Set Description:
Marvelman, a veritable Captain Marvel clone, was created by British writer-illustrator Mick Anglo in 1954, as an answer to the void left behind by Shazam, in the wake of DC's copyright infringement lawsuit against publisher Fawcett.
The character would eventually re-emerge in 1982 in the UK magazine Warrior (a Quality Communications publication, edited and published by Dez Skinn). Writer Alan Moore re-imagined Marvelman's origin and backstory, majestically brought to life by artists Garry Leach and Alan Davis, hailing a new era in comicbook storytelling and leading the charge in a new wave of character deconstruction best suited for a mature readership. Ironically, Marvelman triggered yet another legal brouhaha, this time a trademark infringement suit instituted by Marvel Comics over the use of the name "Marvel", ultimately leading to Warrior Magazine's untimely demise at 26 issues.
But thankfully, as fate would have it, Marvelman ended up in the hands of Pacific Comics, an American West Coast independent publishing house, and soon after, into the hands of Eclipse Comics (taking guardianship of the character when Pacific Comics fell insolvent), who colorized and reprinted the Marvelman black and white serialized strips as they had appeared in Warrior Magazine, however, under a new title: Miracleman (to avoid any further legal entanglements by Marvel Comics). Alan Moore eventually returned to complete his visionary saga, joined by Kubert School alum John Totleben, culminating in a 16-issue run that is the stuff of legend. Neil Gaiman picked up the reins when Alan Moore departed, doing an admirable job in keeping the mythology relevant.
Alas, tragedy once again struck this misbegotten character, when financial hardship eclipsed Eclipse (pun intended) and the series yet again terminated abruptly, this time at issue 24. Nevertheless, Miracleman remains a modern day masterpiece like none other, and is a must for any comic collector/enthusiast.
|