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1602
Part One: In Which we are Introduced…
1/NOV/2003
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Colors: Richard Isanove
Letters: Todd Klein
Price: $3.50 US/R41.00 SA
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This is easily one of the biggest Marvel events of the year
and has been shrouded in mystery since its inception. Finally the
veil has been lifted and it’s time to see if the secret is
worth telling…
It’s the year 1602 and Europe is in turmoil as a strange weather
pattern sweeps over England, witches or ’witch breed’
are burned in the streets of Spain and a strangely powerful girl
and her protector come to Europe via ship from the shores of the
Americas. All of the great powers are after a strange and potent
weapon that has been mentioned as the only thing that can save this
dying world…
Neil Gaiman [Sandman] returns
with what has been solicited as the comic’s event of the year.
One thing is for sure, it’s definitely big and undeniably
different. I for one am all for it, it’s great fun to see
a writer of his magnitude stretch his wings and let rip with a totally
new concept of the Marvel Universe.
Imagine if superheroes appeared five hundred years ago during
the middle ages, with mutants like the X-men being mistaken
for witches, secret agents such as Nick Fury working for the Queen
of England and Doctor Steven Strange as the court practitioner of
Magic. All of your favourite Marvel characters have been majestically
re-written and fitted into the cobblestone streets of yesteryear.
Without the right artistic team to make this vision of the past
come to life this project would undoubtedly be a flop. With Andy
Kubert and Richard Isanove on board the art is as intriguing
as the story. A stunning artistic landscape is
perfected by the duo of pencillist and colourist, and Isanove expertly
colours straight over Kubert’s pencils to produce a stunning
painted style that lends itself perfectly to the period piece that
is 1602. Special mention must be given to the awesome cover art
by Scott McKowen, it in many ways is even better
than the interior art and trust me that’s saying a lot!
A satisfying start to a new explorative look into the Marvel Universe.
Sometimes it feels like Gaiman is just trying to write in as many
famous Marvel characters as he can, but then again it seems to be
working so far and what the hell, that’s why he’s doing
this story and that’s what makes the book so interesting
and fun to read.
Score 9/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
