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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.  rosesyesterday | Nov 11, 2009 |  A really good graphic novel about the Marvel super heroes, back in Elizabethean time. Really liked it. Kaybowes | Jun 30, 2009 | When I used to read comic books, I loved the "What If...?" series. For those of you who don't know what that is: it was a speculative series published by Marvel that would answer some hypothetical question, like "What if The Punisher became Captain America?" This, in the spirit of What If...? answers the question of What if the Marvel Superheroes emerged in the early 17th century, instead of in modern day? In an era between one ruler and the next, England's newest king James decides to make steps necessary to eliminate the Witchbreed, that is, individuals who exhibit super strength. In this collection, penned by The Sandman's Neil Gaiman, we are given a glimpse at the 17th century's Fantastic(k) Four, Bruce Banner, Peter Parker, Daredevil, and the X-Men. Additionally, we meet villains such as Dr. Doom and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by the chief inquisitor, this era's Magneto. Other heroes exist in this era as well, but are left as treats for the reader. I loved this series so much that I went out of my way to get the other two books in the series (sadly, not written by Gaiman, but worthwhile in their own rights). This story gives you both a history lesson and an entertaining graphic novel all at once. Definitely required reading for any fans of Marvel's speculative issues, and recommended highly for fans of Neil Gaiman. (  ) aethercowboy | May 22, 2009 | I could say a lot here, but I won't. Why I loved it: Neil Gaiman, really inventive premise, beautiful artwork, and a lot of fun matching up the Elizabethan superheroes to their modern day counterparts. This is what a good comic book should be--draws you in and won't leave you alone until you've finished it, all the while reading with a ridiculously big, childlike smile on your face. Loved it. ( ) snat | Apr 10, 2009 | Gaiman re-envisions the history of the Marvel superheroes in the Elizabethan age of the beginning of the 17th century. Many fan-favourites make an appearance, with the major groups at the fore. Gaiman's story is not quite up to his usual par, but the art by Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove is amazing. Also the cover art by Scott McKowen is very unique and beautiful, and fitting to the setting. The twist of the story is quite surprising and interesting, and fits the connected character's idea well, I think. On the other hand, it's something of a deus-ex-machina type, and sort of a cheap shot. The best times with this book are had when you note how differently, but at the same time similarly, certain characters are used. Oh, and it helps A LOT if you know the Marvel canon by heart (which I don't). (  ) JapaG | Apr 4, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0785110704, Hardcover)"1602 is a triumph. The Marvel universe hasn't been this engrossing in ages." - Entertainment Weekly Neil Gaiman's vision of the Marvel Universe in the year 1602! The year is 1602, and strange things are stirring in England. In the service of Queen Elizabeth, court magician Dr. Stephen Strange senses that the bizarre weather plaguing the skies above is not of natural origin. Her majesty's premier spy, Sir Nicholas Fury, fends off an assassination attempt on the Queen by winged warriors rumored to be in service to a mad despot named Doom. News is spreading of "witchbreed" sightings - young men bearing fantastic superhuman powers and abilities. And in the center of the rising chaos is Virginia Dare, a young girl newly arrived from the New World, guarded by a towering Indian warrior. Can Fury and his allies find a connection to these unusual happenings before the whole world ends? In Marvel 1602, award-winning writer Neil Gaiman presents a unique vision of the Marvel Universe set four hundred years in the past. Classic Marvel icons such as the X-Men, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and Daredevil appear in this intriguing world of 17th- century science and sorcery, instantly familiar to readers, yet subtly different in this new time. Marvel 1602 combines classic Marvel action and adventure with the historically accurate setting of Queen Elizabeth's reign to create a unique series unlike any other published by Marvel Comics(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:04 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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The art is beautiful and really sets the tone for the story. The covers are especially noteworthy, and you can tell that the artist put a lot of work and thought into them. The plot itself was very good and "meaty." This isn't a book that you're going to be able to breeze through in half an hour, like many comics collections. This was a solid few hours of reading and had some depth to it, which I appreciated.
It does help if you know the Marvel Universe; it's not completely necessary, but you're going to miss some things if you aren't already familiar with these characters. (