aufwacht. Wie er schnell feststellt, befindet er sich nicht länger – wie vermutet – in Los Angeles, sondern zwischenzeitlich in Kapstadt, in Südafrika. Auf der Flucht vor der Polizei wird er dann urplötzlich aus unerfindlichen Gründen von Starbrand angegriffen, der mir zum Beispiel bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch völlig unbekannt war (shame on me). Die Geschichte dieser beiden zieht sich dann durch den gesamten Comic.
So springen wir immer wieder zwischen den verschiedenen Schauplätzen hin und her. Auch auf Loki treffen wir, der auf Jotunheim versucht, ein paar Frostriesen davon zu überzeugen, ihm zu folgen und ihn auf seiner Mission gegen S.H.I.E.L.D. zu begleiten. Wonach er sucht? Nach einer bisher nicht identifizierten Kiste.
Erst am Ende hin erfahren wir, was sich in dieser geheimnisvollen bisher nicht identifizierten Kiste befindet.
Ebenfalls treffen wir auf die mächtige Thor (eine weibliche Thor), Cap Sam Wilson (quasi der neue Captain America) und Ironheart (die weibliche Version des Iron Man), die erstmals gemeinsam im Team kämpfen und sich schnurstracks für die neuen Avengers halten. Ebenfalls treffen wir auf den echten Steve Rogers, der währenddessen ziellos durchs Land fährt und nicht so ganz weiß, wohin mit sich selbst. Hier zum Beispiel wäre es auch wichtig gewesen „Secret Empire“ vorher gelesen zu haben, da Steve Rogers noch immer unter den Ereignissen der letzten Monate leidet, was eben genau in diesem Comic thematisiert wird.
Während Steve Rogers alias Captain America also ziellos umherstreift und mit seinem Motorrad durch die Gegend fährt, ertränkt Thor, oder auch Odinsohn genannt, sich in seinem Selbstmitleid über seine Unwürdigkeit.
Tony Stark, der im Koma liegt, verschwindet plötzlich und niemand kann sich erklären, wie dies passieren konnte. Ein komatöser Patient steht immerhin nicht einfach auf und spaziert davon.
Ebenfalls treffen wir in diesem Comic auf Deadpool und Doctor Strange, Jarvis und Nadia.
Während all dies passiert, haut einer der Frostriesen mit dieser geheimnisvollen Kiste aus der S.H.I.E.L.D. Einrichtung ab. Zuerst sieht es so aus, als würde er es schaffen, dann allerdings wird er von einem Biertruck, wie es scheint, überfahren. Und wer steigt aus? Der totgeglaubte Wolverine, der offenbar doch gar nicht so tot ist – aber wen wundert es, eine Leiche wurde immerhin nie gefunden. Wolverine erledigt also den Frostriesen und plündert die mysteriöse Kiste. Jetzt erfahren wir dann auch endlich, was sich in dieser Kiste befindet und zwar nichts Geringeres als ein Infinity-Stein, und zwar der Gedankenstein. Es scheint fast so, als hätte Logan alias Wolverine schon länger ein Auge auf diesen Stein geworfen, warum allerdings wird nicht so ganz klar.
Was ich mich frage ist zum Beispiel, da Loki offenbar die ganze Zeit über gewusst hat, was sich in der Kiste befindet – wozu hätte er sie sonst unbedingt so dringend haben wollen? – wie Wolverine jetzt auf einmal in die Geschichte mit hinein passt. Ob er und Loki dann demnächst aufeinandertreffen?
Währenddessen wird die Geschichte kurz zu Gamora gelenkt, die spürt, dass neuerlich ein Stein gefunden wurde.
Was es ebenfalls gibt? Ein intergalaktisches wakandanisches Reich, also praktisch eine Weltraumversion des uns bekannten und geliebten Wakanda. Ziemlich cool muss ich gestehen, spannend und interessant, dennoch bin ich noch nicht so ganz durchgestiegen, ob sich das nun in der Vergangenheit abgespielt hat, in der Gegenwart oder vielleicht doch in der Zukunft? Wo dieses galaktische Wakanda her kommt, weiß ich auch nicht. Vielleicht werden wir hierüber in den nächsten Teilen etwas mehr erfahren.
Was ich aus diesem Comic gelernt habe? Zwei Dinge:
1.Dass mir einiges an Hintergrundwissen fehlt, das man auf jeden Fall auffüllen sollte, bevor man sich an die Marvel Legacy ran macht und
2.dass dieses Comic genug Fragen aufwirft, um in hoffentlich naher Zukunft noch weitere Ausgaben erwarten zu dürfen
Wie man sicherlich aus meinem kurzen Einblick erkennen kann, laufen hier ziemlich viele Handlungsstränge ineinander über und auch wenn sie zuerst alle separat betrachtet werden, laufen sie am Ende irgendwie doch alle zusammen. Den Überblick zu behalten mag am Anfang etwas schwierig erscheinen, doch wenn man sich der Geschichte einmal richtig widmet, dann fällt einem auf, dass irgendwie alles Sinn ergibt. Manche Ereignisse sind natürlich gewichtiger als manch andere und doch konnte mich der Comic wirklich unglaublich gut unterhalten. Besonders gespannt bin ich natürlich auf die Erklärung betreffend die Rückkehr des Wolverine und was er mit der ganzen Sache hier eigentlich zu schaffen hat. Auf ein Zusammentreffen zwischen ihm und Loki – muss ich gestehen – würde ich mich richtig freuen. Neugierig macht es auf alle Fälle.
Die Handlung ist komplex und gerade aus diesem Grund fiebert man so den Fortsetzungen entgegen, wie ich finde. Es wurde mit diesem Comic jedenfalls genug Material geliefert, um die Geschichte noch ein wenig weiter zu spinnen, es stellt sich hier natürlich nur die Frage, wie man dies plausibel tun kann, sodass es nicht zu sehr an den Haaren herbeigezogen wirkt.
Was die grafische Darstellung des Comics angeht, bin ich absolut begeistert. Ich konnte mich gar nicht satt sehen an den ganzen Zeichnungen und bin unglaublich froh darüber, dass ich diesen Comic lesen durfte.
LOHNT SICH DER COMIC?
Für eingefleischte Fans auf jeden Fall. Ich würde allerdings tatsächlich empfehlen, vorher “Secret Empire” zu lesen, da man sich sonst echt richtig verspoilert und einem hier einfach viel zu viel Hintergrundwissen fehlt. Natürlich kann man sich mit entsprechenden Internetrecherchen helfen, doch das Wahre ist das natürlich auch nicht. Unterhalten hat mich das Comic dennoch, die Zeichnungen sind einfach großartig und ich hatte unglaublich viel Freude mit/an den Geschichten. Außerdem war es unglaublich spannend und interessant, mehr über die Ursprünge zu lernen und auch über die potentiellen “Nachfolger” unserer heutigen Superhelden. Der Comic hat mich auf jeden Fall so neugierig zurückgelassen, dass ich entsprechende Folgebände kaum abwarten kann.
March 2, 2018
Got this as a gift. Not really a story, just solid intros into all the characters from Marvel.
November 13, 2019
Mary Jane Watson, grim-faced, strides purposely through a top-secret (?) Stark Industries facility. "This better be good," she says with a scowl, "and I mean season three of The Wire good."
The idea that anyone, let alone a grown-up human who works for a major corporation in a position of responsibility, let alone Mary Jane Watson, could choose to convey the situation's gravity by making a pandering but "witty" pop-culture invocation fills me with despair. I have suspended my disbelief about radioactive spider-bites and Norse gods and everyone's a Skrull, but I can't torture reality into a pretzel sufficient to make this brooding pronouncement plausible. "I am humorless, hear me quip. Seriously, do you guys like The Wire? This is a very serious situation, and that's why I said 'seriously'. Am I cool yet?" is not a monologue I can imagine MJW having. But there it is, thanks to Jason Aaron's tone-deaf need to make everyone try, but fail, to sound like a Joss Whedon character.
The Stone-Age Avengers are pretty cool, though.
The idea that anyone, let alone a grown-up human who works for a major corporation in a position of responsibility, let alone Mary Jane Watson, could choose to convey the situation's gravity by making a pandering but "witty" pop-culture invocation fills me with despair. I have suspended my disbelief about radioactive spider-bites and Norse gods and everyone's a Skrull, but I can't torture reality into a pretzel sufficient to make this brooding pronouncement plausible. "I am humorless, hear me quip. Seriously, do you guys like The Wire? This is a very serious situation, and that's why I said 'seriously'. Am I cool yet?" is not a monologue I can imagine MJW having. But there it is, thanks to Jason Aaron's tone-deaf need to make everyone try, but fail, to sound like a Joss Whedon character.
The Stone-Age Avengers are pretty cool, though.
May 18, 2019
Marvel Legacy ist nun endlich als großer Sammelband erschienen. Ich habe ja bereits die Ausgabe gelesen und euch auch vorgestellt, die die Marvel Legacy Short Story enthält. Dieser Band jedoch bietet jetzt einiges mehr. Neben der besagten Geschichte werden sämtliche Helden des Marvel Legacy Universums vorgestellt. Dafür wurden Panels der Original Comics verwendet und neu mit Text versehen. Für mich eine tolle Übersicht und sicher auch für Marvel Einsteiger ein echter Gewinn. Man findet viele Helden, die man sympathisch findet und deren Comics man im Anschluss unbedingt lesen will. Auf der anderen Seite bekommt man als Neueinsteiger einen super Überblick über die Helden, ihre Einordnung, Fähigkeiten und und und. Eine dicke Empfehlung von mir an euch alle.
May 30, 2018
A bit disappointing with it's lack of weight, but still entertaining. I was just expecting something with a bit more ... gravitas (?; not sure if this what I really want to use, as it's not really the seriousness of the material that's at fault) ... than what's here. I hoping for something a bit more weighty and instead this is little more than a teaser of something much larger. Not really disappointing, just nothing to get all excited about either. The whole package is also disappointing with what it includes, not a lot of story and two tons of hype and propaganda (you'd almost think Stan Lee was involved).
April 11, 2018
Pretty much a waste of time. Marvel tries to set up yet another reboot/refresh of its comics line, but what this does more than anything is show how hopelessly convoluted the continuity has become, mostly with the time-travelling X-Men. The first part is an introduction to a new soryline changing (again) the whole Marvel Universe. Then comes a series of three-page retellings of the origins of most of the main characters and groups. The art varies a lot from the great (the first part) to the average and even pedestrian (the origin stories). The page count is filled with interviews with some of the creators, including a long one with Brian Michael Bendis about all the storylines he's setting up - which becomes hilarious since he jumped ship to DC soon after. Pointless.
October 20, 2018
Bleh. A short, promising narrative (20 percent of the book) followed by repetitive 3-page origin vignettes and some textual filler and variant head shots. I’m glad this was a library check-out and not a purchase.
May 27, 2018
Reviewing a book like Marvel Legacy, now available in a hardcover “Deluxe” edition, can be difficult.
The kick-off special to Marvel’s Fall 2017 publishing initiative, it followed some loosely related main plot threads. After introducing a pre-historic version of the Avengers, who encounter and kill a rogue Celestial, the action shifts to the present day. There, it follows two threads: a savage battle between the latest incarnations of Ghost Rider and Starbrand and a group of heroes attempting to prevent some dark Elves (sent by Loki) from stealing a mystery artifact from a military storage depot. Interspersed between those two threads were vignettes previewing Marvel’s then-upcoming arcs in a number of titles. The Deluxe edition is padded out with 3 to 4 page recaps/origins that ran in the first “Legacy”-branded issues of books that appeared over the winter, as well as some interview material from one of Marvel’s preview magazines.
Here’s the problem: whichever way one chooses to review Marvel Legacy at this point, it comes up as mostly a failure. That’s no knock on the writers and artists involved, all of whom did their usual fine work. The book was serviceable and stirred a little attention with a couple of widely anticipated character comebacks. But as a story, there isn’t much here. The action plays out as the set-up it is, paving the way for both the “Legacy” initiative and the Summer 2018 Infinity Wars event. The story is fine, but doesn’t really go anywhere and doesn’t do enough to stoke anticipation for future developments.
The other way one could view this special was as the kickoff to Marvel’s “Legacy” era. Which might have made it more notable, had Marvel not lost interest in Legacy with a rapidity that was alarming even for the notoriously ADD publisher. Barely six months in, Marvel had already announced it was moving on to “Fresh Start” for numerous of its key books, which leaves Marvel Legacy as the equivalent to an American flag issued between states joining the union in the early 20th century: a somewhat interesting historical curio that’s almost entirely without consequence.
Skeptical fans didn’t quite buy Marvel’s insistence that Legacy was a true change in direction. Unlike DC’s similar “Rebirth” project, Legacy didn’t feel well-planned and it was never clear what Marvel wanted it to be. That it fell to the wayside so quickly bears out why taking it with a grain of salt was well-advised. Strip away that marketing aspect and readers are left with a story that’s not complete in itself. Compounding that problem is all the supplemental material Marvel pads the volume with in order to slap on a $39.99 cover price. While sometimes interesting or entertaining, none of the back matter is worth the cost. This volume becomes even more curious when one consider it’s highly likely that the main story will appear again, in an inevitable “Road to Infinity Wars” collection, making this particular edition even more of a curious beast.
So, if you’re a completist or a hopeless optimist, the “Deluxe” edition of Marvel Legacy may be of interest. Under no circumstances should anyone shell out cover price for this, it’s a cynical attempt at a cash grab for content that in no way justifies the expense. If you can pick it up at a significant discount or borrow it, check it out. Otherwise, wait for the main story to pop up elsewhere.
The kick-off special to Marvel’s Fall 2017 publishing initiative, it followed some loosely related main plot threads. After introducing a pre-historic version of the Avengers, who encounter and kill a rogue Celestial, the action shifts to the present day. There, it follows two threads: a savage battle between the latest incarnations of Ghost Rider and Starbrand and a group of heroes attempting to prevent some dark Elves (sent by Loki) from stealing a mystery artifact from a military storage depot. Interspersed between those two threads were vignettes previewing Marvel’s then-upcoming arcs in a number of titles. The Deluxe edition is padded out with 3 to 4 page recaps/origins that ran in the first “Legacy”-branded issues of books that appeared over the winter, as well as some interview material from one of Marvel’s preview magazines.
Here’s the problem: whichever way one chooses to review Marvel Legacy at this point, it comes up as mostly a failure. That’s no knock on the writers and artists involved, all of whom did their usual fine work. The book was serviceable and stirred a little attention with a couple of widely anticipated character comebacks. But as a story, there isn’t much here. The action plays out as the set-up it is, paving the way for both the “Legacy” initiative and the Summer 2018 Infinity Wars event. The story is fine, but doesn’t really go anywhere and doesn’t do enough to stoke anticipation for future developments.
The other way one could view this special was as the kickoff to Marvel’s “Legacy” era. Which might have made it more notable, had Marvel not lost interest in Legacy with a rapidity that was alarming even for the notoriously ADD publisher. Barely six months in, Marvel had already announced it was moving on to “Fresh Start” for numerous of its key books, which leaves Marvel Legacy as the equivalent to an American flag issued between states joining the union in the early 20th century: a somewhat interesting historical curio that’s almost entirely without consequence.
Skeptical fans didn’t quite buy Marvel’s insistence that Legacy was a true change in direction. Unlike DC’s similar “Rebirth” project, Legacy didn’t feel well-planned and it was never clear what Marvel wanted it to be. That it fell to the wayside so quickly bears out why taking it with a grain of salt was well-advised. Strip away that marketing aspect and readers are left with a story that’s not complete in itself. Compounding that problem is all the supplemental material Marvel pads the volume with in order to slap on a $39.99 cover price. While sometimes interesting or entertaining, none of the back matter is worth the cost. This volume becomes even more curious when one consider it’s highly likely that the main story will appear again, in an inevitable “Road to Infinity Wars” collection, making this particular edition even more of a curious beast.
So, if you’re a completist or a hopeless optimist, the “Deluxe” edition of Marvel Legacy may be of interest. Under no circumstances should anyone shell out cover price for this, it’s a cynical attempt at a cash grab for content that in no way justifies the expense. If you can pick it up at a significant discount or borrow it, check it out. Otherwise, wait for the main story to pop up elsewhere.
April 26, 2018
3.5 Stars.
The one-shot issue that this Volume is based around is a primer that resets some things and gives previews as to what is next. Beginning with a battle against a Celestial, the First Avengers (year 1 million B.C.) appear here and will be known by modern readers as the precursors to many of our current heroes. They are:
- Odin - wielding Mjolnir and complaining about newly created Midgard
- Phoenix - notJean, but looks remarkably like Jean Grey
- The Starbrand - a merging of Starbrand and Hulk, yet controlled and intelligent to a degree
- The Spirit of Vengeance - think Ghost Rider on a Woolly Mammoth. Awesome!
- Black Panther - pretty much the same, but costume made from skin and fur
- Iron Fist - also the same, but a bald woman and not as funny
- Sorcerer Supreme - Agamotto, not Steven Strange... less clothes
I really hope we see more of them.
The rest of the book has a battle between Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) and Starbrand in South Africa, what we can only assume is where the remains of the Celestial are from where Avengers B.C. defeated them. We see Wolverine out of his Adamantium shell and claiming the Space Stone for his own. (NOTE: The Infinity Gems now match the colors of their MCU counterparts. How? Why?) AND.... we see Franklin and Valeria Richards talking about headed home after doing some more cosmic/multiversal creating.
The rest of the book has a bunch of 3 page previews of the upcoming post-Secret Empire, post-Legacy titles; a copy of FOOM magazine containing interviews about Legacy titles; and a ton of variant covers.
A decent outing from Marvel, definitely a good kick-off point, but ultimately nothing super huge... at least to me. Recommend... even more so if you need a starting point for Marvel.
The one-shot issue that this Volume is based around is a primer that resets some things and gives previews as to what is next. Beginning with a battle against a Celestial, the First Avengers (year 1 million B.C.) appear here and will be known by modern readers as the precursors to many of our current heroes. They are:
- Odin - wielding Mjolnir and complaining about newly created Midgard
- Phoenix - notJean, but looks remarkably like Jean Grey
- The Starbrand - a merging of Starbrand and Hulk, yet controlled and intelligent to a degree
- The Spirit of Vengeance - think Ghost Rider on a Woolly Mammoth. Awesome!
- Black Panther - pretty much the same, but costume made from skin and fur
- Iron Fist - also the same, but a bald woman and not as funny
- Sorcerer Supreme - Agamotto, not Steven Strange... less clothes
I really hope we see more of them.
The rest of the book has a battle between Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) and Starbrand in South Africa, what we can only assume is where the remains of the Celestial are from where Avengers B.C. defeated them. We see Wolverine out of his Adamantium shell and claiming the Space Stone for his own. (NOTE: The Infinity Gems now match the colors of their MCU counterparts. How? Why?) AND.... we see Franklin and Valeria Richards talking about headed home after doing some more cosmic/multiversal creating.
The rest of the book has a bunch of 3 page previews of the upcoming post-Secret Empire, post-Legacy titles; a copy of FOOM magazine containing interviews about Legacy titles; and a ton of variant covers.
A decent outing from Marvel, definitely a good kick-off point, but ultimately nothing super huge... at least to me. Recommend... even more so if you need a starting point for Marvel.
June 15, 2018
Considering what this is--a giant advertisement in comic book form teasing what marvel intends to do with their upcoming titles--I thought it was pretty good.
A lot of reviewers are comparing it to DC's Rebirth, and it's clearly got a lot of similarities. It's hard to judge as an actual narrative, because it is clearly primarily an exercise in advertising.
As a narrative there are bits that are pretty cool--the best (and most coherent)--of those bits is the first section dealing with a pre-historic in carnation of the Avengers and their taking down a rogue Celestial. This is probably best because it can be told complete, is original, and isn't advertising anything. It's just setup for the super loose connecting thread of the rest of the volume. There we see teasers for what Marvel intends to do with The Avengers, The Thing & the Human Torch, Wolverine, Captain America, and perhaps a return of the Fantastic Four. All of which sound good to me if Marvel delivers.
The rest of this hard cover book is a collection of three page intros to a variety of current and then-to-be-new Marvel Comics. This book--and a recent visit to an actual comic book store rather than the library--has me realizing just how behind the issue-by-issue publication of comics I have gotten since I quit buying a few years ago and started following everything through trades I get from the library or read at Barnes & Noble. I hope that Marvel lived up to its promises here, it seems to reset the balance between a company which had devoted much of its recent publishing history to new titles and younger fans and bringing back a lot of the old classic stuff that seemed to be dying off. If they hit the balance right this could be great.
A lot of reviewers are comparing it to DC's Rebirth, and it's clearly got a lot of similarities. It's hard to judge as an actual narrative, because it is clearly primarily an exercise in advertising.
As a narrative there are bits that are pretty cool--the best (and most coherent)--of those bits is the first section dealing with a pre-historic in carnation of the Avengers and their taking down a rogue Celestial. This is probably best because it can be told complete, is original, and isn't advertising anything. It's just setup for the super loose connecting thread of the rest of the volume. There we see teasers for what Marvel intends to do with The Avengers, The Thing & the Human Torch, Wolverine, Captain America, and perhaps a return of the Fantastic Four. All of which sound good to me if Marvel delivers.
The rest of this hard cover book is a collection of three page intros to a variety of current and then-to-be-new Marvel Comics. This book--and a recent visit to an actual comic book store rather than the library--has me realizing just how behind the issue-by-issue publication of comics I have gotten since I quit buying a few years ago and started following everything through trades I get from the library or read at Barnes & Noble. I hope that Marvel lived up to its promises here, it seems to reset the balance between a company which had devoted much of its recent publishing history to new titles and younger fans and bringing back a lot of the old classic stuff that seemed to be dying off. If they hit the balance right this could be great.
July 8, 2018
Wow... this is so shit.
It''s like the the dc rebirth trade but crapper. Itstarts off interesting. They have the artist from secret wars and there's a build up. Little hints here and there as expected in the first issue of any event comic but at best that's 2 issues worth if comic. AT BEST.
What follows is those origin pages at the start of a new series. Those ones put there for someone who might not know the character? Yeah those. However, they've made those sections for 34 characters. It's so boring plus it's quite blatantly trying to sell you their new line of comics. I do however acknowledge that I know these characters so it's pointless telling me about them.
Then there's a shirt magazine section called foom. By this point in bored plus a quick glance at the articles they're like those articles from official game console magazines which basically are there to tell you how wonderful marvel legacy will be.
Finally, to finish off this book, there's the variant cover section.
61 pages of variant covers.
198 variant covers.
All I'm going to say is I'm so glad I borrowed this from the library.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to make a graphic novel filled with 2 issues worth if content, 36 mundane origin stories for a load of characters so you'll buy all those comics, a magazine section telling you I'm the best thing since sliced bread followed by 62 pages of variant covers with 199 variant covers, 199 of which will be those blank variant covers you get artists to fill in.
Beat that marvel!!!
It''s like the the dc rebirth trade but crapper. Itstarts off interesting. They have the artist from secret wars and there's a build up. Little hints here and there as expected in the first issue of any event comic but at best that's 2 issues worth if comic. AT BEST.
What follows is those origin pages at the start of a new series. Those ones put there for someone who might not know the character? Yeah those. However, they've made those sections for 34 characters. It's so boring plus it's quite blatantly trying to sell you their new line of comics. I do however acknowledge that I know these characters so it's pointless telling me about them.
Then there's a shirt magazine section called foom. By this point in bored plus a quick glance at the articles they're like those articles from official game console magazines which basically are there to tell you how wonderful marvel legacy will be.
Finally, to finish off this book, there's the variant cover section.
61 pages of variant covers.
198 variant covers.
All I'm going to say is I'm so glad I borrowed this from the library.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to make a graphic novel filled with 2 issues worth if content, 36 mundane origin stories for a load of characters so you'll buy all those comics, a magazine section telling you I'm the best thing since sliced bread followed by 62 pages of variant covers with 199 variant covers, 199 of which will be those blank variant covers you get artists to fill in.
Beat that marvel!!!
March 17, 2018
A 3 rating and that's being generous
The actual Legacy #1 comic is intriguing. Decent story and when Esad draws, its great, but I didn't like the art changes. They clashed with the tone of the book. I wish they had more time for Esad to have drawn it all.
In this tpb, you get Legacy #1 and a bunch of formerly FREE material. MOST of this book is the free material. Its about 20, maybe more, 3-page stories explaining each Marvel character that currently has a comic book coming out. They're okay, and I know the writing and art teams worked hard on them, but they were free material before and it feels weird to fill this book up with them and charge for it.
I get it. They're "Legacy" short stories, but all you really should be paying for here is Legacy #1. So if this tpb is on sale for $5 or less, buy it. You'll at least get your money's worth. If its over $5, just buy Legacy #1 the single issue and download the free short stories online.
The actual Legacy #1 comic is intriguing. Decent story and when Esad draws, its great, but I didn't like the art changes. They clashed with the tone of the book. I wish they had more time for Esad to have drawn it all.
In this tpb, you get Legacy #1 and a bunch of formerly FREE material. MOST of this book is the free material. Its about 20, maybe more, 3-page stories explaining each Marvel character that currently has a comic book coming out. They're okay, and I know the writing and art teams worked hard on them, but they were free material before and it feels weird to fill this book up with them and charge for it.
I get it. They're "Legacy" short stories, but all you really should be paying for here is Legacy #1. So if this tpb is on sale for $5 or less, buy it. You'll at least get your money's worth. If its over $5, just buy Legacy #1 the single issue and download the free short stories online.
January 27, 2021
I enjoyed the first part of the book, great art and a story by Jason Aaron. I thought it would read more as a reintroduction to bringing the original Marvel characters back to the forefront of the Marvel Universe, but that is not quite what this is. The middle section was "Marvel Primers", an introduction to many Marvel characters in three page segments. A novel approach to the subject and well done in both art and writing. The final section of the book was a throwback to the days of "FOOM". It is a cute concept, but as much as this book cost, it was not really the appropriate place for this. Plus, the writing was tiny, hard for a diehard Marvel fan who was around during the original FOOM days to read! Some of the inset columns used an even smaller font yet! Printing ran over to very near the spine of the book making it even harder to read that last column on every other page.
March 9, 2018
A lot of things get described by comics readers as "the perfect jumping-on point." This is literally designed to be that. Of course, due to the rapid rate of change in comics these days, this is even slightly out-of-date, but screw that: this is very goddamn good place to start. If you're a Marvel fan, or lapsed? This is a good place to catch up. Nice callbacks to like, the entire history of Marvel 1962 to the present and a lot of unanswered questions, but in a good way, the way that makes you want to read more comics.
July 16, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I saw some later bits of the prehistoric story, and it seemed somewhat interesting, if a tad unlikely. Unfortunately, that story was only the length of a long issue, and was far from resolved. It was then followed by some two to three page origin stories for most of the current, featured Marvel characters. I had seen a couple of these in other books, and they were alright there, but got a bit tiresome collected all together. Then there was a rather dull Marvel magazine that I barely took the effort to skim. This really isn't worth picking up, since I imagine there will be a better collected version in the future that has all, or at least more, of the prehistoric story, and none of the filler.
April 27, 2018
Public library copy.
Luckily this was a borroiwed book as the price point well exceeded what I perceived the value of contents inside. Firstly, this book acts like an opening chapter to a new ongoing, crossover event, but was entirely supplemented with short story vignettes to pad out the page count. The short stories were better than the stand alone opening chapter.
Luckily this was a borroiwed book as the price point well exceeded what I perceived the value of contents inside. Firstly, this book acts like an opening chapter to a new ongoing, crossover event, but was entirely supplemented with short story vignettes to pad out the page count. The short stories were better than the stand alone opening chapter.
February 28, 2023
Difficult review. I liked the book but felt there was a degree of false advertising. I loved the idea of prehistoric Avengers - Ghost Rider on a mammoth! But that team is barely in it. It's a collection of single issues that are tied together by the 'what legacy do we Ieave' idea. So it's okay, just not necessarily what it promises to be.
December 26, 2018
I really liked the main Legacy story a lot in how it set up a bunch of neat stuff for the past and future of the MarvelU, and I loved all those 3-page primers. They were great! But seriously, that ancient Avengers is a thing I want to see waaaaaaaaay more of.
April 18, 2019
It's a good story of ancient avengers then many, many three page origin stories to bring you up to speed as of 2017. Finally, there's a Foom magazine about Marvel itself, the best part of which is a rememberance of Flo Steinberg.
April 30, 2018
Hey, I'm confused but interested. So there you go.
March 21, 2019
Load of clap-trap.
August 14, 2019
Absolute garbage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews