Marvels (Paperback)

The concept in itself is wonderful; a self contained history of the Marvel characters and world from the first heroes to the present (at the time the series was originally written). The best of it is that the protagonist is not a spandex hero, not a costumed vigilante, but a normal man. What the reader experiences is the story of photo-journalist Phil Sheldon, from his early days in the late thirties (working alongside an ambitious young journo, J Jonah Jameson) through to the early 1990s. Phil's obssession is `the marvels' whose arrival is announced by the god-like Human Torch and Submariner.

The world is convincing and real at all times- incredible given the fantastic events that accompany everyday life. This book is the ultimate tribute to the ethos instituted by Stan Lee (et al) to create a world of fantasy and adventure that is as almost as believable and familiar as our own. Phil is always a real man- he has biases, likes and dislikes and often doubts himself. Most often he doubts his faith in the marvels, whilst despairing of the constant jealousy and animosity they inspire in ordinary people.

The scenes of action are not exhilirating set pieces- they are terrifying orgies of destruction. Where a superhuman brawl takes place the carnage is inevitable as buildings are shattered and vehicles destroyed. Phil is as close to the heart of it as he can get. This is the superhuman world from a non-superpowered viewpoint: the idea of being able to lift ten tons may be interesting, but the idea of someone else being able to lift ten tons? and if they have very bad intentions?

The script is, therefore, absolutely top notch: Kurt Busiek has endowed every one of the myriad characters with a voice, a great deal of whom only appear briefly (Luke Cage and Doctor Octopus for example, amongst the marvels themselves). In this book the ordinary people are easily as interesting as their abnormal counterparts. The way the marvel comic lines are bound together is impressive in itself- speaking wonders for the dedication of those producing what was (is) essentially a mass-market, but grossly underrated, entertainment form. The other amazing thing about this book is the incredible amount of research and work put in by Kurt Busiek in compiling a single comprehensive timeline and plot from the reams of material. An outstanding achievement.

Alex Ross' art is the perfect complement to such a sprawling work- the art is real. Not super-realism, but actual portraits- even the most extreme of Marvel's creations manages, somehow, not to look out of place. Prime examples include Galactus and the armies of Atlantis. Every frame is a beautifully worked painting, some of those frames strikingly powerful. Amazingly the marvels themselves look at once real and superheroic, never appearing like `some athlete in tights'. The many scenes of everyday life feel tangibly real and counter point the surreal, superhuman marvels.

Having read this book you are likely never to look at superhero comics quite the same way again- this book will make a far-fetched concept acceptable to many of the most skeptical. To fans of superhero comics it brings the flipside of the coin solidly and satisfyingly home: the lives of the ordinary people are just as dramatic, just as important as their superhuman counterparts.

Recommended to anybody with an imagination- whether you like superheroes or not, whether you don't read comics for any reason, whether you only normally read fringe comics or if you have a solely literary interest. Read this book- more than anything it validates comics as a true artform and particularly confirms the much maligned spandex heroes. This book well deserves its place alongside graphic novels such as Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen and other less well known titles. Absolute, outstanding class! Buy it, you won't regret it.

This book bored my eight-year-old son, as the superheroes were such minor characters. But, I found myself caught up in the story; reliving memories of watching the Marvel universe unfold throughout my life. (Boy, do I wish that I had saved those old comic books!) I found the authors' take on things to be quite though provoking. Indeed, he showed how people have always had a love/hate relationship with the Marvels from their inception through the 1970s, in spite of the other changes in their world.

This is a great graphic novel, one with a refreshingly different take. I highly recommend it to you!