Marvels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 (1994)

Summary: The history of the "Marvels", from the debut of the Human Torch through the death of Gwen Stacy, told from the man-on-the-street perspective of news photographer Phil Sheldon.

Continuity: As you might expect, a story with this broad a scope crosses Thunderbolts continuity at several points:
+ The original Citizen V is mentioned in narration ("1941-1961", 1943/03/00)
+ The return of Captain America is mentioned ("Captain America Joins...the Avengers", 1964/03/01)
+ The debut of the Masters of Evil is recounted, with a one-panel appearance by the Radioactive Man ("Masters of Evil", 1964/07/01)
+ The Beetle is mentioned in newsroom conversation ("The Birth of the Beetle!", 1964/08/01)
+ Simon Williams, Wonder Man-to-be, is mentioned as the subject of an embezzlement case ("The Coming of...the Wonder Man!", 1964/10/01)
+ The press conference announcing the new Avengers lineup, including Hawkeye, is recapped ("The Old Order Changeth", 1965/05/01)
+ The wedding of Sue and Reed Richards is recounted ("Bedlam at the Baxter Building!", 1966/03/01), with appearances from Hawkeye and Norman Osborn. Cleverly, Sheldon remembers that it "went off without a hitch", since all memory of the massive attack by the villains was wiped out.
+ The Avengers being declared a public menace is discussed, and the subsequent 'Avengers Day' celebration when their names are cleared, featuring Hawkeye, is recapped. ("The Bitter Taste of Defeat!", 1965/10/01)
+ SHIELD's battle with the Druids' egg-craft is recapped ("The Day of the Druid!", 1966/05/02)
+ The Avengers' battle with Attuma is recapped ("Four Against the Floodtide!", 1966/03/03)
+ Giant-Man's return to the Avengers as Goliath is mentioned in a newspaper clipping ("Among Us Walks...a Goliath!", 1966/05/01)
+ Count Nefaria's attack on Washington DC is discussed ("To Save a City", 1966/07/01)
+ The Kree-Skrull War is recapped, with Barton as Goliath ("The Kree-Skrull War", 1971/06/01)
+ The return of the Sentinels is recapped ("The Sentinels are Alive and Well!", 1972/08/01)
+ The battle between the Green Goblin and Spider-Man that leads to Gwen Stacy's death is a turning point for narrator Phil Sheldon. ("The Night Gwen Stacy Died!", 1973/06/01)

A TV report shows Hawkeye and the Hulk battling a "monstrous electrical creature" (Zzzax). This comes from an adventure that I have not included in Thunderbolts continuity.

Comments: I find the character of Phil Sheldon uncompelling, but the POV recapping of major events from Marvel history is effective, and Alex Ross' artwork is, always, awesome.

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This page was revised on November 14, 2008

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