Reviews

Marvels: The Remastered Edition by Kurt Busiek

wookieeatemyshoe's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

trin's review against another edition

3.0

A history of the Marvel Universe, as told from the perspective of an ordinary man. I wasn’t blown away by this, but I enjoyed it. As with much of Busiek’s work, the pace is slooooooow, and I wish that Phil could have been a bit more of a dynamic character in his own right. I did appreciate Busiek’s stab at making the logic of the X-Men fit in with the logic of the rest of Marvel’s heroes—it’s never made sense to me that a world that accepts the Fantastic Four is terrified of mutants. The Gwen Stacy chapter was well done as well.

Also: the art is gorgeous.

daumari's review against another edition

5.0

Alex Ross's excellent art and Kurt Busiek's story take us back through the building of the Marvel universe through the eyes of a freelance newspaper photographer, from the 1930s arrival of the Human Torch and Namor through the 70s simultaneous idol worship of the Fantastic Four and demonization of the mutants, through the death of Gwen Stacy. Gorgeously illustrated.

traitorjoe's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

josemclr's review against another edition

5.0

Para empezar, creo que finalmente he podido apreciar el universo de Marvel. Aparte de que el arte de Alex Ross es indiscutiblemente sublime, la historia es realmente interesante y conmovedora. Es emocionante ver momentos clave de este universo pero desde los ojos de personas normales o civiles y cómo estos reaccionan (de formas inesperadas pero después de todo humanas) a las situaciones planteadas. Es realmente una joyita de historia.

madelinerossell's review against another edition

5.0

The artwork, the storytelling, the nuanced idealism of heroes, the examination of the media and celebrity. *chefs kiss*

This would probably be a great introductory comic to get people up to speed on general occurences in Marvel's history, though reader be warned it's good to come in with a basic understanding of marvel characters origins so nothing is spoiled.

katyanaish's review against another edition

5.0

This rating is all about the artwork. There are shots in this book that are literally breathtaking.

That's not to say the story is a slouch. Its actually a really fun idea. Its a retelling / look back at the emergence of superheroes onto the world scene, from the eyes of a reporter in Mahattan who was lucky enough to have a front row seat. Its a nice tweak on the usual superhero stories, in that its told from the POV of a shocked normal guy... and the art is gorgeous, pieced together from his photos of the action as things unfolded.

reaperreads's review against another edition

5.0

I don't know where to begin to describe my love for this graphic novel. I could not put it down for longer than a second to get a sandwich and return to it immediately with a mouthful of peanut butter, and mind full of anticipation. Busiek and Ross brought the story down to a very human level that I had been waiting to see ever since I got into reading comics. A taste of the civilian's perspective was gleaned from "Daredevil: Wake Up" when I read that work a little while ago, but Marvels takes that perspective to the next level by showing an entire timeline from the perspective of a photographer who is progressing through careers, adulthood, married life, etc. We watch as he changes while the world around him changes at a similar, if not alarmingly quicker pace. There is more to the story than watching a photographer watching the frightened people watching their once-enemies-now-idols warp their world into an unbelievable stage of fantasy. Are we not all watchers, as the creators of Marvel satirically hint at in several different continuities? We listen, we become alarmed, then we forget. It is a simple cycle that Busiek captured and dissected to show just how much more complex that sort of human condition is when we really take a gander at it. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the elements that Busiek and Ross chose to highlight in this Graphic Novel, and would recommend to any lover of comics.

i_have_no_process's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

4.75

The most joyful kind of retrospective imaginable. Nostalgia, charm, and humanity weaving together splendidly.

fowziabowza's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5