I'm not sure if I liked this or not. It seems like a cool idea at first, but it also feels really corny. I think it would have been outstanding had Gaiman written it without trying so hard to include the "famous" characters from the Marvel universe. Just do a what if superheroes were around in the 17th century. Not necessarily the superheroes you all know and love. ( )

I wasn't sure if I would like this book, simply because this era of history really doesn't interest me that much. I was drawn into the story almost immediately, though, and I enjoyed these comics immensely.

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. ( )

Solid read for fans of Marvel and history buffs. ( )

A really good graphic novel about the Marvel super heroes, back in Elizabethean time. Really liked it.

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. ( )

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. ( )

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). ( )

What if the Marvel universe is transported to 1602 A.D.? Will our history still be the same? ( )

Marvel classic characters transferred to the Elizabethan period.

This is a lovely work of fusion, you get familiar characters, lovely art and a 'save the world!' storyline.

Underwhelming on my first read. Perhaps I'll try it again sometime. ( )

I'm not hugely familiar with the Marvel canon, so my enjoyment of this hinged mostly on the artwork (which was striking and beautiful; the luminosity of the colouring was particularly striking) and Neil Gaiman's writing. I got enough of the references to mainstream Marvel canon to follow the story, but as it progressed, I felt there were more and more of them that I didn't get, which did get rather frustrating at times. It felt like the work was an excuse to make call-backs to Marvel canon rather than to tell a new story; overall, an enjoyable work, but not a great one. ( )

Alternate history Marvel.

I thought this look at a different history of the Marvel Universe, with various major characters having 17th century analogues in influential geopolitical roles as ok, but that was about it.

Not sure the ambiguous viewpoint character of Captain America improved it, although made a link to possible future stories, presumably important to the publisher, at least.

http://graphicsf.blogspot.com/2008/06... ( )

I really liked this book- it was a complete divergence from my normal reading- sort of fluff with a historical aspect. I found it a bit confusing- too many characters. It was a great idea that 20th century mythological characters can be moved around in time as the archetypes they are. ( )

An interesting twist on history and super heroes. I'm not a major marvel fan, but I really enjoyed this interpretation of things ( )

Not a book I would have picked up without recommendation, but I was glad I read it. The art was richly detailed, and the writing was even better. ( )

In "Marvel 1602," Neil Gaiman places characters from the Marvel universe in England and Spain in 1602. Nick Fury is a spy for Elizabeth I, assigned to gather information about a mysterious weapon being transported from Jerusalem by the last Templar. Meanwhile, Carlos Javier is running a shelter for mutants (called “witchbreed”) who are being persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition.
Although this book can stand apart from the Marvel comics in general and be enjoyed by those who are unfamiliar with them, Marvel fans will probably get the most out of it: my younger brother, a huge Marvel fan, practically grabbed it from my hand when he saw me reading it. This should go without saying, but I’ll still mention that it isn’t a good book for history buffs since historical facts are heavily altered even aside from the presence of the Marvel characters (i.e. Elizabeth I is assassinated, Roanoke is still a colony in 1602).
I wish I could let this go, but I have to say it: Virginia Dare’s bodyguard, a blonde and blue-eyed American Indian who speaks broken English, is a little bit offensive. I know they explain his character later (don't want to spoil it!), but I still couldn't get over how the fact that they would portray an American Indian in such a stereotypical way.
Now that I'm off my soapbox, I can say that this book was a fun read. I'd recommend it for anyone 14 and older. ( )

Gaiman drops some of Marvel's most famous superheros into Elizabethan England and proceeds to create a story that still works almost flawlessly. Who knew X-men could have existed in any place and time? ( )

I first read 1602 several years ago, in single issue form, while visiting friends at Goucher. I wasn't impressed at all. But this time, I came to it with a better understanding of the history of the Marvel characters Gaiman used and a better comics background in general. I think the forward by Peter Sanderson helped a lot as well, gave me some additional perspective/context.
The art and writing work very well together. I have never been a fan of Daredevil (though Bendis does good things with him) but I was terribly charmed by Matthew Murdoch's character. (Nearly) every character in 1602 has a counterpart in the Marvel universe. I am ashamed to say that I did not pick up on Petros being Quicksilver or Natasha being the Black Widow. ( )

I recently purchased the hard cover edition of Marvel 1602. This graphic novel is written by Neil Gaiman and drawn by Andy Kubert. Here, Gaiman reinvents the marvel universe by transporting iconic Marvel heroes to seventeenth century England.

We can see Stephen Strange working as the court magician of Queen Elizabeth, and Nick Fury acting as the Queen's spymaster (ala 007). Both Strange and Fury are working against the political maneuvering of Count Otto von Doom.

The two groups are seeking for the fabled treasure of the knights templar. Fury and Strange get to meet (and work with) other Marvel heroes: like the minstrel Matthew Murdoch (Daredevil), Peter Parquagh (Spiderman), Carlos Javier and his witchbreed (Professor X and the X Men), and the Four survivors of the Fantastick ship.

I like the way Giaman integrated the Marvel heroes into a Elizabethan-like setting. The plot invokes a sense of mystery and urgency. What is the legendary treasure of the Knight's templar? Who is Virginia Dare and his white American Indian bodyguard Rojhaz?

Overall, I find the series a nice read. It's been a long time since I enjoyed reading a comic book with an excellent storyline. I'm planning to buy the next series of the 1602 series (where some of the heroes have arrived in the New World). ( )

Neil Gaiman penned this newest entry into alternative universes of Marvel superheroes and it's great. Queen Elizabeth, the Inquisition, et al meet the X-Men and Dr. Strange. I loved it.
-- Michael

An amazing story by Neil Gaiman, setting the Marvel mythos in the year 1602, a story set in Europe and young America. Virtually all the major Marvel characters are portrayed here in a tale pitting the good and evil characters of Marvel against one another, with many layers of intrigue, and some of them waiting on the sidelines for a sign of what to do. Excellent writing by Gaiman and art by Joe Kubert's son. ( )

This book is so great! I think that die-hard comic book fans would really like this, but someone like me (who saw the first X-Men movie, and the Spiderman movie, and that is all I know about Marvel superheroes) would like it too! I'd say ages 14 and up, although younger kids who are really into Marvel comics would like it too.

Fusing the superhero mythology with the Elizabethan time period is so clever! ( )

Good art, cool idea but not great. Fun. ( )

Neil Gaiman often turns to myth as a source of inspiration for his writing, and "Marvel 1602" is no exception. There is something peculiar about the United States and its comic book heroes. It seems unlikely, for example, that a character named Captain Belgium could have found a publisher in Europe. Yet in America, costumed heroes have worked their way into our national story.

Gaiman capitalizes on this, and treats it as a peculiar mythology. Taking characters from the pages of Marvel comics, Gaiman weaves together an American national creation myth that is thought-provoking and often touching. Popular characters such as Captain America, Daredevil and Dr. Strange are portrayed in the year 1602, when the New World was still mysterious and harbored as much threat as hope to those in Europe. It’s a fun story, and interesting to see how Gaiman interprets each character’s particular avatar.

http://interactivereader.blogspot.com... ( )