Books: Marvels

_______________________________________________________________________________

Marvels
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Alex Ross
1995




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

With beautiful fully painted Norman Rockwell-style artwork from Alex Ross - this book is a luxurious treat for anyone who's ever read a Marvel comic. One of the first notable series to star a normal human being living at the bottom of a world full of costume powered heroes (see also: Astro City, Powers, Gotham Central and Kingdom Come) Marvels stars ordinary news photographer Phil Sheldon and spans several years from 1939 all the way to 1974. Featuring cameos from all the major Marvel heroes (Spider-man, Fantastic Four, The X-Men etc) but not always in the way you would expect - this is a book that shows you how the epic battles and galactic conflicts of superheroes can affect, shape and change (or fail to change) the life of one man. Ideally balanced with enough references and in-jokes to tickle all the Marvel fan boys and girls but also enough of an emotionally gripping story to satisfy those who don't know the difference between Doctor Doom and Doctor Octavius. This is a thoughtful superhero book that uses classic Marvel storylines to address weighty human issues (tolerance, prejudice, family, love) that will make your rethink your perspective on superheroes.

..................................................................................................................................................
Links: The Hurting Article: Another Look At Marvels, The Hurting Article: (X) + (Y) = You Suck or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Spandex, The M0vie Blog Review, Whatever Comics Review, The Comics Cube Article: Pop Medicine: All the Fancy Artistic Goals.

Further reading: Astro City, Powers, Gotham Central, Kingdom Come, The World's Greatest Super-Heroes, Watchmen.

All comments welcome.