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Marvels (Collected Editions)
Marvels
Within the Marvel Universe, heroes soar high in the skies, ready to battle the villains who threaten their world. Yet living in the shadow of these extraordinary icons are ordinary men and women who view the "Marvels" with a mixture of fear, disbeliev, envy and admiration. Among them is Phil Sheldon, a New York City photojournalist who has dedicated his career to covering the exploits of the Marvels and their effect on humankind. Written by Kurt Busiek and masterfully illustrated by Alex Ross, Marvels presents a richly painted historical overview of the entire Marvel Universe, spanning from the 1939 debut of the Human Torch to the fearsome coming of the world-devouring Galactus--and culminating in the shocking death of Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man's first love. COLLECTING: Marvels 0-4
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
802 people are currently reading
22792 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,864 books627 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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May 26, 2017
Marvelous reading!!!
This TPB edition collects “Marvels” #0-4, plus commentary section by the involved people even an introduction by Stan Lee, also an artwork section.
Creative Team:
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Illustrator: Alex Ross
A TIME(LY) WHEN MARVEL YET TO PROPERLY BORN
Maybe you have seen material mentioning the 75 years of Marvel, and technically that’s true, but it’s a fact that the company was called “Timely Comics”, and while it’s the same company, it’s obvious that in the 40’s, they were still decades away of its “boom” when Stan Lee (a young assistant in Timely era) started to create his popular characters.
To be fair, and totally unbiased (since I read comics from all houses: DC, Marvel and the Indy ones (I don’t believe in limit myself)), DC Comics also has its blurry era to say that they have 75 years of existence, since when it was created Superman and Batman, it was still two separate companies: National Comics and All-American Comics, in fact, Batman was a result to compete in sales against Superman, and once united under the seal of DC Comics, it has continuously buying other comic book companies, like Fawcett, Charlton, Wildstorm, etc… adding their characters to the DC roster.
So, Timely Comics was a brave beginning where they triumphed with the “Big Three” of that era: Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner and The Human Torch (the original one), and this very book, Marvels is firstly, a tribute to the origins of comics, where it presented in a marvelous way that said “big three”, but also other Timely characters like Millie the Model and Ka-Zar the Great, but even you can glimpse cameos of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, if you know where to look (not to mention The Watchmen in the following development of the story).
Marvels is told from the point of view of Phil Sheldon, a character invented for this tale and where he is a photojournalist and through his camera you’ll watch in a new light the great events that made Marvel what is, and where the human being met a new kind of species with powers and abilities far beyond of those mortal men, questioning what this new rising kind means to the former inhabitants of the planet.
MARVELOUS NEW ERA
After the first chapter of the story dedicated to the “Timely years”, the other three chapters are focused in what known properly as the “Marvel years” where Stan Lee began his excelsior era basically creating the foundations of what is Marvel, with The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The X-Men, Spider-Man (with all the support characters on each title), but also the creations of other talented people that contributed to the success of Marvel like Luke Cage between other ones.
Phil Sheldon is our leading tour guide, where you’ll have a front seat (but still in the observer area) in the major events of the rising of Marvel Comics, starting (in the first chapter) with the battle of Namor vs. The Human Torch, and proceeding to The Wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, The Trial of Galactus, the Mutant Revolution, the Kree-Skrull War, and of course…
…the Day when Gwen Stacy died…
…properly ending the “Silver Age” of Marvel, introducing it to a yet even more mature era of storytelling.
This TPB edition collects “Marvels” #0-4, plus commentary section by the involved people even an introduction by Stan Lee, also an artwork section.
Creative Team:
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Illustrator: Alex Ross
A TIME(LY) WHEN MARVEL YET TO PROPERLY BORN
Maybe you have seen material mentioning the 75 years of Marvel, and technically that’s true, but it’s a fact that the company was called “Timely Comics”, and while it’s the same company, it’s obvious that in the 40’s, they were still decades away of its “boom” when Stan Lee (a young assistant in Timely era) started to create his popular characters.
To be fair, and totally unbiased (since I read comics from all houses: DC, Marvel and the Indy ones (I don’t believe in limit myself)), DC Comics also has its blurry era to say that they have 75 years of existence, since when it was created Superman and Batman, it was still two separate companies: National Comics and All-American Comics, in fact, Batman was a result to compete in sales against Superman, and once united under the seal of DC Comics, it has continuously buying other comic book companies, like Fawcett, Charlton, Wildstorm, etc… adding their characters to the DC roster.
So, Timely Comics was a brave beginning where they triumphed with the “Big Three” of that era: Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner and The Human Torch (the original one), and this very book, Marvels is firstly, a tribute to the origins of comics, where it presented in a marvelous way that said “big three”, but also other Timely characters like Millie the Model and Ka-Zar the Great, but even you can glimpse cameos of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, if you know where to look (not to mention The Watchmen in the following development of the story).
Marvels is told from the point of view of Phil Sheldon, a character invented for this tale and where he is a photojournalist and through his camera you’ll watch in a new light the great events that made Marvel what is, and where the human being met a new kind of species with powers and abilities far beyond of those mortal men, questioning what this new rising kind means to the former inhabitants of the planet.
MARVELOUS NEW ERA
After the first chapter of the story dedicated to the “Timely years”, the other three chapters are focused in what known properly as the “Marvel years” where Stan Lee began his excelsior era basically creating the foundations of what is Marvel, with The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The X-Men, Spider-Man (with all the support characters on each title), but also the creations of other talented people that contributed to the success of Marvel like Luke Cage between other ones.
Phil Sheldon is our leading tour guide, where you’ll have a front seat (but still in the observer area) in the major events of the rising of Marvel Comics, starting (in the first chapter) with the battle of Namor vs. The Human Torch, and proceeding to The Wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, The Trial of Galactus, the Mutant Revolution, the Kree-Skrull War, and of course…
…the Day when Gwen Stacy died…
…properly ending the “Silver Age” of Marvel, introducing it to a yet even more mature era of storytelling.
November 18, 2019
Treasure of the Rubbermaids 17: Marvel At Marvel’s Marvelous ‘Marvels’!
The on-going discoveries of priceless books and comics found in a stack of Rubbermaid containers previously stored and forgotten at my parent’s house and untouched for almost 20 years. Thanks to my father dumping them back on me, I now spend my spare time unearthing lost treasures from their plastic depths.
I would hate to be a New Yorker in the Marvel universe because it seems like the city is constantly being threatened by super villains, invaded by aliens, flooded by pissed off Atlanteans, or beset by some other form of comic book mayhem. I’ll bet it’s impossible to get property insurance at all.
Comic book readers get a ring side seat and full explanations for everything that’s happening, but what would your average man on the street think about all this insanity? That’s what Marvels explores beautifully.
Phil Sheldon is a young newspaper photographer during the Great Depression who witnesses the public unveiling of the original Human Torch followed shortly after by the appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner. Like most people, Sheldon is initially shocked and disturbed by these new super beings he thinks of as Marvels who routinely turn New York into a battleground. With the coming of WWII and the introduction of Captain America, Phil embraces the costumed heroes who fight the Nazis.
Years later in the early ‘60s, an explosion of superheroes creates an odd mix of emotions in Phil and the general public. The Fantastic Four and The Avengers are celebrities who get put on magazine covers while some don’t know whether Spider-Man is a good guy or a criminal, and the mutant X-Men are feared and persecuted. Phil’s work as a photojournalist puts him in the middle of almost every big event Marvel did during the Silver Age, and he frequently finds himself conflicted about how he feels about them.
This does a great job of exploring that idea of how the public responds to larger than life characters and events that make them feel scared and insignificant, and one of the things I’ve always liked about Marvel’s comics is how they've always portrayed the public's attitudes towards the superheroes as being full of contradictions. People cheer the heroes like Iron Man and Captain America, but some blame them for the fights that cause so much destruction. The mutants are the target of hatred and bigotry while stores sell clothing lines based on the many costumes of Wasp. New Yorkers will cheer on the Fantastic Four as they battle Galactus to save the entire world, but just days later their landlord will try to evict them from the Baxter Building for the danger they attract.
Phil’s a great character to use in the midst of this because he’s a decent, ordinary guy who is still fully capable of giving into his worst instincts at times. He makes a career out of documenting the craziness that comes with the superheroes and thinks deeply about what the heroes mean to all of them. At times he almost worships them but can easily swing to resentment and jealously. Phil’s attitude towards them mirror how the superheroes have always been portrayed with a mixture of admiration and fear in the Marvel comics.
The stunning artwork has a retro realism to it that really makes you feel like you’re looking at people wearing tights in the 1960s, yet still conveys all the wonder of seeing someone otherworldly like the Silver Surfer.
By showing us how one regular person reacted to some of Marvel’s greatest hits, this moving tribute to the past gives a fresh perspective on how fans relate to the characters in these wild and amazing stories.
The on-going discoveries of priceless books and comics found in a stack of Rubbermaid containers previously stored and forgotten at my parent’s house and untouched for almost 20 years. Thanks to my father dumping them back on me, I now spend my spare time unearthing lost treasures from their plastic depths.
I would hate to be a New Yorker in the Marvel universe because it seems like the city is constantly being threatened by super villains, invaded by aliens, flooded by pissed off Atlanteans, or beset by some other form of comic book mayhem. I’ll bet it’s impossible to get property insurance at all.
Comic book readers get a ring side seat and full explanations for everything that’s happening, but what would your average man on the street think about all this insanity? That’s what Marvels explores beautifully.
Phil Sheldon is a young newspaper photographer during the Great Depression who witnesses the public unveiling of the original Human Torch followed shortly after by the appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner. Like most people, Sheldon is initially shocked and disturbed by these new super beings he thinks of as Marvels who routinely turn New York into a battleground. With the coming of WWII and the introduction of Captain America, Phil embraces the costumed heroes who fight the Nazis.
Years later in the early ‘60s, an explosion of superheroes creates an odd mix of emotions in Phil and the general public. The Fantastic Four and The Avengers are celebrities who get put on magazine covers while some don’t know whether Spider-Man is a good guy or a criminal, and the mutant X-Men are feared and persecuted. Phil’s work as a photojournalist puts him in the middle of almost every big event Marvel did during the Silver Age, and he frequently finds himself conflicted about how he feels about them.
This does a great job of exploring that idea of how the public responds to larger than life characters and events that make them feel scared and insignificant, and one of the things I’ve always liked about Marvel’s comics is how they've always portrayed the public's attitudes towards the superheroes as being full of contradictions. People cheer the heroes like Iron Man and Captain America, but some blame them for the fights that cause so much destruction. The mutants are the target of hatred and bigotry while stores sell clothing lines based on the many costumes of Wasp. New Yorkers will cheer on the Fantastic Four as they battle Galactus to save the entire world, but just days later their landlord will try to evict them from the Baxter Building for the danger they attract.
Phil’s a great character to use in the midst of this because he’s a decent, ordinary guy who is still fully capable of giving into his worst instincts at times. He makes a career out of documenting the craziness that comes with the superheroes and thinks deeply about what the heroes mean to all of them. At times he almost worships them but can easily swing to resentment and jealously. Phil’s attitude towards them mirror how the superheroes have always been portrayed with a mixture of admiration and fear in the Marvel comics.
The stunning artwork has a retro realism to it that really makes you feel like you’re looking at people wearing tights in the 1960s, yet still conveys all the wonder of seeing someone otherworldly like the Silver Surfer.
By showing us how one regular person reacted to some of Marvel’s greatest hits, this moving tribute to the past gives a fresh perspective on how fans relate to the characters in these wild and amazing stories.
September 30, 2021
This triple(!) Eisner award winning five part limited series takes a look at the Marvel Universe from the point of view of a photojournalist from 1939 through to 1974, attempting to capture the everyman's perspective.
An original, highly praised and very popular piece of work that remains a standard bearer for the superhero genre. Kurt Busiek manages to weave the history of Marvel around the life, loves, family and personal responsibilities of a photojournalist assisted by the incredible painted artwork of Alex Ross. 8 out of 12
An original, highly praised and very popular piece of work that remains a standard bearer for the superhero genre. Kurt Busiek manages to weave the history of Marvel around the life, loves, family and personal responsibilities of a photojournalist assisted by the incredible painted artwork of Alex Ross. 8 out of 12
June 25, 2024
Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross’ Marvels is their love letter to the superheroes of the Golden Age and Silver Age of Marvel Comics. Theirs is a tale that examines the Marvel universe through the eye of an everyman character, Phil Sheldon. Like his fellow unpowered denizens, he and his family have to live through every invasion, super-villain attack and the coming of Galactus fearing that each crisis would bring about the end of their world.
The story brought it acclaim and the theme explored in several other books featuring painted art. But it is Alex Ross’ art that would be the true reason this work stands out. Each cover and page is lovingly painted in the photorealistic style that becomes Ross’ trademark. It is not traced, or done by light box, but every line is rendered by freehand. Every detail is in there, rendered by a key eye who certainly knows his comics. Some of its panels are even recreated from key moments in Marvel comics.
It is a joy to read, or even just to scan the beautiful art. Every comics fan should a copy of this masterpiece. Even if you don’t appreciate comics, this is a book that will improve your opinion of comics, as this a product of high production values and a keen eye for detail.
The story brought it acclaim and the theme explored in several other books featuring painted art. But it is Alex Ross’ art that would be the true reason this work stands out. Each cover and page is lovingly painted in the photorealistic style that becomes Ross’ trademark. It is not traced, or done by light box, but every line is rendered by freehand. Every detail is in there, rendered by a key eye who certainly knows his comics. Some of its panels are even recreated from key moments in Marvel comics.
It is a joy to read, or even just to scan the beautiful art. Every comics fan should a copy of this masterpiece. Even if you don’t appreciate comics, this is a book that will improve your opinion of comics, as this a product of high production values and a keen eye for detail.
August 25, 2012
Photographer Phil Sheldon experiences what it's like to live in a world of super heroes, from the rise of the Human Torch in the late thirties all the way to the dawn of the mutants, the first appearance of Galactus, and the death of Gwen Stacy.
When Marvels first hit scene, I was a wee lad of 17. The internet was in its infancy and comic shops were dying by the dozen. As it became easier to come by comics, or "graphic novels" if you're too cool to read comics, I always had a mind to read this but didn't pick it up until recently.
Maybe it was just nearly twenty years of expectations but I wasn't wowed by this. Sure, the premise is cool and Alex Ross is still Alex Ross but not a hell of a lot happens. Busiek's writing has never done much for me and this is no exception. I think Busiek should send Alex Ross a fruit basket or something every week considering this is the book that moved Busiek on to bigger and better things.
Don't get me wrong, I like Phil Sheldon's odyssey through the Marvel universe from an everyman's point of view. It's cool seeing what he thinks about things and how his life unfolds alongside superheroes fighting in the streets and sky of New York for decades.
A brief sidebar, if I may. One thing that always bugged me about the Marvel Universe is how the mutants are continuously feared and/or shat upon but the regular superheroes are idolized for the most part. Really? Is it more likely that the X-Men are going to destroy your house during a battle than the Avengers? Is a mutant more dangerous than someone like the Spider-Man? Anyway, back to the show.
Maybe my less than stellar reaction to this book is due to almost 20 years of speculation on my part. I kept thinking, when is stuff going to happen? I feel like Alex Ross's artwork was wasted and should have been used on a story with more action, more like Kingdom Come, which I rated higher than this but probably won't hold up well under a re-read.
So yeah. Marvels. Fantastic art, kind of a meh story for me. It may have been a case of wrong book, wrong time. Your mileage may vary.
When Marvels first hit scene, I was a wee lad of 17. The internet was in its infancy and comic shops were dying by the dozen. As it became easier to come by comics, or "graphic novels" if you're too cool to read comics, I always had a mind to read this but didn't pick it up until recently.
Maybe it was just nearly twenty years of expectations but I wasn't wowed by this. Sure, the premise is cool and Alex Ross is still Alex Ross but not a hell of a lot happens. Busiek's writing has never done much for me and this is no exception. I think Busiek should send Alex Ross a fruit basket or something every week considering this is the book that moved Busiek on to bigger and better things.
Don't get me wrong, I like Phil Sheldon's odyssey through the Marvel universe from an everyman's point of view. It's cool seeing what he thinks about things and how his life unfolds alongside superheroes fighting in the streets and sky of New York for decades.
A brief sidebar, if I may. One thing that always bugged me about the Marvel Universe is how the mutants are continuously feared and/or shat upon but the regular superheroes are idolized for the most part. Really? Is it more likely that the X-Men are going to destroy your house during a battle than the Avengers? Is a mutant more dangerous than someone like the Spider-Man? Anyway, back to the show.
Maybe my less than stellar reaction to this book is due to almost 20 years of speculation on my part. I kept thinking, when is stuff going to happen? I feel like Alex Ross's artwork was wasted and should have been used on a story with more action, more like Kingdom Come, which I rated higher than this but probably won't hold up well under a re-read.
So yeah. Marvels. Fantastic art, kind of a meh story for me. It may have been a case of wrong book, wrong time. Your mileage may vary.
February 7, 2017
I just read Ed Brubaker's Marvels Project and liked that a bit better, but it may just be a matter of taste. I like Brubaker's and Steve Epting's earthier noir approach versus the glossier, more dramatic work of Busier and Ross. But I gave both 4 stars. They both take a kind of unique wide angle, meta and historical approach to the history and purpose of comics; both are approaches to the inception of the Golden Age of superheroes in the late thirties, as WWII loomed (for the US). We see the love of comics at least in the US in both volumes as in part driven by our interest in fighting Evil, and with a sense of optimism about doing so in the waning of the Depression. Everything seems possible. We can unite with them under FDR's leadership with the Allies to defeat a common enemy. Both humanize the comics, putting it in the context of regular folks, helping us see things from the angle of the Everyman that encountered them suddenly everywhere.
Marvels looks at heroes and villains with a more contemporary feel, with moral ambiguity about what they positively and negatively might do with their powers. It's dangerous having all these superheroes flying around! Busiek takes the approach specifically of telling the story through photographer Phil Sheldon. He's even hurt by one of them in the process, but keeps on snapping. We get to meet many of them, too, one by one. The point is ALL of them, just rolling out many of them versus a focus on one superhero and his story. And Sheldon does the meta-fictional thing of publishing a book of photographs of superheroes called Marvels. There are Ross pages with dramatic swooping inspiring superhero feats alternating with the corresponding intimacy of the awe and worries of the Common Man.
Over all, I would say with Brubaker's volume they are indispensable comics works, and I am glad I have finally read them.
Marvels looks at heroes and villains with a more contemporary feel, with moral ambiguity about what they positively and negatively might do with their powers. It's dangerous having all these superheroes flying around! Busiek takes the approach specifically of telling the story through photographer Phil Sheldon. He's even hurt by one of them in the process, but keeps on snapping. We get to meet many of them, too, one by one. The point is ALL of them, just rolling out many of them versus a focus on one superhero and his story. And Sheldon does the meta-fictional thing of publishing a book of photographs of superheroes called Marvels. There are Ross pages with dramatic swooping inspiring superhero feats alternating with the corresponding intimacy of the awe and worries of the Common Man.
Over all, I would say with Brubaker's volume they are indispensable comics works, and I am glad I have finally read them.
August 1, 2019
2.5 stars
I think I get what Marvel was aiming for with Marvels, and I've been a fan of their legendary roster of 'super'-characters for nearly 40 years, but this book was . . . dull. Said characters aren't even the stars of this storyline - they're strictly limited to 'featured' status, noticeably detached in a sense.
The plot focuses on a fictional New York City photojournalist (the second time I've used that job title in a review today - how odd) from 'The Greatest Generation' who specializes in covering the notable superheroes who debut during the WWII era (Captain America, Sub-Mariner, etc.) and then later in the 60's (Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, Spider-Man, and many more). The illustrations were often first-rate and the humor was sly on occasion (e.g. look for the Beatles, among other celebs, attending the nuptials of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Girl), but the story just seemed creaky.
I think I get what Marvel was aiming for with Marvels, and I've been a fan of their legendary roster of 'super'-characters for nearly 40 years, but this book was . . . dull. Said characters aren't even the stars of this storyline - they're strictly limited to 'featured' status, noticeably detached in a sense.
The plot focuses on a fictional New York City photojournalist (the second time I've used that job title in a review today - how odd) from 'The Greatest Generation' who specializes in covering the notable superheroes who debut during the WWII era (Captain America, Sub-Mariner, etc.) and then later in the 60's (Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, Spider-Man, and many more). The illustrations were often first-rate and the humor was sly on occasion (e.g. look for the Beatles, among other celebs, attending the nuptials of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Girl), but the story just seemed creaky.
May 3, 2013
In my view Marvels is one of, if not the greatest, comics released by Marvel Comics. I first encountered it as a twelve year old and have read it several times since. And each time I encounter again what it is that makes Marvels a stand out work in the Marvel universe of comics.
The artwork in Marvels is clearly a stand-out feature. Though Alex Ross is better known for his work in the also grand Kingdom Come I personally prefer his artwork here where he first worked his unique stylistic magic. In my eyes Marvels has some of the greatest illustrations in the genre. While Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns may be the greatest acclaimed graphic novels, I believe that alongside Batman: Noel this novel has the greatest artwork style.
The story is essentially a trip through Marvel comic history, beginning with the WW2 based heroes and moving forward to the space-age/cosmic heroes. This trip is seen from the Odyssean perspective of one man by the name of Phil Sheldon. Phil is a photographer who through the course of the novel takes advantage of the rise of superheroes to gain work experiences. Through his eyes the reader sees how the world is changing with the rise of the superhero and the prejudice as regards the mutant X-Men.
As an aspect of this comic history the reader can see the interconnected nature of the comics. I believe this shows better than any Marvel comic how connected the story arcs are. And in this way it makes the perfect entry novel into the Marvel universe. It also makes for the perfect novel to see a progression of human reactions to the heroes across the different entire continuing arcs.
Part of the joy and brilliance of this graphic novel is how it also shows how individuals respond to the heroic and to the extraordinary. There is the sense that there are those vigilante style heroes - the Spiderman characters - who are disliked, because, despite being the heroes with power and responsibility, they are the heroes who make the right calls. There are the heroes like The Avengers, the public heroes which are loved and adored by many until they make an error or leave an unforgiving public to their fate. Then there are the X-Men, those unloved figures seeking desperately to be accepted and working behind the scenes as heroes. And then of course for every hero you have a villain, the individual who chooses to use their abilities for other purposes.
The book essentially could be seen as filled with metaphors for the changes in history after WW2. For instance the rise of the nuclear powered heroes, or heroes who gained powers from nuclear power, are representative of the advent of the Cold War, where the racism directed against the X-Men reminds one of the periods of racism throughout recent history. In such a way though Marvels is a beautiful romp through a world imbued with super-heroics it is also a tribute to our own history and a reminder through the eyes of the everyman of how we as people adapt to the changing times.
In short this is a poignant book full of superheroes and also with a deeper look into how the ordinary individual must survive in a world where men and women can tear down buildings with ease. Or to put it in other words, how men and women survive in an era of gods and mortals, an era of politics and advanced technology. It is the story of the 'marvels' but it is also the story of the ordinary people caught in the crossfire of the miraculous and therefore the deadly. And I personally know of few other comics (perhaps Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns in some sense do this) that take a look into how people are affected by the extraordinary. As such I rate this as an important, must read, graphic novel.
January 10, 2018
A very bland book story-wise that is only saved by Alex Ross and his beautiful painted artwork.
It's basically a condensed history of the Marvel universe shown from the perspective of the regular people. As a result, we don't really see any of the superheroes doing anything heroic, and the regular folks' perspective doesn't bring anything interesting to the table by itself. If anything, it makes it even more obvious how arbitrarily and illogically hate is distributed among the superheroes in the Marvel universe. People hate the X-Men because... why, exactly? Why don't they hate Captain America the same way? Why do people despise Spider-Man but not the Fantastic Four, love The Wasp and can't stand Iron Man (apparently)? The book clumsily raises those questions but doesn't have a clear answer. I'm not sure what kind of message Busiek was aiming for here, but I missed it.
That Alex Ross art, though... Every time he gets to do a splash page or a double spread, it's phenomenal. This is the book's main strength, and if it was just that — a retelling of Marvel universe history illustrated exclusively by large format Alex Ross paintings, it would have been infinitely better. This could have been the definitive go-to comic for new Marvel readers, showing everything they need to know about the universe. As it is, though, the tacked-on story of Phil Sheldon the photographer is soulless, pointless and entirely forgettable, and that's a real shame.
It's basically a condensed history of the Marvel universe shown from the perspective of the regular people. As a result, we don't really see any of the superheroes doing anything heroic, and the regular folks' perspective doesn't bring anything interesting to the table by itself. If anything, it makes it even more obvious how arbitrarily and illogically hate is distributed among the superheroes in the Marvel universe. People hate the X-Men because... why, exactly? Why don't they hate Captain America the same way? Why do people despise Spider-Man but not the Fantastic Four, love The Wasp and can't stand Iron Man (apparently)? The book clumsily raises those questions but doesn't have a clear answer. I'm not sure what kind of message Busiek was aiming for here, but I missed it.
That Alex Ross art, though... Every time he gets to do a splash page or a double spread, it's phenomenal. This is the book's main strength, and if it was just that — a retelling of Marvel universe history illustrated exclusively by large format Alex Ross paintings, it would have been infinitely better. This could have been the definitive go-to comic for new Marvel readers, showing everything they need to know about the universe. As it is, though, the tacked-on story of Phil Sheldon the photographer is soulless, pointless and entirely forgettable, and that's a real shame.
May 26, 2022
Review published at https://amanjareads.com/2022/03/31/ma...
Marvels is the beginning of the Marvel universe from the perspective of a New York reporter named Phil. It begins in 1940 as a scientist reveals his newest invention, the Human Torch.
From there the world quickly experiences a surplus of superpowered superbeings. Some, like Captain America, are instantly beloved. And some, like the poor X-Men, are immediately villainized.
Phil documents it all with his camera and experiences a whirlwind of experiences with beings far above his level of comprehension. The book makes strong commentary about what it means to be human who feels helpless in a world full of dangers both relatable and completely far fetched.
It was wise to follow this story from the perspective of an unknown player. Phil is relatable and doesn't require previous Marvel knowledge. His humanity toward the conflicts in the book is powerful. The author manages to make huge intergalactic conflicts parallel issues that we've seen throughout history as well as today.
The art is absolutely stunning in its realism. It's a style that is far more common for covers than whole books and makes this one feel extra special. It also places the book back in time but the context of the book could easily have been written today with how fresh and relatable it feels.
I strongly recommend this one for Marvel fans or casual readers. It is one of those comic books that transcends fandom to stand fully on its own.
Marvels is the beginning of the Marvel universe from the perspective of a New York reporter named Phil. It begins in 1940 as a scientist reveals his newest invention, the Human Torch.
From there the world quickly experiences a surplus of superpowered superbeings. Some, like Captain America, are instantly beloved. And some, like the poor X-Men, are immediately villainized.
Phil documents it all with his camera and experiences a whirlwind of experiences with beings far above his level of comprehension. The book makes strong commentary about what it means to be human who feels helpless in a world full of dangers both relatable and completely far fetched.
It was wise to follow this story from the perspective of an unknown player. Phil is relatable and doesn't require previous Marvel knowledge. His humanity toward the conflicts in the book is powerful. The author manages to make huge intergalactic conflicts parallel issues that we've seen throughout history as well as today.
The art is absolutely stunning in its realism. It's a style that is far more common for covers than whole books and makes this one feel extra special. It also places the book back in time but the context of the book could easily have been written today with how fresh and relatable it feels.
I strongly recommend this one for Marvel fans or casual readers. It is one of those comic books that transcends fandom to stand fully on its own.
August 3, 2015
It took me a bit to warm up to this one but by the end I had come around. Obviously great art and a very good story. I know they shared the artist but I felt like this had a Marvel's version of Kingdom Come feel (though I know this came first so maybe Kingdom Come was DC's version of this).
June 15, 2012
I've read Marvels more times than I can possibly count. Thousands of other people have written glowing reviews so much better than I ever could. Let me just say that I love this book, I always have. The experience of reading it is always magical for me, completely enthralling. And the art, that makes it all feel so real while I'm reading it... This goes very high on my list of all-time favorite comics.
November 4, 2021
Видавництво «Molfar Comics» дивує, бо я давно чекав на мальопис із малюнком Алекса Росса. Вперше я побачив роботи цього художника саме на обкладинках до коміксів.
Але у його доробку є й комікси повністю намальовані ним. Його стиль сподобався саме реалізмом, бо від споглядання на його роботи захоплює подих.
Курт Б‘юсік створив історію, яка описує молодого фотографа Філа Шелдона, який починає свою кар’єру на зорі епохи Marvel. Ми бачимо, як цей новий світ розкривається з його очей. Люди кличуть супергероїв Дивами, що дуже пасує їм, з огляду на те хто ж вони такі. Боги, безсмерті, таємничі... Основна увага в історії полягає в тому, щоб побачити, як Дива впливають на повсякденне життя звичайних людей, з якими вони діляться своїм містом. І це дуже підкупає, бо відчувається реальність історії.
Під час читання не так багато кадрів із самими супергероями, але постійне здивування, захоплення і підняті голови людей вгору змушують повірити, що коли піднімеш голову й ти до неба, то побачиш Дива. Тому у жевріє постійне відчуття, що Дива десь поряд і зможуть прилетіти на допомогу.
Геніально з боку сюжету та малюнку.
Але у його доробку є й комікси повністю намальовані ним. Його стиль сподобався саме реалізмом, бо від споглядання на його роботи захоплює подих.
Курт Б‘юсік створив історію, яка описує молодого фотографа Філа Шелдона, який починає свою кар’єру на зорі епохи Marvel. Ми бачимо, як цей новий світ розкривається з його очей. Люди кличуть супергероїв Дивами, що дуже пасує їм, з огляду на те хто ж вони такі. Боги, безсмерті, таємничі... Основна увага в історії полягає в тому, щоб побачити, як Дива впливають на повсякденне життя звичайних людей, з якими вони діляться своїм містом. І це дуже підкупає, бо відчувається реальність історії.
Під час читання не так багато кадрів із самими супергероями, але постійне здивування, захоплення і підняті голови людей вгору змушують повірити, що коли піднімеш голову й ти до неба, то побачиш Дива. Тому у жевріє постійне відчуття, що Дива десь поряд і зможуть прилетіти на допомогу.
Геніально з боку сюжету та малюнку.
February 16, 2016
I had no real preconceptions going into this, so this knocked me out of my chair and into the milky pools of Alex Ross's paint. Man that was good. One of the most unique and, what's the word, atypical superhero comics probably ever written, by one Kurt Busiek. It strikes me as Watchmenesque in its examination of heroes and villains and their moral ambiguity, particularly in relation to civilians. There's a lot of action considering it only happens if Phil Sheldon is there snapping photographs, like a story of negatives, what isn't there. There's even meta fiction here, as Phil Sheldon writes a book called Marvels that is essentially this book. My only criticism is the back and forth soap opera of the Marvels, as each character is at some point either fighting the Nazis for America or trying to destroy America, with little or no justification. But then again, that could be satire for the space opera nature of comic book events, how without provocation characters morally flip flop to suit that particular week's plotting. At any rate, downright amazing, or should I say Marvelous?
Read
November 15, 2016Süper kahramanların gerçek olduğu bir dünyada sıradan bir insan olmanın nasıl olacağını hiç düşündünüz mü? Bahsettiğim şey, mesela yarın, birdenbire şehrinizde süper kahramanlar belirseydi ne hissederdiniz? Tüm o patlamalar, yıkılan binalar sizin yaşadığınız şehrin göbeğinde olsaydı?
Marvels, yani Mucizeler işte süper kahramanlar dünyasına bu şekilde yaklaşıyor. Bir süper kahraman çizgi romanı olsa da, olayı kahramanların gözünden değil, sıradan bir haber fotoğrafçısının gözünden anlatıyor.
“Mucizeler”, çizgi romanımızın ana karakteri olan fotoğrafçı Phil Sheldon‘ın süper kahramanlara verdiği isim. Kitabımız, Phineas Horton‘ın ilk Human Torch‘u, yani Alev Adam ya da daha çok sevdiğim Türkçesiyle Canlı Meşale’yi yaratmasıyla başlıyor. Sentetik bir android olan ve havayla temas ettiği anda alev alan Human Torch’un tanıtıldığı basın toplantısının fotoğraflarını çeken Sheldon, toplantıdaki diğer basın mensuplarının aksine bu olaydan etkileniyor. Herkes bunun sıradan bir göz yanıltma gösterisi olduğunu düşünürken, Human Torch’un kıpırdadığı Sheldon’ın gözlerinden kaçmıyor ve olayın gerçek olduğunu anlıyor.
Medyadan gördüğü tepkiler üzerine oğlu olarak gördüğü androidi beton kaplı bir odaya hapsedip gömmek zorunda kalan Horton, bir çeşit babalık içgüdüsüyle, androidin beynine dünyayla ilgili bilgiler aktarıyor. Beton çatlayınca da Human Torch tekrar hayat buluyor ve Mucizelerin doğuşu başlamış oluyor.
Tam bu sıralarda, Namor Atlantis’ten çıkarak Manhattan’a geliyor ve bazen insanlara yardım ediyor, bazen onlarla savaşıyor. Zaten “süper” kavramına uzak olan insanlar, Human Torch ve Namor hakkında ne düşüneceklerini bilemiyorlar. İkisini bazen seviyor, bazense onlardan düşman gibi bahsediyorlar. Bu sırada ortaya çıkan Captain America ise, insanların “Mucizeler”e bakış açısını olumlu yönde epey etkiliyor.
Sürekli yeni kahramanlar ortaya çıkıp sürekli olaylar olurken, sıradan insanların bu olaylara bakış açılarını görüyoruz hikayeler boyunca. İnsanlar kurtarıldıkları zaman kahramanları seviyor ve onları sahipleniyor, ama ertesi gün sanki hiçbir şey olmamış, hayatlarını onlar kurtarmamış gibi kahramanlardan nefret ediyorlar.
Bunun altında yatan dürtünün ise korku olduğu sıklıkla gösteriliyor. Binlerce yıldır her şeyi kendileri başarmış ve zorlukların üstesinden gelmiş olan insanlar, Mucizelerin yanında sönük hatta aşağı kaldıkları için kendilerini kötü hissediyorlar ve Mucizlerin yapabileceklerinden korkuyorlar. Superman çizgi romanlarında da sıklıkla işlenen bu konu, Marvel evreninin tamamını içine alacak şekilde işleniyor. Neredeyse bütün Marvel kahramanlarını görmenin yanında, J. J. Jameson ve Ben Urich gibi pek çok yan ve “normal” karakteri de görüyoruz hikaye boyunca.
Bir de Mutantlar ortaya çıkınca, işler içinden çıkılmaz bir hal alıyor. Zaten X-Men okuyanların bildiği “Mutant düşmanlığı” hadisesi, bu sefer Mutantların değil de insanların gözünden anlatılıyor.
Hala okumadıysanız Marvels’ı şiddetle tavsiye ediyorum. Eğer okuduysanız, zaten bu cildin defalarca okunmayı hak ettiğini biliyorsunuzdur.
- Türker BEŞE
İncelemenin tamamı için: http://kayiprihtim.com/inceleme/marve...
Marvels, yani Mucizeler işte süper kahramanlar dünyasına bu şekilde yaklaşıyor. Bir süper kahraman çizgi romanı olsa da, olayı kahramanların gözünden değil, sıradan bir haber fotoğrafçısının gözünden anlatıyor.
“Mucizeler”, çizgi romanımızın ana karakteri olan fotoğrafçı Phil Sheldon‘ın süper kahramanlara verdiği isim. Kitabımız, Phineas Horton‘ın ilk Human Torch‘u, yani Alev Adam ya da daha çok sevdiğim Türkçesiyle Canlı Meşale’yi yaratmasıyla başlıyor. Sentetik bir android olan ve havayla temas ettiği anda alev alan Human Torch’un tanıtıldığı basın toplantısının fotoğraflarını çeken Sheldon, toplantıdaki diğer basın mensuplarının aksine bu olaydan etkileniyor. Herkes bunun sıradan bir göz yanıltma gösterisi olduğunu düşünürken, Human Torch’un kıpırdadığı Sheldon’ın gözlerinden kaçmıyor ve olayın gerçek olduğunu anlıyor.
Medyadan gördüğü tepkiler üzerine oğlu olarak gördüğü androidi beton kaplı bir odaya hapsedip gömmek zorunda kalan Horton, bir çeşit babalık içgüdüsüyle, androidin beynine dünyayla ilgili bilgiler aktarıyor. Beton çatlayınca da Human Torch tekrar hayat buluyor ve Mucizelerin doğuşu başlamış oluyor.
Tam bu sıralarda, Namor Atlantis’ten çıkarak Manhattan’a geliyor ve bazen insanlara yardım ediyor, bazen onlarla savaşıyor. Zaten “süper” kavramına uzak olan insanlar, Human Torch ve Namor hakkında ne düşüneceklerini bilemiyorlar. İkisini bazen seviyor, bazense onlardan düşman gibi bahsediyorlar. Bu sırada ortaya çıkan Captain America ise, insanların “Mucizeler”e bakış açısını olumlu yönde epey etkiliyor.
Sürekli yeni kahramanlar ortaya çıkıp sürekli olaylar olurken, sıradan insanların bu olaylara bakış açılarını görüyoruz hikayeler boyunca. İnsanlar kurtarıldıkları zaman kahramanları seviyor ve onları sahipleniyor, ama ertesi gün sanki hiçbir şey olmamış, hayatlarını onlar kurtarmamış gibi kahramanlardan nefret ediyorlar.
Bunun altında yatan dürtünün ise korku olduğu sıklıkla gösteriliyor. Binlerce yıldır her şeyi kendileri başarmış ve zorlukların üstesinden gelmiş olan insanlar, Mucizelerin yanında sönük hatta aşağı kaldıkları için kendilerini kötü hissediyorlar ve Mucizlerin yapabileceklerinden korkuyorlar. Superman çizgi romanlarında da sıklıkla işlenen bu konu, Marvel evreninin tamamını içine alacak şekilde işleniyor. Neredeyse bütün Marvel kahramanlarını görmenin yanında, J. J. Jameson ve Ben Urich gibi pek çok yan ve “normal” karakteri de görüyoruz hikaye boyunca.
Bir de Mutantlar ortaya çıkınca, işler içinden çıkılmaz bir hal alıyor. Zaten X-Men okuyanların bildiği “Mutant düşmanlığı” hadisesi, bu sefer Mutantların değil de insanların gözünden anlatılıyor.
Hala okumadıysanız Marvels’ı şiddetle tavsiye ediyorum. Eğer okuduysanız, zaten bu cildin defalarca okunmayı hak ettiğini biliyorsunuzdur.
- Türker BEŞE
İncelemenin tamamı için: http://kayiprihtim.com/inceleme/marve...
August 27, 2016
Το τσίμπησα χθες με λιγότερα από 9 ευρώ και δεν κρατήθηκα στιγμή, το ξεκίνησα αμέσως. Και πριν λίγο το τελείωσα και δηλώνω ενθουσιασμένος. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι έχω διαβάσει ελάχιστα έως καθόλου κόμικς της Μάρβελ και ό,τι ξέρω για το σύμπαν της είναι από τις διάφορες ταινίες. Καλώς ή κακώς. Όμως αυτό το γεγονός δεν με εμπόδισε από το να απολαύσω αυτό το εξαιρετικό έργο τέχνης, που αποτελεί ένα κόσμημα για κάθε λάτρη των υπερηρωικών κόμικς.
Η ιστορία είναι πραγματικά πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα και ιδιαίτερα καλογραμμένη. Μου άρεσε αυτή η διαφορετική ματιά απέναντι στους υπερήρωες, μιας και βλέπουμε τους ίδιους και τις μάχες μεταξύ τους αλλά και με εχθρούς, από την πλευρά των απλών ανθρώπων, των πολιτών της Νέας Υόρκης. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, αφηγητής και κύριο πρόσωπο της ιστορίας είναι ο Φιλ Σέλντον, ένας φωτορεπόρτερ. Βλέπουμε πως η ύπαρξη αλλά και η δράση των υπερηρώων επηρεάζει την ζωή των ανθρώπων, που δεν μπορούν να κάνουν και πολλά πράγματα απέναντι τους. Οι άνθρωποι είναι, πλέον, απλοί θεατές. Οι υπερήρωες τους σώζουν από πολλές επικίνδυνες καταστάσεις, ποιες είναι, όμως, οι αντιδράσεις τους; Τους αγαπάνε, τους μισούν, τους ζηλεύουν;
Όπως είπα, το σενάριο είναι άκρως ιντριγκαδόρικο και καλογραμμένο, με την πλοκή να κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα, με την χορταστική δράση, την μπόλικη αγωνία και τους καλοσχηματισμένους χαρακτήρες. Όμως το σενάριο δεν θα ήταν τόσο καλό, αν δεν υποστηριζόταν από αυτό το τρομερό και εξαιρετικό σχέδιο. Τα λόγια είναι περιττά. Μιλάμε για μια τρομερή εικονογράφηση, με τα καρέ που μπορούν να κάνουν τον αναγνώστη να τα χαζεύει για κάμποση ώρα, να είναι πάρα πολλά. Αρκετές εικόνες είναι σαν πίνακες ζωγραφικής. Το vintage αισθητικής σχέδιο κατάφερε να με μεταφέρει πίσω στον χρόνο, σ'αυτό το παράλληλο σύμπαν.
Αυτά τα ολίγα. Είναι σίγουρα από τα καλύτερα και πιο χορταστικά κόμικς που έχω διαβάσει, ανεξαρτήτου είδους. Ιστορία, σχέδιο, χρώματα, μηνύματα, όλα άψογα. Και το ευτύχημα είναι ότι η ελληνική έκδοση είναι, πραγματικά, πολύ όμορφη και προσεγμένη, με καλή μετάφραση, ωραίο χαρτί, στιβαρό δέσιμο και με σκληρό εξώφυλλο. Και, πλέον, μπορεί να το βρει κανείς στα ελληνικά σε εξευτελιστική τιμή για την ποιότητα και την ψυχαγωγία που προσφέρει.
Η ιστορία είναι πραγματικά πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα και ιδιαίτερα καλογραμμένη. Μου άρεσε αυτή η διαφορετική ματιά απέναντι στους υπερήρωες, μιας και βλέπουμε τους ίδιους και τις μάχες μεταξύ τους αλλά και με εχθρούς, από την πλευρά των απλών ανθρώπων, των πολιτών της Νέας Υόρκης. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, αφηγητής και κύριο πρόσωπο της ιστορίας είναι ο Φιλ Σέλντον, ένας φωτορεπόρτερ. Βλέπουμε πως η ύπαρξη αλλά και η δράση των υπερηρώων επηρεάζει την ζωή των ανθρώπων, που δεν μπορούν να κάνουν και πολλά πράγματα απέναντι τους. Οι άνθρωποι είναι, πλέον, απλοί θεατές. Οι υπερήρωες τους σώζουν από πολλές επικίνδυνες καταστάσεις, ποιες είναι, όμως, οι αντιδράσεις τους; Τους αγαπάνε, τους μισούν, τους ζηλεύουν;
Όπως είπα, το σενάριο είναι άκρως ιντριγκαδόρικο και καλογραμμένο, με την πλοκή να κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα, με την χορταστική δράση, την μπόλικη αγωνία και τους καλοσχηματισμένους χαρακτήρες. Όμως το σενάριο δεν θα ήταν τόσο καλό, αν δεν υποστηριζόταν από αυτό το τρομερό και εξαιρετικό σχέδιο. Τα λόγια είναι περιττά. Μιλάμε για μια τρομερή εικονογράφηση, με τα καρέ που μπορούν να κάνουν τον αναγνώστη να τα χαζεύει για κάμποση ώρα, να είναι πάρα πολλά. Αρκετές εικόνες είναι σαν πίνακες ζωγραφικής. Το vintage αισθητικής σχέδιο κατάφερε να με μεταφέρει πίσω στον χρόνο, σ'αυτό το παράλληλο σύμπαν.
Αυτά τα ολίγα. Είναι σίγουρα από τα καλύτερα και πιο χορταστικά κόμικς που έχω διαβάσει, ανεξαρτήτου είδους. Ιστορία, σχέδιο, χρώματα, μηνύματα, όλα άψογα. Και το ευτύχημα είναι ότι η ελληνική έκδοση είναι, πραγματικά, πολύ όμορφη και προσεγμένη, με καλή μετάφραση, ωραίο χαρτί, στιβαρό δέσιμο και με σκληρό εξώφυλλο. Και, πλέον, μπορεί να το βρει κανείς στα ελληνικά σε εξευτελιστική τιμή για την ποιότητα και την ψυχαγωγία που προσφέρει.
September 18, 2021
What a brilliant storytelling and fantastic art! This was my first read of the origins of the Human Torch and I'm totally digging it.
"The golden age of miracles would begin, and in the years to come, the world would know the presence of the unnatural and extraordinary as part of reality""
"Marvels" is a book completely from the perspective of New Yorkers who had been mute spectators ever since Avengers and X-Men, whom they collectively call Marvels, were building and breaking stuffs. It documents the exploration into the motives of the fickle-minded public and reasons behind maligning the superheroes every now and then.
"They save us and they save us and we insult and belittle them. We're just blind to the truth about them."
Almost every series that runs sufficiently long has this one phase which is not always very well developed, for instance, the vol 5 of Ms Marvel - Super Famous. This series does an excellent job at building substantial background to a great many such events, New Yorkers' encounters with the Marvels and their always changing opinions of them...
"The Eel, he was just a man in a suit, dangerous, sure. But the torch would stop him, would protect us. Who would protect us from the mutants?"
... through the main protagonist, Phil, who is a freelance photographer who documents the reactions of the spectators during the strifes with the enemies of their universe.
The only downside of this book is that there are way too many events which don't provide sufficient room for background development of each event. It has covered almost everything from Torch vs Submariner fights to Stacy siblings's deaths. There is a lot of content which a non-regular reader can't keep up with. Still, it was a great entertaining read.
"The golden age of miracles would begin, and in the years to come, the world would know the presence of the unnatural and extraordinary as part of reality""
"Marvels" is a book completely from the perspective of New Yorkers who had been mute spectators ever since Avengers and X-Men, whom they collectively call Marvels, were building and breaking stuffs. It documents the exploration into the motives of the fickle-minded public and reasons behind maligning the superheroes every now and then.
"They save us and they save us and we insult and belittle them. We're just blind to the truth about them."
Almost every series that runs sufficiently long has this one phase which is not always very well developed, for instance, the vol 5 of Ms Marvel - Super Famous. This series does an excellent job at building substantial background to a great many such events, New Yorkers' encounters with the Marvels and their always changing opinions of them...
"The Eel, he was just a man in a suit, dangerous, sure. But the torch would stop him, would protect us. Who would protect us from the mutants?"
... through the main protagonist, Phil, who is a freelance photographer who documents the reactions of the spectators during the strifes with the enemies of their universe.
The only downside of this book is that there are way too many events which don't provide sufficient room for background development of each event. It has covered almost everything from Torch vs Submariner fights to Stacy siblings's deaths. There is a lot of content which a non-regular reader can't keep up with. Still, it was a great entertaining read.
March 15, 2018
Διάβασε όλο το review εδώ
Το θέμα με το οποίο καταπιάνεται το Marvels είναι ο φόβος προς το άγνωστο, το νέο και το ξένο. Σε τέσσερα τεύχη, το δίδυμο αναλύει την συμπεριφορά των ανθρώπων προς οτιδήποτε διαφορετικό και καταλήγει στο ότι, τελικά, οι άνθρωποι δεν ξέρουν τι θέλουν και τι πιστεύουν. Οι υπερήρωες για αυτούς είναι απλά σωτήρες χρήσιμοι μόνο σε ώρα ανάγκης, ενώ τον υπόλοιπο καιρό δεν είναι τίποτα περισσότερο από υλικό για εφήμερο κουτσομπολιό, εγκληματίες και επικίνδυνοι για τον κόσμο, με τα Μ.Μ.Ε. να επιδεινώνουν την κατάσταση για τα δικά τους συμφέροντα. Η συμπεριφορά αυτή φτάνει στο ζενίθ της στο τελευταίο τεύχος, στο οποίο οι πολίτες είναι τόσο σίγουροι -και πεπεισμένοι από τα μέσα- για το ότι ο Spider-Man είναι εγκληματίας που αρχίζουν τις ψευδείς καταθέσεις εναντίον του.
Το θέμα με το οποίο καταπιάνεται το Marvels είναι ο φόβος προς το άγνωστο, το νέο και το ξένο. Σε τέσσερα τεύχη, το δίδυμο αναλύει την συμπεριφορά των ανθρώπων προς οτιδήποτε διαφορετικό και καταλήγει στο ότι, τελικά, οι άνθρωποι δεν ξέρουν τι θέλουν και τι πιστεύουν. Οι υπερήρωες για αυτούς είναι απλά σωτήρες χρήσιμοι μόνο σε ώρα ανάγκης, ενώ τον υπόλοιπο καιρό δεν είναι τίποτα περισσότερο από υλικό για εφήμερο κουτσομπολιό, εγκληματίες και επικίνδυνοι για τον κόσμο, με τα Μ.Μ.Ε. να επιδεινώνουν την κατάσταση για τα δικά τους συμφέροντα. Η συμπεριφορά αυτή φτάνει στο ζενίθ της στο τελευταίο τεύχος, στο οποίο οι πολίτες είναι τόσο σίγουροι -και πεπεισμένοι από τα μέσα- για το ότι ο Spider-Man είναι εγκληματίας που αρχίζουν τις ψευδείς καταθέσεις εναντίον του.
January 17, 2023
I really liked this comic seeing the different aspects of marvel history through the eyes of a normal person.
October 18, 2023
Happy New Year! 2020 proved to be a trash year, so I am hoping that this new year will be as marvelous as this graphic novel is!
After enjoying two podcasts about Wolverine last year, I heard Marvel had put one out about The Fantastic Four without realizing it was based partly on this graphic novel. I enjoyed the Marvels podcast and picked up this source material to accompany it. I was in a bit of a reading slump at the time, so after skimming it and seeing it was worth a deeper read, I put it aside to read after the holidays.
This amazing story gives the perspective of everyday people living in a world populated with superheroes, villains and mutants. We see the world through their eyes as they try to make sense of the incredible things happening around them. Begining in 1939, we first meet Phil Sheldon a young photojournalist and his friend Jonah Jameson who are amazed when superheroes begin to appear in New York City. The populace is at first scared and then in awe of these costumed avengers and soon admire them as they help fight for American freedom in World War II. But as the decades go by, in a 35-year span, perception of them waxes and wanes. The Fantastic Four are beloved for awhile but later pilloried. Later, the poor mutants get the brunt of the public’s hate.
Divided into four chapters, the narrative moves forward chronologically with Sheldon marrying and having two daughters as he follows and photographs the heroes, that he calls the Marvels, both for his career and for a book he is planning about them. He is an everyman, who at times succumbs to mob mentality but as the years go by he thinks critically about what having heroes in his world means, despite losing an eye when he gets too close to a fight between Namor and the Torch. There is a poignant scene set in the 60s where Sheldon recounts seeing a mob react during a Sentinals attack, and a riot breaks out. Sheldon comments: “The real story was the people who’d been scared too long…who’d been wound too tight and cut loose”. This has uncomfortable parallels to today, 25+ years after this graphic novel came out, as a certain populace seems to be glorying in a changed America and violence is a daily worry during this contested election.
Alex Ross’s work is a marvel! He did for the Marvel universe what he would do again later in DC’s Kingdom Come– he made all the heroes fleshed out and real. His trademark painted photo-realism style is exquisite, as each panel is a work of art. The research he did was evident, showing the heroes in their original costumes from the Golden and Silver eras of comics. He also is great at recreating period pieces, as the narrative takes place from 1939-1974 and he gets the clothing styles and the inevitable aging of the characters spot-on.
To further strengthen this unique story, author Kurt Busiek shares his thoughts about creating this tale. He plumbs the Marvel comic universe for a timeline on how the heroes developed, and how they are worked into the story. Thus, the book becomes an encyclopedia of sorts as heroes and villains move in and out of the narrative in cameos as Sheldon, his family and regular people are the true main characters in this story. In addition, Marvel great Stan Lee adds an introduction and other artists share their insights during chapter breaks. The story is then bookended with comic sources for all the hero references and Ross shares his artistic process. While the podcast based on this graphic novel was interesting, it centered on the second and third chapters only, and this entire book fleshes out the story more thoroughly. This certainly proved to be a marvelous graphic novel!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2021/01/0...
After enjoying two podcasts about Wolverine last year, I heard Marvel had put one out about The Fantastic Four without realizing it was based partly on this graphic novel. I enjoyed the Marvels podcast and picked up this source material to accompany it. I was in a bit of a reading slump at the time, so after skimming it and seeing it was worth a deeper read, I put it aside to read after the holidays.
This amazing story gives the perspective of everyday people living in a world populated with superheroes, villains and mutants. We see the world through their eyes as they try to make sense of the incredible things happening around them. Begining in 1939, we first meet Phil Sheldon a young photojournalist and his friend Jonah Jameson who are amazed when superheroes begin to appear in New York City. The populace is at first scared and then in awe of these costumed avengers and soon admire them as they help fight for American freedom in World War II. But as the decades go by, in a 35-year span, perception of them waxes and wanes. The Fantastic Four are beloved for awhile but later pilloried. Later, the poor mutants get the brunt of the public’s hate.
Divided into four chapters, the narrative moves forward chronologically with Sheldon marrying and having two daughters as he follows and photographs the heroes, that he calls the Marvels, both for his career and for a book he is planning about them. He is an everyman, who at times succumbs to mob mentality but as the years go by he thinks critically about what having heroes in his world means, despite losing an eye when he gets too close to a fight between Namor and the Torch. There is a poignant scene set in the 60s where Sheldon recounts seeing a mob react during a Sentinals attack, and a riot breaks out. Sheldon comments: “The real story was the people who’d been scared too long…who’d been wound too tight and cut loose”. This has uncomfortable parallels to today, 25+ years after this graphic novel came out, as a certain populace seems to be glorying in a changed America and violence is a daily worry during this contested election.
Alex Ross’s work is a marvel! He did for the Marvel universe what he would do again later in DC’s Kingdom Come– he made all the heroes fleshed out and real. His trademark painted photo-realism style is exquisite, as each panel is a work of art. The research he did was evident, showing the heroes in their original costumes from the Golden and Silver eras of comics. He also is great at recreating period pieces, as the narrative takes place from 1939-1974 and he gets the clothing styles and the inevitable aging of the characters spot-on.
To further strengthen this unique story, author Kurt Busiek shares his thoughts about creating this tale. He plumbs the Marvel comic universe for a timeline on how the heroes developed, and how they are worked into the story. Thus, the book becomes an encyclopedia of sorts as heroes and villains move in and out of the narrative in cameos as Sheldon, his family and regular people are the true main characters in this story. In addition, Marvel great Stan Lee adds an introduction and other artists share their insights during chapter breaks. The story is then bookended with comic sources for all the hero references and Ross shares his artistic process. While the podcast based on this graphic novel was interesting, it centered on the second and third chapters only, and this entire book fleshes out the story more thoroughly. This certainly proved to be a marvelous graphic novel!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2021/01/0...
June 30, 2014
I'm torn on this one...I really wanted to love it. I do admire all the research that went into this one, the referencing of classic Marvel stories and moments, the art, but...
At the end of the book, I was left with a pretty 'oh that's all?' feeling. The art of Alex Ross is always something to behold, but here, I think it took away from things. I wasn't able to connect to a lot, and the main character is actually kind of un-likable. He ditches his fiancée because of the arrival of Sub-Mariner and Torch, only to ask her back after Captain America makes the 'Marvels' seem good. Then he hates Mutants, until his daughters shelter one in their basement, then he decides that maybe they're not so bad. He avoids his family, and even resents them for making him miss a story when they're out at the zoo together and something happens. I mean, do you really want to connect with a guy who's willing to walk away from his family (3 women no less) in the middle of a crisis because 'there's a story and photos to get'?? No, not so much.
Here's the problem: He's enough of a boring character who flip-flops on his beliefs and then just gives up, so that you don't really enjoy the rest of the story.
I can enjoy the crafting, the research and so forth, but the protagonist really takes away from what could have been a much better story. I mean no doubt, Stan Lee and John Romita liked it, but still.
It's a curio, something you show people to look at something shiny, but there's not much substance; there's hardly even an interaction with any heroes, nor is there much insight into their lives.
If Marvels was supposed to make us marvel, it does; at how utterly boring all the humans are, so no wonder they buy books and pictures about the Marvel-ous heroes and observe them as a respite from boredom and tedium.
Disappointing. probably 2.5 stars really, because at some points it just seems like an excuse to let Alex Ross draw/paint every hero they can think of.
At the end of the book, I was left with a pretty 'oh that's all?' feeling. The art of Alex Ross is always something to behold, but here, I think it took away from things. I wasn't able to connect to a lot, and the main character is actually kind of un-likable. He ditches his fiancée because of the arrival of Sub-Mariner and Torch, only to ask her back after Captain America makes the 'Marvels' seem good. Then he hates Mutants, until his daughters shelter one in their basement, then he decides that maybe they're not so bad. He avoids his family, and even resents them for making him miss a story when they're out at the zoo together and something happens. I mean, do you really want to connect with a guy who's willing to walk away from his family (3 women no less) in the middle of a crisis because 'there's a story and photos to get'?? No, not so much.
Here's the problem: He's enough of a boring character who flip-flops on his beliefs and then just gives up, so that you don't really enjoy the rest of the story.
I can enjoy the crafting, the research and so forth, but the protagonist really takes away from what could have been a much better story. I mean no doubt, Stan Lee and John Romita liked it, but still.
It's a curio, something you show people to look at something shiny, but there's not much substance; there's hardly even an interaction with any heroes, nor is there much insight into their lives.
If Marvels was supposed to make us marvel, it does; at how utterly boring all the humans are, so no wonder they buy books and pictures about the Marvel-ous heroes and observe them as a respite from boredom and tedium.
Disappointing. probably 2.5 stars really, because at some points it just seems like an excuse to let Alex Ross draw/paint every hero they can think of.
August 21, 2015
A good read! So we have witnessed the birth of The Marvel Cinematic universe, from iron man 1 to Ant-man and still more to come, but what if these weren't movies, what if they were real, what if we really had super heroes protecting us? That what this book is, the birth of the marvel universe from the perspective of ordinary citizens! The concept was pretty interesting, as it realistically looks at how the world would react to heroes, in the 40s and 50s, they would be seen as icons, but soon after they would seen as villains, and then heroes again! The book also has ordinary people witness famous Marvel stories as they happen, such as The Avengers, Galactus, The Death of Gwen Stacy, all in all its a good story! Alex Ross's artwork is also very good, although its not his best. But overall this a great read!
January 4, 2022
Superheroes are everywhere. They dominate pop-culture. They feed hungry nerds like myself.
Now, imagine if they were real. If you lived in the Marvel universe, not as another hero or villain, but as an ordinary citizen.
It would be terrifying, not knowing when the next building might collapse, where the next spaceship might alight.
It would be glorious, if you got to witness a brawl between god-like beings with your own two eyes.
It would be something like reading Marvels.
Plunges you right into its diaphanous painted world. I cannot imagine how much a series such as, say, the Sandman would have been elevated had Alex Ross been doing the illustrations. In fact, can he do all illustrations for every graphic novel ever? Because goddamn!
Now, imagine if they were real. If you lived in the Marvel universe, not as another hero or villain, but as an ordinary citizen.
It would be terrifying, not knowing when the next building might collapse, where the next spaceship might alight.
It would be glorious, if you got to witness a brawl between god-like beings with your own two eyes.
It would be something like reading Marvels.
Plunges you right into its diaphanous painted world. I cannot imagine how much a series such as, say, the Sandman would have been elevated had Alex Ross been doing the illustrations. In fact, can he do all illustrations for every graphic novel ever? Because goddamn!
November 16, 2021
Едва ли бих могъл да уловя и една стотна от всички препратки на сценариста Кърт Бюсик към малките и големи събития в принципно необятната Marvel Вселена, засегнати на страниците на четирите броя, но май не е и необходимо... Този албум е истинско произведение на изкуството, а главен виновник е художникът Алекс Рос.
Когато прочетох как се е готвил за отделните панели - правил е снимки на човешки модели и кукли, ползвал е прожектори от различни ъгли, за да схване динамиката на светлосенките и съответно да постигне повече реализъм в живописния си арт, просто онемях. Защото резултатът е наистина у-ни-ка-лен! Може би най-качественото (и амбициозно) изпълнение дотук.
Когато прочетох как се е готвил за отделните панели - правил е снимки на човешки модели и кукли, ползвал е прожектори от различни ъгли, за да схване динамиката на светлосенките и съответно да постигне повече реализъм в живописния си арт, просто онемях. Защото резултатът е наистина у-ни-ка-лен! Може би най-качественото (и амбициозно) изпълнение дотук.
February 2, 2021
Здається, я знайшов найпиздатіший комікс Marvel. Це «Дива» авторства Курта Б'юсіка, намальований Алексом Россом, який нещодавно був випущений Видавництво Molfar Comics.
Автор вирішив поглянути на супергероїку з точки зору простої людини. Настільки просте рішення, але вистрелило воно, чомусь, лише тут. За головного персонажа взяли фотографа, який працює фрілансером на різні газети і стає свідком появи перших супергероїв, а потім і збільшення їх кількості. Ця лімітована серія має чотири частини і у кожній частині розкрито різні часові проміжки та показано різні теми та події, які відбувалися у всесвіті Марвел. Але нам не будуть показувати те, як хтось переміг, чи яка в кого була мотивація (якщо говорити про супергероїв). Ми, як звичайні люди, будемо свідками лише якихось окремих кадрів, та інформацію про події отримуватимемо лише зі ЗМІ, які відіграють серйозну роль у цих історіях. І це охуєнно. Коли ти не бачиш загальної картини, то загрози суперлиходійського характеру, з якими стикаються люди, відчуваються набагато гостріше, а після їх зникнення ніхто точно не розуміє що ж відбулося та кому завдячувати. Це створює охуєнно великий простір для фантазії та цілком пояснює, чому ж люди ставляться до супергероїв неоднозначно. Окремо дикий ахуй викликають моменти, коли позитивні супергерої пиздяться між собою, а простий люд не знає, що за хуйня твориться. От ця тема розкрита, як на мене, дуже круто. Єдине, з чим я можу порівняти цей шедевр – це «Вартові» Алана Мура та Дейва Ґіббонса. Хоча воно деконструює жанр трохи інакше та не досягає висот останнього, але «Дива» наблизилися максимально близько.
На додачу до охуєнно розказаного сюжету ми маємо один з кращих малюнків, які я зустрічав у коміксах. Стилістика артпостерів початку 20 століття з одного боку зробила цей мальопис охуєнно реалістичним, а з іншого боку сильно додала атмосфери та шарму. Хоча місцями мені хотілося трохи більше кольорів (художник ніби свідомо відмовився використовувати зелений), але цей маленький недолік зовсім не змінює того факту, що кожен фрейм тут — якщо не шедевр мистецтва, то, як мінімум, яскравий його представник.
Окремо хочу похвалити українське видання. Міцна обкладинка та охуєнна купа додаткових матеріалів роблять цей мальопис одним з найцікавіших, які можна придбати наразі українською. Рекомендую всім. Окрім усього, це чудовий представник для знайомства з жанром, на мою думку.
Сюжет: 8/10
Малюнок: 10/10
Оцінка: 9/10
Автор вирішив поглянути на супергероїку з точки зору простої людини. Настільки просте рішення, але вистрелило воно, чомусь, лише тут. За головного персонажа взяли фотографа, який працює фрілансером на різні газети і стає свідком появи перших супергероїв, а потім і збільшення їх кількості. Ця лімітована серія має чотири частини і у кожній частині розкрито різні часові проміжки та показано різні теми та події, які відбувалися у всесвіті Марвел. Але нам не будуть показувати те, як хтось переміг, чи яка в кого була мотивація (якщо говорити про супергероїв). Ми, як звичайні люди, будемо свідками лише якихось окремих кадрів, та інформацію про події отримуватимемо лише зі ЗМІ, які відіграють серйозну роль у цих історіях. І це охуєнно. Коли ти не бачиш загальної картини, то загрози суперлиходійського характеру, з якими стикаються люди, відчуваються набагато гостріше, а після їх зникнення ніхто точно не розуміє що ж відбулося та кому завдячувати. Це створює охуєнно великий простір для фантазії та цілком пояснює, чому ж люди ставляться до супергероїв неоднозначно. Окремо дикий ахуй викликають моменти, коли позитивні супергерої пиздяться між собою, а простий люд не знає, що за хуйня твориться. От ця тема розкрита, як на мене, дуже круто. Єдине, з чим я можу порівняти цей шедевр – це «Вартові» Алана Мура та Дейва Ґіббонса. Хоча воно деконструює жанр трохи інакше та не досягає висот останнього, але «Дива» наблизилися максимально близько.
На додачу до охуєнно розказаного сюжету ми маємо один з кращих малюнків, які я зустрічав у коміксах. Стилістика артпостерів початку 20 століття з одного боку зробила цей мальопис охуєнно реалістичним, а з іншого боку сильно додала атмосфери та шарму. Хоча місцями мені хотілося трохи більше кольорів (художник ніби свідомо відмовився використовувати зелений), але цей маленький недолік зовсім не змінює того факту, що кожен фрейм тут — якщо не шедевр мистецтва, то, як мінімум, яскравий його представник.
Окремо хочу похвалити українське видання. Міцна обкладинка та охуєнна купа додаткових матеріалів роблять цей мальопис одним з найцікавіших, які можна придбати наразі українською. Рекомендую всім. Окрім усього, це чудовий представник для знайомства з жанром, на мою думку.
Сюжет: 8/10
Малюнок: 10/10
Оцінка: 9/10
November 7, 2015
Ever since Alan Moore’s 1982 dark, post-modern deconstructionist series of Miracleman – formerly known as Marvelman – he introduced the concept of how superheroes could exist and behave in “the real world”. However, being Alan Moore, his approach to superheroes has mostly been dark and cynical, though brilliant nonetheless. In the case of the four-issue comic Marvels from Astro City writer Kurt Busiek and legendary painter Alex Ross, this is an optimistic view of how our world interacts with our favourite Marvel characters.
Set from 1939 to 1974, the series examines the life and career of news photographer Phil Sheldon living and witnessing ordinary life in a world full of costumed supermen.
Using the first thirty-five years of Marvel Comics’ history as well as retelling some of the most famous events from that period, the story is told through the perspective of an Everyman character that provides a unique voice to the way humanity can look at the “Marvels”. Busiek’s writing does a smart job at contrasting the existence of the Marvels with real-life politics, as best established in the second issue that introduces the X-Men and the mutant race in the mid-sixties, which leads to riots and manhunts based on racism and paranoia.
As great an artist Alex Ross has always been, you can only hire him for certain projects and in the case of books like Marvels and later Kingdom Come, he shows how brilliant he is with his realistic, human depictions of classic comic book characters. If you are a hardcore Marvel fanatic, you will get a good kick out of Ross’ stunning recreations of classic Marvel moments.
At the core of Marvels, is a truly moving human story with Phil Sheldon witnessing the extraordinary and yet it is the intimacy he experiences with his own kind where he learns the true beauty of the Marvels, whether it is his beloved family protecting a hunted mutant girl or the few conversations he has with Gwen Stacy before her terrible demise. If you want a story that is both heroic and human, go and read Marvels, you won’t be disappointed.
Set from 1939 to 1974, the series examines the life and career of news photographer Phil Sheldon living and witnessing ordinary life in a world full of costumed supermen.
Using the first thirty-five years of Marvel Comics’ history as well as retelling some of the most famous events from that period, the story is told through the perspective of an Everyman character that provides a unique voice to the way humanity can look at the “Marvels”. Busiek’s writing does a smart job at contrasting the existence of the Marvels with real-life politics, as best established in the second issue that introduces the X-Men and the mutant race in the mid-sixties, which leads to riots and manhunts based on racism and paranoia.
As great an artist Alex Ross has always been, you can only hire him for certain projects and in the case of books like Marvels and later Kingdom Come, he shows how brilliant he is with his realistic, human depictions of classic comic book characters. If you are a hardcore Marvel fanatic, you will get a good kick out of Ross’ stunning recreations of classic Marvel moments.
At the core of Marvels, is a truly moving human story with Phil Sheldon witnessing the extraordinary and yet it is the intimacy he experiences with his own kind where he learns the true beauty of the Marvels, whether it is his beloved family protecting a hunted mutant girl or the few conversations he has with Gwen Stacy before her terrible demise. If you want a story that is both heroic and human, go and read Marvels, you won’t be disappointed.
January 1, 2023
"Marvels" written by Kurt Busiek and brilliantly illustrated by Alex Ross was an incredibly unique and refreshing take on the mainstream superhero genre. Not since reading "Watchmen" by Alan Moore have I been so immersed in such a fascinating and compelling story.
Starting in 1939 and told from the point of view of photographer Phil Sheldon, "Marvels" chronicles the advent of the age of superheroes. Virtually the entire catalogue of Marvel heroes and villains make appearances; again brilliantly illustrated by Alex Ross. He is bar none my favorite comic book artist because of the realism of his style. (Side note: I would highly recommend "Mythology" and "Marvelocity" if you love his ultra-realistic artwork as much as I do. His Superman in particular, is truly epic).
Aside from the art, what I enjoyed most was that this entire story unfolds from the POV of Phil Sheldon, a regular joe caught up in the mass hysteria unfolding around him.
For longtime fans of Marvel comics, there are so many call backs to quintessential moments in Marvel history. Such as Captain America fighting the Nazi's in WWII, the wedding of Reed Richards & Susan Storm, the coming of Galactus, the hatred and vitriol against mutants and the death of Gwen Stacy; just to name a few. I do appreciate the subtle ones too, such as Phil's daughters role-playing a fight between The Hulk and The Thing.
This is a must read for any fan of Marvel, DC or just the genre in general. Well done to Mr. Busiek and as always, amazing work by Mr. Ross. Kudos to them both!
5-Stars! Virtually perfect.
Starting in 1939 and told from the point of view of photographer Phil Sheldon, "Marvels" chronicles the advent of the age of superheroes. Virtually the entire catalogue of Marvel heroes and villains make appearances; again brilliantly illustrated by Alex Ross. He is bar none my favorite comic book artist because of the realism of his style. (Side note: I would highly recommend "Mythology" and "Marvelocity" if you love his ultra-realistic artwork as much as I do. His Superman in particular, is truly epic).
Aside from the art, what I enjoyed most was that this entire story unfolds from the POV of Phil Sheldon, a regular joe caught up in the mass hysteria unfolding around him.
For longtime fans of Marvel comics, there are so many call backs to quintessential moments in Marvel history. Such as Captain America fighting the Nazi's in WWII, the wedding of Reed Richards & Susan Storm, the coming of Galactus, the hatred and vitriol against mutants and the death of Gwen Stacy; just to name a few. I do appreciate the subtle ones too, such as Phil's daughters role-playing a fight between The Hulk and The Thing.
This is a must read for any fan of Marvel, DC or just the genre in general. Well done to Mr. Busiek and as always, amazing work by Mr. Ross. Kudos to them both!
5-Stars! Virtually perfect.
August 21, 2011
I love, love, love the combination of Busiek and Ross. I had never bothered with this book before because I'm not usually a Marvel girl, and because I thought that it sounded like it covered the same territory as the excellent Astro City Vol. 1: Life in the Big City, just with known characters. Wrong. It looks at the Marvel characters and the Marvel universe through the lens of one photographer/observer, whose opinions change very realistically over time. The other clever conceit is that it looks back at a slightly revised history while referencing adventures - and sometimes exact frames, I think - from the classic titles. There's a list of all of the stories it borrows from at the end, along with a little photo essay by Ross that would probably in itself be worth the price of the comic. Forget that shyster Thomas Kinkade; Alex Ross is the real painter of light. The combination of Ross's art with Busiek's intelligent takes on superheroes is always a potent combination.
January 21, 2016
A very different view of the world of supers. Marvel takes the common man's view of what the world looks like and how it changes with the arrival of superheroes. Great storyline and exceptional art. Very recommended
September 6, 2018
Wauw, probably the best take on the Marvel heroes I've read so far ... from a completely different perspective, that's what makes it special .. and then the characterbuilding, that's what makes it amazing .. And then to top it off with such an amazing artwork .. Well, I must say: this was a stunning piece of artwork !
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