Jim Cheung 50/50 Covers
Edwards Cover
Marvel Comics – July, 2008 – $3.99 – 40 pg. – Color
Wtiter: Mark Millar – Artist: Tommy Lee Edwards – Cover(s): Jim Cheung, Tommy Lee Edwards
“Haunted”
Most older comic fans look back at the year 1985 as a golden year. Comics were well on their way to their peak in popularity and many iconic characters such as Spider-Man and Iron Man were just as most former comic fans remember them. I wasn’t even born at the time, but it’s hard not to feel good about a comic series that ventures back to these golden days.
This premier issue starts with a brief recap of Secret Wars(One of the very first “event” titles in comic history) and we soon see the main character Toby in his element –A comic book shop. Through various blunt comic references. Toby leaves the shop and goes into an inner monologue talking about himself and how he got into comics. After another forceful reference, we’re introduced to Toby’s father and step-father. Toby’s father then takes him through the woods to see an old abandoned house that had recently been sold. The two run into the new owner, who tries passing on whole box-fulls of rare and valuable comic books onto them. Toby doesn’t pay too much attention as he sees what appears to be the Red Skull standing beside a window in the old house.
After talking with his friends and mother, Toby catches a glimpse of what appears to be a crazed man in a bird suit on TV. Toby instantly recognizes him as the Vulture. Toby then decides that the two sightings can’t be just a coincidence and goes out to investigate the old house. He then catches the new owner from before (The Mole-man) and Doctor Doom arguing about their plan of action. Doom then trashes the furniture left outside and sends the mole-men after Toby after Toby blurts something out. Trying to run away, Toby is confused and doesn’t even realize he ran right into a certain Green Goliath.
Standard first issue stuff with a lot of promise. The writing and story are near flawless, if not for those forced 1980’s references and a really awkward scene inside the comic shop. The art is also excellent, with a perfect blend between a gritty and cartoonish style. Perfect considering the time the story is set in and the time this story is being made in.
The Verdict: An excellent first issue that makes people hearken back to the good ol’ days.
Story: 9 – Writing: 9 – Art: 9 – Cheung 50/50 Covers: 9.5, Edwards Cover: 8.5
Overall: 9.1 (Overall Score uses the Cheung Covers score)
