Marvels #0

[tripodeca113]

"My original concept was a book that would pay homage to Marvel Comics #1 by including stories with it's stars, the Torch and the Sub-Marnier. I took a break from pursuing regular comic work to produce a package I felt would really represent my best efforts and tell a story I really wanted to tell - a 12-page retelling of the Human Torch's origins, fully illustrated and lettered.

The first person I showed it to was Kurt Busiek, with whom I'd worked with on Open Space, and someone I thought would be interested in my idea for a short story anthology starring Marvel heroes and featuring painted artwork."

Alex Ross- Marvel Age #130

(4 out of 12 pages)


In the late 1930's scientist Phineas Thomas Norton is working on a project.



Due to some unknown flaw, the android bursts into flame on contact with air.



Bowing to public pressure Norton, has his creation placed in an air-tight capsule and buried in concrete. Hoping someday to cure his creation of the fatal flaw, Norton attaches it to a device, to educate it about the world.





Trapped in darkness the Human Torch, longs for freedom.
One day the concrete breaks, exposing him to air, and allowing him to escape.

Comments

[icon_uk]

Even as someone who grew up with Frank Hampson's Dan Dare, and Don Lawrence's Trigan Empire, the art here was a revelation.

It needed a writer as strong as Kurt Busiek to make it work though, so thank heavens they DID get together on this.

[scelestus]

Yep. This is about as perfect as it can get.

[iamrman]

This entire series was a delight to read. It's a pity that Ross didn't stay for the sequel.