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Marvels
Jun 2, 2006 20:48:12 GMT -8
Post by RedKing on Jun 2, 2006 20:48:12 GMT -8
I just got this graphic novel (originally a 4 issue miniseries) written by Kurt Busiek and painted by Alex Ross from 1994. This came out before Ross' career-making KINGDOM COME for DC, but this is nearly as good. The story arc covers 1939 to the early /mid 70s(the death of Gwen Stacy-I don't recall the year that was off the top of my head)and tells the history of the Marvel Universe as seen through the eyes of a photojournalist everyman character starting when he's in his late teens(and working with a young J Jonah Jameson) and the original Human Torch, Namor and Cap first appeared, continuing into the early 60s with the heroes flourishing in NYC alongside the growing tension of the "mutant problem", the near end of the world when Galactus first appeared, and finally when Gwen Stacy was killed during Spider-man's battle with the Green Goblin. The story is told from the man in the street perspective that you didn't get in the comics, where it's concentrated on the heroes themselves, this story is more about our reactions to them and the situations the both prevent and cause. Nearly every major Marvel character shows up for at least a cameo, even if it's in photos, and the story was constructed using the actual time line of all of Marvel's comics as they were published , showing the Marvel Universe as a whole rather than just Spider-Man or the Avengers in their own books. Needless to say, even though it's at the very beginning of his career, Ross' art is absolutely dazzling! His uncanny ability to make the 4 color line drawings of comics into fully rendered paintings that you look at and believe could be really happening is amazing, and is perfectly suited to this story. It's really great stuff, and much better than i can describe, and seems to be overshadowed by Ross' other epic, KINGDOM COME, which is also great and is honestly better than MARVELS, but MARVELS still deserves it's chance in the spotlight.
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Marvels
Jun 3, 2006 19:20:34 GMT -8
Post by Xenorama ™ on Jun 3, 2006 19:20:34 GMT -8
i agree 100%. what a great story, and it's just lovely to look at. this is the series that introduced me to both Kurt and Alex, what a great way to do it! the best part is they don't try to make it "real"- either more real looking or come up with stupid psuedo science to cover up the more fanciful stuff that was already there.
just wonderful.
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Marvels
Nov 14, 2007 6:23:06 GMT -8
Post by RoadWarriorYajuta on Nov 14, 2007 6:23:06 GMT -8
This sounds like something that would certainly interest me. I know many folks don't like him, but I love Alex Ross' art.
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Marvels
Nov 14, 2007 15:07:45 GMT -8
Post by Xenorama ™ on Nov 14, 2007 15:07:45 GMT -8
i think you'd really like it Chad. i like how Ross paints the costumes like they are actually clothes, with folds and such, instead of the "painted on spandex" so many artists do these days. i mean, do you really see abs through a shirt? come on.
the story is great, too! back when Marvel's timeline wasn't so complicated.
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Marvels
May 10, 2008 19:28:09 GMT -8
Post by RoadWarriorYajuta on May 10, 2008 19:28:09 GMT -8
I still want to check this one out.
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tyranitar42
Jungle Patrol
In one of its' mighty claws, the Earth rumbles and mountains crumble
Posts: 35
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Marvels
Jul 22, 2008 14:37:26 GMT -8
Post by tyranitar42 on Jul 22, 2008 14:37:26 GMT -8
This IMO is the BEST thing Marvel's put out in the past 20 years or so. Also, this is before alex ross become a superstar to Fanboys everywhere, and thought he could write comics as well as paint (Gee, sounds like Image comics!) I still have all the original issues in my collection, and read them occaisionally. Great, book.
Alot better than civil war (kill Steve Rogers?? What were they thinking???) and way better than this secret invasion crap that's supposed to be this summers big hit.
BTW:did you guys see those paintings of Ultraman that Alex Ross Did for Tsuburaya?? Not enough adjectives to describe the utter coolness of them.
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