| Introduction |
The projects covered herein are as follows:
Following these is a list of other sites of interest.
| xxxxx | The Continuity Pages | - | ||||
| - | MARVELS | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ | JulianiDarius | xxxxx | |||
The projects covered herein are as follows:
Following these is a list of other sites of interest. |
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Marvels is probably the best closed-ended work ever published by
Marvel Comics. Published at the end of 1993 and in early 1994, it brought Alex Ross to instant
celebrity, leading to his illustration of DC's
Kingdom Come.
It also brought Kurt Busiek to celebrity, leading to his
Astro City. Alex
Ross refused to illustrate the projected sequel, set to focus on later events in the Marvel
Universe, then Kurt Busiek removed himself from the project as well. The sequel thus never
materialized. Mid-1995 saw the publication of a two-part sequel of sorts: Ruins,
scripted by Warren Ellis. The two issues featured
the same reporter as Marvels, but took place in a (more realistic) universe wherein the
"accidents" that produced the marvels instead deformed, maimed, and killed. The two issues felt
rushed and may have been a shorter version of an intended four-part original. Ruins thus
forms the dystopic, pessimistic underside to the optimistic Marvels, creating a diptych.
| ||||||
| Marvels #0 | features the creation of the Human Torch | |||||
| Marvels #1 | "A Time of Marvels"; occurs during World War II; cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated January 1994 | |||||
| Marvels #1 [second printing] | printed on cheaper paper with a normal cover; cover-dated March 1996 | |||||
| Marvels #2 | "Monsters"; focuses on the X-Men and the world's reaction against mutants; cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated February 1994 | |||||
| Marvels #2 [second printing] | printed on cheaper paper with a normal cover; cover-dated April 1996 | |||||
| Marvels #3 | "Judgment Day"; retells of Galactus's coming from the perspective of the man on the street; cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated March 1994 | |||||
| Marvels #3 [second printing] | printed on cheaper paper with a normal cover; cover-dated May 1996 | |||||
| Marvels #4 | "The Day She Died"; retells the death of Gwen Stacy (Spider-Man's girlfriend); cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated April 1994 | |||||
| Marvels #4 [second printing] | printed on cheaper paper with a normal cover; cover-dated June 1996 | |||||
| Marvels | collects Marvels #0, 1-4; features
Spider-Man holding a camera on the cover
[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK] | |||||
 Larger Version Available | Marvels [original softcover] | original softcover edition | ||||
| Marvels [hardcover] | original hardcover edition | |||||
| Marvels 10th Anniversary Edition | includes Busiek's original proposals and scripts; features the four issues' covers on the cover; hardcover | |||||
| ||||||
 Larger Version Available |
Ruins #1 | "Men on Fire"; cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated August 1995 | ||||
| Ruins #2 | "Women in Flight"; cardstock cover with an transparent outer cover; cover-dated September 1995 | |||||
Earth X began as an outline by Alex Ross, prompted by Wizard to show
what a Marvel version of DC's
Kingdom Come
would look like. Marvel optioned a series. It was subsequently produced, with writer Jim
Krueger scripting Ross's ideas, as a mini-series consisting of fourteen issues (12 issues, plus
a #0 issue and an issue subtitled X). Spurred by Alex Ross's involvement and supported
by John Paul Leon's pencils, the series was a hit -- and the decision was made to make it a
trilogy consisting of Earth X, Universe X, and Paradise X.Universe X was launched as another (similarly numbered)
fourteen-issue mini-series with an added series of specials occurring between issues: these
four specials -- 4: A Universe X Special, Spidey: A Universe X Special,
Cap: A Universe X Special, and Beasts: A Universe X Special -- would focus on
particular characters. In addition, a special entitled Universe X: Omnibus was added,
including sketches and designs by Alex Ross. The specials had different artistic teams, while
Doug Braithwaite took over to pencil the mini-series itself.Paradise X, concluding the trilogy, was to be another (similarly
numbered) fourteen-issue mini-series with added specials. This time, however, the mini-series
was introduced with a three-issue mini-series entitled Paradise X: The Heralds #1-3,
illustrated by Steve Pugh and focusing on a group of heroes from alternate dimensions. The
Paradise X mini-series, like Universe X before it, was to have a number of
specials focusing on particular characters: Paradise X: Xen and Paradise X:
Devils. A third special, Paradise X: Ragnarok (focusing on the Asgardians), was
planned.But the excitement of the original concept had worn thin. Many felt Doug
Braithwaite was a poor substitute for John Paul Leon, who himself many felt to have been a poor
substitute for the celebrated Alex Ross. With sales low, Marvel Comics chose not to solicit
additional specials as well as the concluding X issue -- because that final issue was,
officially, a separate special and not the concluding issue of the mini-series. Fans objected,
and Marvel conceded the point. Paradise X: Ragnarok became a two-issue mini-series and
Paradise X: X was split into two issues entitled Paradise X: A and Paradise
X: X. Although the intended structure had been sacrificed, no pages were lost in the
substitution. The Earth X trilogy was allowed to conclude properly.
| ||||||
| Earth X #0 | 48 pages | |||||
| Earth X #1 | ||||||
| Earth X #2 | ||||||
| Earth X #3 | ||||||
| Earth X #4 | ||||||
| Earth X #5 | ||||||
| Earth X #6 | ||||||
| Earth X #7 | ||||||
| Earth X #8 | ||||||
| Earth X #9 | ||||||
| Earth X #10 | ||||||
| Earth X #11 | ||||||
| Earth X #12 | ||||||
| Earth X: X | 48 pages, no ads; cover-dated June 2000 | |||||
 Larger Version Available | Earth X | collects Earth X #0, 1-12 and Earth X: X; 472 pages or so; published in December 2000
[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK] | ||||
| Earth X [special hardcover edition] | hardcover; in transparent case with a three-dimensional X-51 | |||||
| ||||||
| Universe X #0 | about 40 pages; cover-dated September 2000 | |||||
 Larger Version Available | 4: A Universe X Special | Susan (Invisible Woman) is resurrected; Doctor Doom repents; about 40 pages; Brent Anderson art; published between Universe X #0 and #1 | ||||
| Universe X #1 | ||||||
| Universe X #2 | ||||||
| Universe X #3 | ||||||
 Larger Version Available | Spidey: A Universe X Special | Peter Parker fantasizes about having married Gwen Stacy, then reconciles with his daughter; about 48 pages; art by Jackson Guice and John Romita (Sr.); published between Universe X #3 and #4 | ||||
| Universe X #4 | ||||||
 Larger Version Available | Cap: A Universe X Special | Cap dies; about 48 pages; Thomas Yeates and John Totleben art; published between Universe X #4 and #5 | ||||
| Universe X #5 | ||||||
| Universe X #6 | ||||||
| Universe X #7 | ||||||
 Larger Version Available | Universe X Vol. 1 | collects Universe X #0, 1-7 with 4: A Universe X Special, Spidey: A Universe X Special, and Cap: A Universe X Special; published on Thursday, 4 April 2002
[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK] | ||||
| Universe X #8 | ||||||
| Beasts: A Universe X Special | 48 pages; Tom Yeates and John Totleben art; published between Universe X #8 and #9 | |||||
| Universe X #9 | ||||||
| Universe X #10 | ||||||
| Universe X #11 | ||||||
| Universe X #12 | ||||||
| Universe X: X | 48 pages; cover-dated October 2001 | |||||
| Universe X: Omnibus | about 40 pages; includes sketches by Alex Ross and Doug Braithwaite; published in April 2001 between Beasts: A Universe X Special and Universe X #9 | |||||
| Universe X Vol. 2 | collects Universe X #8-12, Universe X: X with Beasts: A Universe X Special and Universe X: Omnibus; published on Wednesday, 12 June 2002 | |||||
| ||||||
| Paradise X: The Heralds #1 | features X-51, Wolverine, Deathlok, Killraven, Bloodstorm, Iron Man 2020, Hyperion (from Squadron Supreme), and Spider-Girl; cover-dated December 2001 | |||||
| Paradise X: The Heralds #2 | ||||||
| Paradise X: The Heralds #3 | final issue | |||||
| Paradise X #0 | 48 pages | |||||
| Paradise X #1 | ||||||
| Paradise X #2 | ||||||
| Paradise X: Xen | 48 pages; Steve Yeowell pencils; Bill Sienkiewicz inks | |||||
| Paradise X #3 | ||||||
| Paradise X #4 | ||||||
| Paradise X #5 | ||||||
| Earth X Vol. 4: Paradise X Book 1 | collects Paradise X: The Heralds #1-3, Paradise X #0, 1-5, and Paradise X: Xen; Jim Krueger afterword; published on Wednesday, 27 August 2003 | |||||
| Paradise X: Devils | 48 pages; Steve Sadowski pencils; Andrew Pepoy inks | |||||
| Paradise X #6 | ||||||
| Paradise X #7 | ||||||
| Paradise X #8 | ||||||
| Paradise X: Ragnarok #1 | ||||||
| Paradise X: Ragnarok #2 | final issue | |||||
| Paradise X #9 | ||||||
| Paradise X #10 | ||||||
| Paradise X #11 | ||||||
| Paradise X #12 | ||||||
| Paradise X: A | 23 pages | |||||
| Paradise X: X | 24 pages | |||||
| Earth X Vol. 5: Paradise X Book 2 | collects Paradise X #6-12, Paradise X: A, and Paradise X: X, with Paradise X: Devils and Paradise X: Ragnarok #1-2; also includes sketchbook material by Alex Ross
[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK] | |||||
The Sentry, published in 2000 by Marvel's "Marvel Knights"
pseudo-imprint, featured a Marvel Superman-archetypal-figure. The kicker was that he was the
first (Silver Age) Marvel hero but that he had disappeared at some point and become forgotten.
As a publicity stunt, Marvel got Wizard -- the best-selling comic magazine, one with an
audience that skewed young and coverage that skewed toward super-heroes and the biggest comics
publishers -- to print false (news) stories about how Stan Lee had actually created The Sentry in
1961 prior to his creation of
the Fantastic Four, but that no one remembered it. Many bought the
story, despite its suspiscious nature and that it was Wizard that broke the story.In retrospect, this was an appauling situation: imagine a book publisher
convincing The New York Times to go along with a fake story that an plan for a novel of
Ernest Hemmingway's had been found and would be used in a new novel by another writer. Of
course, Wizard is hardly The New York Times. But imagine a movie company
convincing The Star, a tabloid, to print a false story about how an early Kubrick
project, complete with storyboards, had been discovered and would soon be completed by another
director. If this were revealed, it would (one hopes) rightly be scandalous. So the whole
episode really served to illustrate what a ghetto the comic book industry in America (once a
popular phenomenon) had become, which is, of course, why it is not covered by The New York
Times despite that it is an art form.The series itself was mediocre. It featured the team of writer Paul
Jenkins and Jae Lee, who had previously worked together on the successful Marvel Knights 12-issue
mini-series The Inhumans. The series began as five slow but enjoyable issues, the best
feature of which was probably their fantastic intellectual cliffhanger-like endings. The Sentry
himself, in his process of slowly remembering that he was an important super-hero, recalled
Alan Moore's early
Miracleman work, though in a much expanded
form and set in the Marvel Universe. Following these five issues, four issues were published
within a month, each featuring a different artist and focusing on The Sentry's forgotten past
with various Marvel heroes. These were of disappointing quality, as the art was not always up
to Lee's par and because the stories were mostly flashbacks to phony Silver Age tales that
lacked the delight of, say, Alan Moore's similar flashbacks in Supreme (published
earlier). Following these, the series concluded well with a final issue that got back to the
main story and featured Lee's art. The whole was enjoyable, more for its structure and many
interesting ideas, but had been injured by the four spin-off issues, which seem to have been
made for commercial effect more than the (interesting but ineffective) artistic point of
elaborating upon The Sentry's lost relationship with each character or set of characters.One of the most interesting elements of the series is the fact that it
did happen -- that Peter Parker really won the Pulitzer Prize, for example, and that the entire
Marvel Universe as we know it is really a set of alternate memories and the results of them.
In other words, the Sentry really was the first Silver Age Marvel hero -- but no one
remembers him. Though Marvel continuity was restored at the end of the series, it is entirely
affected by false memories, and this is a fact about the Marvel Universe that few seem to know
or care about.
| The Sentry #1 | |||
| The Sentry #2 | |||
| The Sentry #3 | |||
| The Sentry #4 | |||
| The Sentry #5 | |||
| The Sentry / Fantastic Four #1 | Phil Winslade pencils; Tom Palmer inks | ||
| The Sentry / Spider-Man #1 | Rick Leonardi pencils; Terry Austin inks | ||
| The Sentry / Hulk #1 | Bill Sienkiewicz art | ||
| The Sentry / X-Men #1 | Mark Texeira art | ||
| The Sentry Vs. The Void #1 | |||
 Larger Version Available | The Sentry | collects The Sentry #1-5, The Sentry / Fantastic Four #1, The Sentry / Spider-Man #1, The Sentry / Hulk #1, The Sentry / X-Men #1, The Sentry Vs. The Void #1; includes the printed phony conversations between (Marvel Editor-in-Chief) Joe Quesada and Stan Lee from the back of the main issues; also includes a short piece on Wizard's deliberate false journalism and a brief afterword by Stan Lee; published in 2001
[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK] | |
Marvel 1602 -- more commonly known simply as 1602 -- was an
8-issue mini-series published in 2003-2004. The series was written by
Neil Gaiman, who had never before written for
Marvel despite his extremely celebrated status in both comics and novels -- but who struck a deal
with Marvel to write a mini-series, the profits of which would be donated to the lawsuit fighting
Todd McFarlane over the rights to
Miracleman. Assigned to the project was the
artistic team of the hit mini-series
Origin: Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove, the
latter of which provided digital colors with gradations half mimicking painting. Marvel imposed
near-absolute secrecy over the project, originally planned for 2002 release, even through the
delays that moved the series to the 2003 schedule.
 Larger Version Available | Marvel 1602 #1 | 34 pages; published on Wednesday, 13 August 2003
[READ JULIAN DARIUS'S ANNOTATIONS] | |
| Marvel 1602 #2 | published on Wednesday, 10 September 2003
[READ JULIAN DARIUS'S ANNOTATIONS] | ||
| Marvel 1602 #3 | published on Wednesday, 8 October 2003
[READ JULIAN DARIUS'S ANNOTATIONS] | ||
| Marvel 1602 #4 | published on Wednesday, 13 November 2003
[READ JULIAN DARIUS'S ANNOTATIONS] | ||
| Marvel 1602 #5 | |||
| Marvel 1602 #6 | the Old Man is revealed to be Thor; published on Wednesday, 14 January 2004 | ||
| Marvel 1602 #7 | |||
| Marvel 1602 #8 | |||
In 2003, Marvel began soliciting its future comics in a monthly comic
book-sized publication entitled Marvel Previews, inserted into Previews -- the
monthly publication of Diamond Comics (which occupied a monopoly over comics distribution) --
and also available separately. As a 94-page comic book, Marvel's solicitations could take up
more space and include additional preview material or even out-of-print issues designed to spur
sales. Each issue was a flip book, allowing for two covers and easy access to these previews
or reprints.
| Marvel Previews #1 | listed in the indicia as Marvel Catalog: Vol. 6, No. 11; includes, in addition to a catalogue of Marvel publications to be published in November 2003, a full reprint of Mystique #1; was included in the September 2003 issue of Previews (vol. XIII, #9); cover-dated November 2003 | ||
| Marvel Previews #2 | |||
| Marvel Previews #3 | includes a 9-page preview of Uncanny X-Men #437 and an 11-page preview of Captain America #20 | ||
| Marvel Previews #4 | includes a full reprint of Runaways #7 and a 9-page preview of Daredevil (second series) #56 | ||
| Marvel Previews #5 | includes an 11-page preview of The Pulse #1 and an 8-page preview of Emma Frost #7 | ||
| Marvel Previews #6 | |||
| Marvel Previews #7 | |||
| Marvel Previews #8 | |||
| Marvel Previews #9 | |||
| Marvel Previews #10 | |||
| Marvel Previews #11 | |||
| Marvel Previews #12 | no last issue known | ||
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