Marvels

Marvels is a wonderful story of living in the Marvel Universe while magnificent and terrifying things happen around you. Told from the perspective of a photojournalist, Marvels tells how it is to live in a world where grand battles and fantastic figures are everyday occurrences. Beautifully painted by Alex Ross, and deftly told by Kurt Busiek with tremendous effort for continuity and preservation of established history, Marvels is a true spectacle of comic art.

The 10th anniversary edition is particularly interesting, as it contains a wealth of background information, including interviews with Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, original pitch ideas for the series, artistic background information, and loads of trivial minutiae for the hard-core fan.

The biggest bang for your buck comes if you're familiar with the Marvel classics - it's for these people that the nuances shine. But any comics fan should appreciate the shift in perspective and discover what it's like to live in a world filled with Marvels.

My amazing wife presented this book to me wrapped up for my birthday yesterday and I could not have been more impressed. This book entails not only the 0 through 4 limited series of Marvels but also includes the script from previous collected editions and every known piece of Alex Ross art for Marvel from the last 20 years. wizard promotional art covers to all the special editions leading up to now earth X you name it it is in this book I was truly impressed I'm a huge Alex Ross fan marvel fan I know the history of this story I know the history of his work and this book rivals anything anyone has ever made featuring his work. I'm disappointed with previous reviews I have seen for this work especially the critique concerning the margins for those who thought this took away from the book I disagree and I have the opposite view it adds to it I for one was very impressed. Marvel did an outstanding job putting this book together and it is one of the finest pieces of merchandise Marvel has ever offered us fans. if you are on the fence about this book and reading reviews hoping to make the right choice if mine means anything to you let me put your concerns at ease seriously buy this book it will be worth it to you it will instantly become the hallmark of your collection your friends will be jealous you will be elated by the experience you will be amazed and surprised at what they included in this production I am glad I ignored the negative hype and thankful to have received this as a gift and I hope that my review helps sway all the negative stuff you're going to see other from people that did not appreciate what they had

The comic series that helped make writer Kurt Busiek and artist Alex Ross household names for comic book fans is re-produced brilliantly in this handsome, 10th Anniversary hardcover edition. Marvels tells the story of photographer Phil Sheldon; an average joe who witnesses pivotal events in Marvel history through his eyes as well as his camera. From the first battle between Namor the Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch, to the coming of Captain America in World War II, to the fear and hatred expressed by normal people towards the mutant menace, to the coming of Galactus, to the death of Gwen Stacy at the hands of Spider-Man's arch nemesis the Green Goblin; Sheldon is there to witness it all. Throughout the mini-series, Busiek manages to pack in plenty of events and tell a very poignant story, but it's the brilliantly painted artwork of Ross that makes Marvels worth owning. His lush and lifelike interpretations of classic Marvel icons remain some of the best work the in-demand artist has ever done, and only makes readers ache for him to do more Marvel work. In addition to the story, there is a horde of extras included in this pricey hardcover, including essays and reflections from Busiek, Ross, Stan Lee, and John Romita, Sr. among others. Also included are some of Ross' early designs, the original proposals and scripts, and even a look at the many cameos packed throughout Ross' illustrations. While the main story itself begs to be just a little bit longer, Marvels was a classic then, and it remains so all these years later. All in all, this anniversary edition of Marvels is a must own for Marvel comic fans new and old alike.

"Marvels" was first published in 1994, written by an up-and-coming writer named Kurt Busiek, and introducing the world to the art of Alex Ross, whose painted style was (and, in many ways, still is) a revelation (albeit a revelation that would henceforth be mostly associated with rival DC Comics). I will start by saying that the comparisons to Ross' DC project "Kingdom Come" (with writer Mark Waid) are in most ways misleading. The only real similarity between the two is that they are both early famous works by Alex Ross; "Kingdom Come" is an epic set in an alternate future where the role of heroes is in dispute between the old guard and the next generation, between metahumans and non-metahumans, and between heroes and the general public. "Marvels" is a man-on-the-street story, following a photojournalist from the debut of the first heroes in the Golden Age circa 1939, through to the death of Gwen Stacy in 1973 (publishing time). Along the way, Busiek exmines the meaning of the heroes ('marvels', as the photojournalist calls them) to the ordinary people they protect, and shows how various classic stories (the coming of Galactus, the night of the Sentinels) affected them. Particular mention must be made of Busiek's handling of mutants, and the prejudice they face; it often seems to be somewhat arbitrary that mutants are hated while other superhumans, like the Fantastic Four, are celebrated, but Busiek really digs deep and makes the fear mutants face seem reasonable. The story of the young mutant girl is absolutely heartbreaking, as sad as anything I've ever read. Alex Ross' art rendres the whole story with precise realism. All in all, a fine piece of work.

In order to have a complete appreciation of Marvels, you kind of had to "be there" when this four issue mini-series first hit the comic shops in 1994 or so. And it did'nt hurt to be a lifelong "True Believer", or to be a card carrying member of F.O.O.M., (Friends Of Ol' Marvel). I won't forget how I first heard about Marvels. I was flipping through a Diamond Previews catalogue, the Marvel Comics section, and I noticed a solicitation of a new comic called Marvels. All I remember is that the description mentioned that this comic was fully painted, with translucent Mylar covers, and that this comic was about a man in the street's point of view of super heroes. My reaction was hmm, sounds kinda interesting. Time passed, and there came the day Marvels was finally released, after a few months of anticipation. I almost could'nt believe my eyes. Sure, I had seen a relative few painted comics before this, but nothing quite like this. I have never seen the original Human Torch look so real. Almost like a color photograph. Since the "comic" was already in a bag and board, I did'nt even have to flip through it to see if I liked it or not. I passed it to the comic shop cashier. Here, ring it up. I got home and I could not wait to read it. Page after page, was Marvelous. Hey, who in the heck is this Alex Ross guy anyway. Issue after issue was pure wow material. In a very short time every fanboy and fangirl out there knew who Alex Ross was. And no, I am not forgetting Kurt Busiek, who wrote a pretty darn good story there. Eventually, Marvels was finally wrapped up with the fourth issue, and you began to wonder, what is Alex Ross going to do next. There was also this sense, at the time, that Marvels was sort of a gift from Marvel. A big sort of payoff for being a Marvel fan or something. A reminder of what Marvel used to be. Never forget your heroes.
Since this edition of Marvels, 10th Anniversary Edition came out in 2004, we may yet see, fairly soon in 2014, a twentieth anniversary edition. Yet for this particular edition I don't know how they could top this. If DC Comics were producing this book, this edition would most certainly be a Absolute edition, with all the wealth of extra material contained here. This edition of Marvels 10th Anniversary Edition includes all four issues of the original series, the special zero issue, and over 200 pages of extras. Unseen promotional art, sketches, and some unused art. Several script drafts with commentaries, and concept presentations. This book is oversized, about the size of a Marvel Omnibus, and looks very nice on a book shelf. This book is a must have for your Marvel library. Cheers!

Marvel comics made history when it introduced art whiz, Alex Ross, to the general comic book public. In a 4 part miniseries, collected handsomely in this TPB, Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross take us on a history run of Marvel's most famous heroes, as we learn of their beginnings and take a ride down memory lane through the eyes of a photojournalist, a normal human.
Marvels is a success in two different aspects. The first being the extensive history, writer Kurt Busiek, takes on to bring all the right details in Marvel's events and actually make them fit. Be it sheer will or just luck, but he masterfully weaves a pattern that brings justice to Marvel's long abode that the company truly works on continuity and that a small even happening to one of the heroes will eventually affect another some other time. The art is something else. Alex Ross is amazing. Though he's not as crisp as he is in his later works like Kingdom Come, his work on Marvels takes on an evolutionary step in the visual rendition of comic books. The comic medium becomes not just restricted to pencil art, but full fledged painted art. Through it all, you can get a feel that his work gets better with each chapter. Chapter 3 and 4 being the most visually appealing.
Marvels is truly a gem of a work. It was a huge commercial success and racked some numerous awards too. It was interesting to look at the Marvel Universe through the eyes of your average joe. The same concept of the third party spawned the idea of the highly successful Spiderman's Tangled Web. This can only mean the comics are not just interested in stories about their favorite heroes, but also the people in which these heroes can affect their life. It is only through that do people can fully relate to and think that guy could very well be me. Marvels paved the way with a top notch story and over the top art.

For the 1994 mini-series, Marvels, Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, came-up with an idea so brilliant, yet so simple, it is curious why no one thought of it years ago. Marvels presents the Marvel Universe (The fictional world that holds all of characters of Marvel Comics including Spider-man, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, Captain America and more) through the eyes of the common man. Of coarse, to keep the book from being a commonplace tale with some supermen in the background, Mr. Busiek and Mr. Ross needed a protagonist that would have some interaction in the spandex-clad guardians of this world. Enter photojournalist, Phil Sheldon. Despite snapping photos of The Mighty Thor and The Uncanny X-men (and despite his astute introspection) Mr. Sheldon is just your average joe. He is a middle-aged man who commutes to work every morning, plays bridge every weekend, and tucks his daughters in every night. He is also the mouthpiece for the feelings one would expect of a man living in a time of unprecedented spectacles: curiosity, skepticism, awe and a huge hunk of fear. Mr. Busiek obviously undertook massive brainstorming and employed very careful reasoning to construct such a believable, not to mention likable, character with such rational, plausible concerns about an extreme, fantastic world.
If there was ever an artist born for such a project it is Alex Ross. His paintings are clear, crisp and, most of all, convincing. He sacrifices excessive dynamics and flashiness for images that are utterly realistic. Only actual photographs of a shimmering extraterrestrial floating down from the heavens or a man in a red and blue costume swinging from building to building could possibly be a step up from his work. Mr. Ross' stunning artwork greatly enhances the feelings of awe and wonderment of a man looking-up at the sky and seeing human beings airborne.
Throughout the years of overused ideas, disregard for scientific realities and perspectives from behind the mask, the fantastic events of comicbooks lost their majesty. By viewing them from the eyes of someone no more spectacular than me or you, Mr. Busiek and Mr. Ross return that feeling of wonderment and exhilaration one may have felt in 1938 when Superman first flew or in 1941 when Captain America tackled the Axis Powers with just a shield and a side-kick with more lushness, deliberation and proficiency than ever before. Marvels will do nothing less than make a reader forever see the Marvel Universe in a new light.

MARVELS is a neat chronicle of watershed events in the Marvel universe that occur over a period of about fifty years. It's also seen from the perspective of the average, non-superpowered 'man on the street'. It all unfolds from the view of a newspaper photographer, as he witnesses the legendary battle between Namor the Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch, the rise of the X-Men & their battle for equality, the death of Gwen Stacey, the aftermath of the X-Men's first battle with the Hellfire Club, and many more turning points in the Marvel world's history, all from an almost-safe distance.
Alex Ross's photorealistic painted artwork, rather than the pencil-ink-color process that is the norm, gives the book a 'real world' look. It's how the Marvel universe would look like were it shown 'live-action'. MARVELS marks Ross's big break into the comics scene, eventually making him one of the most in-demand talents in the medium today. This book was my first exposure to Ross' efforts, and I've been a big fan of his art ever since.
But there's also Kurt Busiek's story, which shows the man's reactions to the events as an outsider looking in. His story artistry gives you a glimpse, if you were able to, of how you'd experience the world of superheroes.
'Late!

This is an absolute masterpiece. The paintings of Alex Ross are spectacular as he shows the most true to life look of the heros and villians of the Marvel Universe. With such captivating images you just savor every single picture. The most stunning being the appearance of Galactus and the Silver Surfer. An amazing recap of the early days of the Marvel Universe. The Silver Age never looked so good. The story telling was wonderful. As we the reader are giving the sense of awe that is felt by the "normal" citizens of the Marvel Univers as they are forced to see how powerless they are in the face of these champions. Learning to trust their champions and and cheering their triumphs. Busiek and Ross really created a timeless classic. Strong recommendation to anyone.

Marvels tells the story/history of the Marvel universe through the eyes of a photographer, focusing on the effect "Marvels" have on the common man. For example, instead of focusing on the battle between Namor and the original Human Torch, the story focuses on the collateral damage caused to the city and the citizens living in fear. The story follows from the appearance of Marvels like Human Torch and Namor (and did I see Superman in a panel?), to ones like Captain America fighting in WWII, to the FF capturing America's imagination as cultural icons, to fear of mutants, and finally at the uncertainty the new breed of heroes like Spider-Man bring. It's a nice story telling not just the history of the Marvel universe, but the parallels between it and the cultural feelings in real life America. Alex Ross' art actually works well hear, grounding the story in realism, especially with the muted colors that are a far cry from what he is doing these days. The complaint I have is that some of the plot lines aren't followed through. For example, we lose track of the mutant girl that the protagonist tried to help. Seeing as that's not the main thrust of the story, it can be overlooked.

Kurt Busiek, Marvels (Marvel, 2003)

So while all those big superhero battles were going on, what was the rest of the population thinking? Kurt Busiek gives us one answer to that question in Marvels, a story that touches on a large number of the stories battles in the Marvel universe, giving them to us from the perspective of a newspaper photographer-- not a superhero himself, just one of the guys on the street. We get to see the ambivalence of the common folks towards superheroes, which is pretty unusual for the genre (at least in the pre-Watchmen days); that is, of course, the point. If you ever wondered what happened to all the people inside when a big superhero battle took out an office building, this is definitely one to check out. ****

Marvels tells the early history of the Marvel universe throught the eyes of Phil Sheldon, a photographer for the Daily Bugle. Those great classic scenes are rendered well by Busiek's writing and he makes Sheldon a compelling thoughtful observer of the amazing things he sees. The book reaches classic status with art by the amazing Alex Ross whose photorealisitc detail and skill with color makeseach page a painting a lot of effort involved here.Marvels is great superhero comics

This has to be considered the pinnacle of Kurt Busiek's comic work. Magnificently plotted, and then deliciously illustrated by Alex Ross, the chapters follow a news photographer (and his family) through the various eras/storylines of the Marvel Universe, beginning w/its first-ever hero, the Original Human Torch. The chapter concentrating on the X-Men and the "mutant scare" is absolutely brilliant. The plight of the little mutant girl Maggie may even bring a tear to your eye. The chapter that focuses on the first coming of Galactus is a close second. Each page of this TPB is to be savored, as Ross' paintings are simply exquisite.

This narrowly beat out The Dark Knight Returns for that title. There are two things that make this book great. First, it has the best idea for a graphic novel ever: instead of thinking of simply another adventure for a popular character, go back through time to relive ALL of the best adventures of ALL our favorite characters, and depict them as if these things actually happened. Second, and most important, it has the best comic artwork that I have ever seen - it is both beautiful and realistic. Favorite image: The Human Torch fighting with The Sub-Mariner over New York City.

Extraordinary art, meaningful revelations and great if you're a fan of the fantastic four!
For me personally, it was a little hard to read because I'm not necessarily into the FF but, the ending and main character's generally perspective on things was worth it.

MARVELS isn't your typical comic story. Rather than a yarn about vigilantes jumping roof to roof or super-powered champions defending the planet from an otherworldly menace, it's the story of a one-eyed family man/photographer named Phil Sheldon, who happens to live in the Marvel Universe!! Through the eye of everyman Sheldon, we are taken on a trip through Marvel Comics' greatest points of history and their ramifications on the average human being. Book 1 begins in the Golden Age, we witness the blazing birth of the synthetic Human Torch and he grandoise slugfests with the avenging undersea monarch, Namor. We experience the sudden appearance of Captain America putting the kibosh on numerous Nazi plots. Book 2 is about the mania surrounding the most famous wedding of all time - that of Mr. Fantastic to the Invisible Girl, and how anti-mutant paranoia errupts into bloody riots that following night, as Phil learns something about himself and both man and mutantkind. Book 3 shows how the citizens of Earth dealt with the impending apocalypse came with Galactus, and how the Fantastic Four were shockingly treated after defeating the menace. Book 4 is truly the most personal tale, as Sheldon sets out to clear the name of Spider-Man who is persecuted for a murder he didn't commit, as Phil interviews the victims daughter, Gwen Stacy, girlfriend of Peter Parker, who was murdered before the eyes of Sheldon and Parker's alias, Spider-Man. The writing and artwork in MARVELS is so impeccably amazing, that words do it no justice - it is truly the single greatest piece of comics literature because it makes the spectacular so real.

This book will probably only appeal to diehard Marvel comic readers who don't mind a book that is more 'art' rather than a book is 'a book with a very good story as well as very good art.'

In regards to said art, Alex Ross' art is the primary reason to check out this book at least once. In regards to the story and plot, or lack thereof, we basically follow reporter Phil Sheldon from 1939 to the 1970s (?) as he documents life in New York where the natives live in conjunction with superheroes or 'Marvels.' There is a love/hate relationship the mortals have with said Marvels who come off as mysterious, alien, heroic or villainous, and possibly unaware of the damage their battles cause in populated areas.

Since there is no story or plot, Sheldon doesn't go through a hero's journey and he doesn't come up against obstacles that try to detour him from any goal. This book is just to have Sheldon – as the audience proxy – go through a 'whose who' of Marvel heroes and villains. And , Alex Ross does excel in the artistic depictions of said heroes and villains.

Alex Ross uses the likeness of actual celebrities for the heroes: Timothy Dalton as Tony Stark, Russell Johnson as Reed Richards, and Jim Brown as Luke Cage.

While the blonde Gwen Stacey isn't based on any actual celebrities, she is drawn beautifully in her typical miniskirt and knee-high leather boots. She is a character depicted with childlike wonder towards the Marvels before meeting her infamous doom by Green Goblin.

An introduction to the greatness of Alex Ross' style, with Busiek providing more Astro City style commentary. This is the Marvel universe seen through the eyes of your garden variety photojournalist. The point of view character here is just a normal man, trying to get along in this world of giants, gods and monsters. Not to mention mutants and aliens. Also an introduction to the breathtaking painting style of Alex Ross.

Photorealistic art. That would be great enough. Then there's a "everybody in" story, which is always fun, especially if you happened to read the early Marvel comics in their first run. And what's best is... there's a wonderfully mature story in there! Here's a guy who manages to show an army of laughable freakazoids as real characters, however bizarre. The only real revolution in comics after the Watchmen/Dark Knight stunts.

A celebration of the Earth 616 timeline in Comic Books, giving us an alternate view and reaction on a world filled with Superheroes. The writing is superb, drags you in and drowns you in an unbelievable amazing narrative, and Alex Ross's art simply add a touch of historical significance to the story, in every way this Graphic Novels is simplg stunning.

This is the first time that when I finished reading a comic book I thought, "This would make a wonderful movie." This is a story told not from a superhero point of view but from that of a photographer. It highlights some of the major events in Marvel comics history from the original Human Torch to the coming of the X-Men to, my personal favorite, the death of Gwen Stacy. Kurt Busiek has crafted a story that flows so smoothly once you start to read you won't want to quit until it's over and then you'll want to re-read. This is only highlighted by the dazzling art of Alex Ross who realistic style meshes together so well with the story. If you're a fan of Marvel comics or a good story, this is the book for you.

Ross does a great job on the art, unforunetly Kingdom Come's is twice as good. Busiek's script is wonderfully crafted, yet second to some of his Astro City work. The end result is a great tale, probably the best Marvel work of all time, but if you don't already have Kingdom Come and Astro City: Life in the Big City, you have no buisness buying this. Get those first, and then consider Marvels.

Hello, Dolly! I am a major fan of Marvel Comics, and I've seen just about everything they've ever put out. But this made my jaw drop! First of all, Busiek's story about a photographer witnessing the cosmic events of the Marvel Universe is pure genius. Second, the story seems to flow from book to book, which, in my opinion, is very important. And last, but certainly not least, Alex Ross did the art! The best painter in comics today (voted by fans, creators, and critics alike) did the art! I've seen the best of the best in comic book art, but Ross takes the cake and eats it too. Simply put: this is one of the best that Marvel (or any other publisher, for that matter) has to offer!

This is the first time that when I finished reading a comic book I thought, "This would make a wonderful movie." This is a story told not from a superhero point of view but from that of a photographer. It highlights some of the major events in Marvel comics history from the original Human Torch to the coming of the X-Men to, my personal favorite, the death of Gwen Stacy. Kurt Busiek has crafted a story that flows so smoothly once you start to read you won't want to quit until it's over and then you'll want to re-read. This is only highlighted by the dazzling art of Alex Ross who realistic style meshes together so well with the story. If you're a fan of Marvel comics or a good story, this is the book for you.

Ross does a great job on the art, unforunetly Kingdom Come's is twice as good. Busiek's script is wonderfully crafted, yet second to some of his Astro City work. The end result is a great tale, probably the best Marvel work of all time, but if you don't already have Kingdom Come and Astro City: Life in the Big City, you have no buisness buying this. Get those first, and then consider Marvels.

Hello, Dolly! I am a major fan of Marvel Comics, and I've seen just about everything they've ever put out. But this made my jaw drop! First of all, Busiek's story about a photographer witnessing the cosmic events of the Marvel Universe is pure genius. Second, the story seems to flow from book to book, which, in my opinion, is very important. And last, but certainly not least, Alex Ross did the art! The best painter in comics today (voted by fans, creators, and critics alike) did the art! I've seen the best of the best in comic book art, but Ross takes the cake and eats it too. Simply put: this is one of the best that Marvel (or any other publisher, for that matter) has to offer!

Marvels offers a look at the greatest moments in the Marvel comics universe but for the first time from the perspective of the common citizen. It features the hatred and contempt that the ordinary people feel toward something different then themselves and applies it towards superheroes instead of people of different genders or races. When matched with beautiful artwork the interesting perspective is very enjoyable.

This returned me to the genre after nearly fifteen years away from it--after a long period when comics became far too dark and violent, Busiek and Ross reminded us of the thrill of hero-worship, and the original excitement of the Marvel line in the Sixties. Ross's photo-realistic illustrations make you feel as if the stories really took place, and he's got a lovely sense of drama and excitement--look at the New Yorkers' thrilled faces when Captain America jumps over their heads, or Sue Storm's enthralled expression when Reed Richards announces their engagement to the press. And Busiek is the best writer in the business--he has a wonderful sense of pace and rhythm, and the famous scene which closes the third book, "Day of Judgement," is masterfully done.
An added bonus: see if you can tell who's who both among the guests at Alicia Masters' sculpture exhibition and at the wedding of Reed and Sue--I found surprise after surprise!

Alex Ross has NEVER been short of being impressive in all his works. The artwork is just breathtaking and best in its class. Patience and passion are also shown through the pages of Marvels. Alex Ross is the greatest illustrator, bar none.
However, the story of Marvels could not make this a great book. It's a frustrating summary told in a common man's perspective. I believe some would think highly of it's literature value; but for me, it fails to inspire. Nevertheless, it's great to tell superheroes stories from a different perspective, but I swear this could be better.
I highly recommend Kingdom Come, if you want great work by Alex Ross, and a good story.

This one has the Marvel Universe from a photographers point of view. It's quite a treat to look at all our favorites painted in photo realism. This one is worth reapeated viewings. It's one of those graphic novels that can be read several times like the Dark Knight and still be enjoyed.

Fantastic format completely ruined by page layout design. Every page has the additional white frame with book numer and MARVELS logo. Every one page! It looks busy and AWFUL. I don't know whos idea was that but he should be immediately fired for such crime. Lots of additional materials and large Alex Ross gallery (one again, ruined by page layout). Seems like a waste of effort, really, because it could've been really EPIC book :( Now it feels more like a huge making of book.

This book was a great representation of the Marvel superheroes coming from just your average Joe, in this case a reporter with no super powers at all. Alex Ross's realistic artwork is not penciled and inked, but is painted, which gives the perfect graphic novel picture-perfect paintings to go with a fabulous graphic novel. Also, Kurt Busiek's story adds on to the great artwork, making this a must-read. Keep up the great work,Marvel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Alex Ross' artwork, as always is stunning. Busiek's writing on the other hand, is so bad I avoided anything he wrote like the plague until Thunderbolts. The plot barly exists and this is really an excuse for Ross to paint some great scenes from Marvel's past.

I think the art by Ross is exceptional. However, I think this book is mainly for the fans of the conerstone characters of Marvel Entertainment. For me, my childhood flashed before my eyes. All Marvel comics fans will get a lot pleasure out of this book.

I really enjoyed reading Marvels. The art was superb and the writing was extraordinary. However, I have to complain about the way some copies (at least the paperbound version) of the book are binded.
The bottom part of my book was not glued on so well that even after gingerly reading it, parts of the book where it met with the cover got split apart. I tried crazygluing it together carefully but this did not stop the pages from coming apart. Worse, the crazyglue made things worse as it stuck valuable pages together in undesirable ways. (Moral of the story: no matter how tempted you are, don't crazyglue your books)
But still, Marvels is so good that I'm willing to buy another good copy of it, provided the binding is right this time. However, I looked at a copy at one store and noticed that it also has weak binding in the same spot. This led me to conclude that there is a whole batch of Marvels out there with really weak binding.
I hope one day they reprint this and that when that time comes, they get the binding right.
This is so sad because not only the book relatively expensive but it is now also a rare, hard-to-find commodity in stores and on the store.com. This is really a beatiful book, but too bad one small thing such as its binding made my copy suck.
Write in if you have the same problem.

This book was not worth reading. While it starts out with the 'birth' of the human torch, soon many random superheros and super villains are incorporated within the book. There's lots of action, but the reader doesn't really care who wins or who loses, since other than the torch and the protagonist (a photographer) there is absolutely no characterization! Obviously the author is trying to pack in as many superheros/supervillains into one book as he can. There's almost nothing to keep you turning the pages in this book and i am surprised i even finished it. I recommend sticking with a book that focuses on just one hero (or one group of heros, such as with the X-Men). Don't waste your time reading this book with no plot or characterization.
Idea to fellow female readers: Check out "Merridian" instead. It is way cool.
To female and male readers: pick up an ordinary comic book or a good graphic novel like Galaxy Express 999.