Marvel 1602 - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
All's not well in the Marvel Universe in the year 1602 as strange storms are brewing and strange new powers are emerging! Spider-Man, the X-Men, Nick Fury, Dr. Strange, Daredevil, Dr. Doom, Black Widow, Captain America, and more appear in the waning days of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. As the world begins to change and enter into a new age, Gaiman weaves a thrilling mystery. How and why are these Marvel stars appearing nearly 400 years before they're supposed to? Collects Marvel 1602 #1-8.

Customer Reviews: Read 62 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

An Entertaining Reimagining January 29, 2005
86 out of 87 found this review helpful

First, let me say that Neil Gaiman is easily one of the best writers working today in any prose-based medium. His novels are incredible, his screenplays similar, and his comics are outstanding. There is no current writer today who straddles the fence between reality and fantasy better than Neil Gaiman. And the fact that he works in so many different mediums adds to his "remarkable-ness."

That caveat aside, let's talk about his Marvel miniseries, 1602.

Gaiman does a wonderful job of translating the heroes of the Marvel Universe to an historic setting. And he makes the necessary adjustments: Matt Murdock doesn't become a blind barrister, but rather a blind minstrel/guide, which allows Daredevil the freedom of movement a hero needs in Gaiman's reimagined 1602. Similar adjustments are made for a wide range of Marvel characters.

The story is affecting, and wonderfully rendered in muted tones by the art team, and Gaiman deserves credit for finding room for a lot of the Marvel Universe, and also for not trying to shoehorn every modern hero into the framework of the story.

The story is intellectual and exciting (conspiracy stuff), and the artwork is among the best I've seen in a graphic novel.

The reason for subtracting a star? Simply because, although Gaiman structured his story and introduced his characters so a first-timer can enjoy the story, it's best appreciated through the prism that only a Marvel Universe reader has handy.

But more than worth your time, regardless.

5 out of 5 stars

A pleasant surprise from Gaiman November 14, 2004
50 out of 52 found this review helpful

As stated in other reviews I've posted on Amazon, I am a big fan of Marvel's WHAT IF concept, as well as other alternate reality stories, provided that events are presented in a logical fashion. More often than not, however, they aren't, leaving the reader to deal with too many assumptions and unanswered questions. When 1602 was first announced by Marvel, I was under the impression that Neil Gaiman was simply going to take the easy way out: "re-imagining" the heroes and villains of the Silver Age Marvel Universe as existing in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. After reading the recently-released hardcover collection, however, I can say that this is definitely not a re-imagining, nor even a "what if" story, but more of a very original mystery with an excellent twist that makes sense. Surprisingly, 1602 can comfortably exist within normal Marvel continuity. As a result, I enjoyed it immensely.

In order to not spoil the plot, I'll be as basic as possible: the Marvel Universe has arisen 360 years early, triggering the possible destruction of the universe. Of course, it's up to the heroes, and a few villains, to try to set things right. You'll see many familiar faces here, especially if you're moderately familiar with Marvel's Silver Age characters. Even if not, it's not too difficult to determine who is who. Gaiman writes a very tight story that moves quickly, and Adam Kubert's art is exceptional, especially when paired with the skilled coloring of Richard Isanove. Scott McKowen provides beautiful woodcut covers for the series and the collection. All contributors to this story complement each other quite well, making 1602 an essential part of any comic library.

5 out of 5 stars

A masterpiece December 25, 2004
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

The tale that famed Sandman creator Neil Gaiman weaves in this eight issue mini-series is something truly magical. Instead of taking the easy way out, such as a previous reviewer stated by implanting the silver age icons in the year 1602 or doing a "What If...?" type story, Gaiman envisions a past world in which the Marvel universe is taking shape almost 400 years too early. Queen Elizabeth's court magician Doctor Stephen Strange senses something that should not be is going on, while her top spy Sir Nicholas Fury fends off an assassination attempt by the winged warriors who are in the service of Otto Von Doom. There are also a band of young people with mysterious and dangerous abilities and powers called "Witchbreed" and are led by the enigmatic Carlos Javier. Just about every character from Marvel's silver age is here, including Peter Parquah who has a fondness for spiders, blind Irishman Matthew Murdoch who has daring abilities of his own, a group called the Fantastick who share strange powers and are prisoners of Doom, a mysterious red-headed widower named Natasha who has plans of her own, and an old man named Donal who carries a stick which transforms him into the Norse God of thunder and lightning. The story comes alive like a fairy tale, and Gaiman's dynamite twist will leave you breathless. The art by the Origin team of penciler Andy Kubert and digital painter Richard Isanove makes this period piece come alive, with amazing art throughout (even though Beast looks a little too much like Wolverine here). Marvel 1602 is undoubtadly one of the best and most creative mini's to come out of the house of ideas in a very long time, and if you missed out on it, this handsome hardcover collection is an absolute must own in every comic fan's library.

5 out of 5 stars

No better graphic novel for fans of Marvel and History October 7, 2004
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

By placing some of the best loved Marvel heroes into a historic setting, Gaiman has crafted not only a work of art but also a wonderful playground for some familiar faces to play within.

I'll admit, as a Neil Gaiman fan and as a Marvel fan, I was predestined to like this work. If you are either of these things, this is a no-brainer purchase. But even if you are a casual comic fan or simply a fan of good stories, this will be an excellent read and well worth the cover price.

It would be difficult to review specifics without ruining something. Suffice to say, some of the best moments come from what would be considered normal events in the Marvel universe and how they are interpreted for the 17th century. I should also mention the artwork is incredible and on par with current comic masterpieces. If all you know is the art that appeared in comics in the eighties, you will relish in this advancement.

5 out of 5 stars

A Swan Dive Into Grim History: Gaiman's MARVEL 1602 October 18, 2004
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

If you've never read anything by Neil Gaiman, none of
the chapters of THE SANDMAN, not one page of STARDUST,
here is a place to richly whet your appetite. If you've
not encountered the splendor and depth of AMERICAN GODS,
nor the crystal clarity shock of MURDER MYSTERIES, nor
any of his various works for television or children's
tale, then consider yourself invited to begin your
experiencing of a great writer here.

MARVEL 1602 is Gaiman's landmark first work for Marvel
Comics, now collected as a striking hardcover edition
for all to encounter and enjoy the author's great
take on Marvel mythology sifted through the lens of
one of the most dire transitional periods in Western
History. 1602 focuses upon the British embracing of
the dreaded Spanish Inquisition, and all the hateful,
bigoted practices that it murderously upheld as
holy.
How does Gaiman place the Marvel pantheon within
this time period? That would be telling. Yet it is
how he meticulously uses them to further emphasize
the issues of that day, as well as that day's
chilling parallels to the questions of tolerance
so vital to our own time, which distinguishes what
a consummate storyteller this man is. Full of
pertinence, charged with characterization, loaded
with action, MARVEL 1602 is an outstanding literary
adventure, and a standout achievement.
Those Gaiman acolytes awaiting "another Sandman" not
only waste their time, but miss the mark altogether.
THE SANDMAN is a story about the nature of stories.
MARVEL 1602 is about the inspiration that talespinners
can evoke. In this, Gaiman (with striking illustrations
from Andy Kubert, stunning digital painting by Richard
Isanove, and wondrous engraving-like cover art from
Scott McKowen) evokes staggering time paradoxes as
worthy of DC's Julius Schwartz as they are a hearty
hat tip to the eye-popping wonder and interweaving
plotlines of Marvel's Lee, Kirby, Thomas, and
Ditko.
If anything, too, Gaiman's stress on topical concerns
here strongly riffs upon the Marvel epics of Englehart
and Starlin, Gerber and McGregor some 25 to 30 years
ago, when the company produced its finest, most
consistently challenging work.

So how in the world does a Spider-Man or a Doctor Doom
fit into the Middle Ages, anyway? Would a Nick Fury
even fit? Why would there be a need for a Captain
America?
Read one of the sweetest jigsaw puzzles you will ever
encounter, and find out for yourself.

Neil Gaiman. MARVEL 1602.
Well worth the effort.

Well worth your time.

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