#IReadsYou Review: MIRACLEMAN #1 (Eclipse Comics)

MIRACLEMAN #1
ECLIPSE COMICS

STORY: Alan Moore
PENCILS: Alan Davis; Garry Leach
INKS: Garry Leach
COLORS: Ron Courtney
LETTERS: Garry Leach; G. George
EDITORS: Dez Skinn and catherine yronwode
COVER: Alan Davis and Garry Leach
32pp, Color, .75¢ U.S., $1.00 CAN, 50p U.K. (August 1985)

Book One: Chapters 1 to 4

Marvelman created by Mick Anglo

Marvelman is a British superhero character created in 1954 by writer-artist Mick Anglo for British publisher, L. Miller & Son.  The character was originally created as a substitute for the American character, Captain Marvel (Fawcett Comics), in the U.K.  Marvelman comic books were published until 1963, but the character was revived in 1982 by writer Alan Moore, who offered a darker, post-modern take on the character.

In March 1982, Warrior, a British monthly, black-and-white anthology comics magazine, was launched by editor and publisher Dez Skinn, who also decided to revive Marvelman.  Warrior published the new and darker version of Marvelman, written by Alan Moore and initially illustrated by Garry Leach and later by Alan Davis, beginning in Warrior #1 (cover dated: March 1982).  In August 1985, Eclipse Comics began reprinting the Marvelman stories from Warrior (in color) in a comic book entitled, “Miracleman” (to avoid legal problems with Marvel Comics).

Miracleman #1 is comprised of four chapters.  The opening chapter, “Prologue: 1956 – The Invaders from the Future,” looks like a vintage, 1950s Mick Anglo Marvelman story.  Miracleman and his young compatriots, Young Miracleman and Kid Miracleman, take on an invasion from the future year of 1981.  The invaders, led by Kommandant Garrer and his “Atomic Storm Troopers,” want to conquer the world of yesterday.  Ultimately, the heroes defeat Garrer and his “Science Gestapo,” but perhaps, this adventure is merely

“…A Dream of Flying.” is the next chapter.  It opens in Great Britain in 1982 and introduces Michael Moran, a 41-year-old freelance journalist, who has been having a bad time lately.  The strange dreams that have plagued him for years are worse, and he suffers from migraine headaches.  If only he could remember “the damn word” that is at the edge of his dreams/nightmares.

Moran travels to Larksmere for the opening of a nuclear power plant, and that is where it all changes.  Miracleman is back!  Mike Moran will have a great story to tell his wife of 16 years, Liz Sullivan, but will she believe it?  Can Mike believe it?  And does anyone else share that story?

THE LOWDOWN:  As some of you already know, Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1-6 reprinted all the Marvelman content from Warrior magazine.  Then, Eclipse began publishing new Miracleman stories written by Alan Moore and drawn initially by artist Chuck Beckum and later by Rick Veitch and then John Totleben.  Moore wrote the series until issue #16; Neil Gaiman took over with issue #17.  Gaiman continued to write the series, but Miracleman ceased publication with issue #24 when Eclipse closed due to financial difficulties.

Marvel Comics obtained the rights to the character Marvelman and brought Eclipse Comics’ Miracleman series back into print.  Marvel reprinted each issue of Alan Moore's Miracleman as a special edition with “extras.”  Marvel did the same with the Eclipse issues of Neil Gaiman and artist Mark Buckingham's Miracleman, and recently began publishing Gaiman-Buckingham's long-awaited conclusion to their Miracleman arc.

When I read Marvel's Miracleman #1 (cover dated: March 2014), it was the first time in well over a quarter-century since I had read Eclipse's Miracleman #1.  It had been so many years (so so so many) that I didn't remember exactly what I thought about the Eclipse debut.  I know that I really liked it, but my memory is telling me (or lying to me) that I liked Eclipse's series even more as it progressed.  I enjoyed reading the Marvel first issue, but that time, I was not overly impressed with Alan Moore’s story, although I did like it.  I imagine that once upon a time, I was more in awe of Miracleman #1.  After all, it was like nothing I had read up to that point in 1985.

Recently (October 2022), I read the Eclipse Miracleman #1 again, and for whatever reason, I am suddenly impressed again.  I like Moore's measured pace, as he focuses on establishing Mike Moran's life and situation and also providing a glimpse into the relationship between Mike and his wife, Liz.  Moore is patient even in that last chapter, which ends with the explosive reveal of Kid Miracleman.  I think Moore was patient because he was building something entirely new.  His modernization of Marvelman for all practical purposes had no relation to the original 1950s-60s comic book.

I am always impressed by the fantastic art of the late Garry Leach (1954-2022).  His delicate line is meshed into lush brushwork on the inking.  Supple forms and advanced draftsmanship yield impressive compositions.  Did Leach know that he was only drawing a comic book?  Seriously, he put his heart and talent into this story, and the result is a moody, atmospheric story.  Each panel is packed with what feels like a surge of energy that wants to break the borders of the panels.

Maybe, something in me is put off by Marvel Comics' Miracleman, but that something seems to embrace Eclipse Comics' Miracleman.  I've obtained a few more issues of the Eclipse run, so I'll find out for sure.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Alan Moore, Garry Leach, Dez Skinn, Marvelman, Miracleman, and Eclipse Comics will want to read the Eclipse run of Miracleman.

A
★★★★+ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MIRACLEMAN by Gaiman & Buckingham #1

MIRACLEMAN BY GAIMAN & BUCKINGHAM No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
ART: Mark Buckingham
COLOR: D'israeli
LETTERS: Todd Klein
MISC. ART: Mark Buckingham
COVER: Mark Buckingham
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2015)

Miracleman created by Mick Angelo

Rated Mature

Miracleman Book Four: The Golden Age:  “Prologue,” “A Prayer and Hope,” and “Retrieval” – Part 1

Marvelman was a British superhero character created in 1954 by writer-artist Mick Anglo for British publisher, L. Miller & Son.  The character was originally created as a substitute for the American character, Captain Marvel (Fawcett Comics), in the U.K.  Marvelman comic books were published until 1963, but the character was revived in 1982 by writer Alan Moore.  In the pages of Warrior, a British monthly, black-and-white, anthology comics magazine, Moore offered a darker, post-modern take on the character.

In August 1985, Eclipse Comics began reprinting the Marvelman stories from Warrior (in color) in a comic book entitled, “Miracleman” (to avoid legal problems with Marvel Comics).  Miracleman issues #1-6 reprinted all the Warrior content.  Starting with Miracleman #7, the series presented new Miracleman stories written by Alan Moore.  Moore wrote the series until issue #16.  Then, Neil Gaiman, who was then becoming famous for his work on The Sandman comic book series (DC Comics), took over with issue #17.  Gaiman continued to write the series, but Miracleman ceased publication with issue #24 when Eclipse closed due to financial difficulties.

After obtaining the rights to Marvelman, Marvel Comics brought Eclipse Comics’ Miracleman series back into print.  The recently launched Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham begins the reprinting of Miracleman stories by Neil Gaiman and artist Mark Buckingham.  Gaiman will also apparently be able to complete his Miracleman arc left unfinished over two decades ago.

Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham #1 opens in 1987.  It is “The Golden Age.”  It is a new world, one that is free of war, of famine, and of poverty.  Olympus, the pyramid of Miracleman, towers above London, and it can be seen from orbit above the Earth, piercing the clouds.  The narrator, a man, joins three pilgrims on a climb to the summit where they will pray and each seek a miracle from Miracleman.  Not all of them will survive this arduous, impossible journey.

Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham #1 reprints the contents of Miracleman #17 (cover dated: June 1990), which was originally published by Eclipse Comics.  I think that I may have read this issue, or at least, I bought it.  At some some point, I gave up on Neil Gaiman's take on Miracleman, which was so different from Alan Moore's Miracleman, which I so dearly loved... at the time.

Reading the early issues of Marvel Comics' reprinting of Moore's run on this series, I found that it did not mean as much to me now, as it did when I first read it.  However, I am quite impressed with these first three chapters of Gaiman's Miracleman.  Gaiman's story is introspective and imaginative.  Mark Buckingham's art and graphical storytelling is constantly shifting in tone, breathing even more life into Gaiman's lively story.

Now, I definitely want to read more and to rediscover and to discover Gaiman and Buckingham's Miracleman.

[This comic book includes script excerpts by Neil Gaiman and original art reproductions by Mark Buckingham.]

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: DNAgents #1

DNAGENTS No. 1
ECLIPSE COMICS

[This review first appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Evanier
PENCILS: Will Meugniot
INKS: Al Gordon
COLORS: Janice Cohen
LETTERS: Carrie McCarthy
COVER: Will Meugniot and Al Gordon
32pp, Color, $1.50 U.S., $1.75 CAN (March 1983)

DNAgents was a comic book series created by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot.  For most of its run, DNAgents was published by Eclipse Comics, beginning in 1983 with the first issue.  DNAgents follows a team of superheroes comprised of a five young people that were created by a corporation using genetic engineering.

DNAgents #1 (“Born Orphans”) opens in the bowels of the Matrix Corporation.  There, we meet five individuals who are not quite people and are not human.  They began as “hundreds of beakers of chemicals waiting to interact.”

When they are freed from their stasis chambers, we are introduced to a new team of superheroes, who have code names instead of birth names.  Rainbow is a young woman who is a powerful telepath and an illusionist.  Amber projects disks of electromagnetic energy that she can use as shields and weapons, or as platforms upon which she can fly.  The beefy Tank is super-strong and wears heavy body armor to regulate and augment his strength.  A conceited young man, Surge can fire blasts of lighting.  A little guy, Sham is a shapeshifter with training as a commando.

The DNAgents are immediately sent on a mission, but things are not as the youngsters are told they would be.  Can they survive in a world that they only know by the information their corporate overseers programmed into them?

It has been ages since I read DNAgents, but for some reason, the series never left my memory.  I have always remembered it fondly, so during a Mile High Comics sale, I bought a copy of DNAgents #1.  I promptly lost track of the comic book, and when I found it, I decided to read it... and to write a short review of it.

DNAgents #1 is a comic book of its time.  It's quasi-science slash fictional science is not presented in a complex or detailed manner.  Writer Mark Evanier focuses on creating the dynamics of a team and on the relationships within the team and on their relationships with other people.  Evanier (pronounced Ev-a-near) emphasizes character relationships, as he also delves into the politics within the Matrix Corporation.  Evanier's script offers plenty of action, but also has a wry sense of humor.  It would not be a stretch to say that Evanier uses Chris Claremont's storytelling on Uncanny X-Men as a template.

Artist Will Meugniot (pronounced Mineo) is good at storytelling, and his page layouts are imaginative, tending towards dynamism.  His art is not highly polished, and is somewhat awkward, in the way one might expect of an artist that has not illustrated many comic books.  There are, however, many moments when Meugniot shows that he has strong drawing skills.

Looking over DNAgents #1 before I read it, I did not think that I would read more than this first issue.  Now, that I have read it, I want to read at least a few more issues.  I also think that this series has potential.  There are a number of writers currently working in comic books that can reboot, re-imagine, or even restart DNAgents in new and interesting ways.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: Marvel's MIRACLEMAN #1

MIRACLEMAN #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

STORY: The Original Writer (Alan Moore)
ART: Garry Leach
COLOR: Steve Oliff
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Joe Quesada with Richard Isanove
64pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (March 2014)

Miracleman Book One: A Dream of Flying

Prologue by Mick Anglo (plot) and Don Lawrence (art)

Essay “Kimota! The Secret Origin of Mick Anglo’s Marvelman” by Mike Conroy

Marvelman is a British superhero character created in 1954 by writer-artist Mick Anglo for British publisher, L. Miller & Son.  The character was originally created as a substitute for the American character, Captain Marvel (Fawcett Comics), in the U.K.  Marvelman comic books were published until 1963, but the character was revived in 1982 by writer Alan Moore, who offered a darker, post-modern take on the character.  Author Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) wrote the series after Moore.

In March 1982, Warrior, a British monthly, black-and-white anthology comics magazine, was launched by editor and publisher Dez Skinn, who decided to revive Marvelman.  Warrior published the new and darker version of Marvelman, written by Alan Moore and initially illustrated by Garry Leach and later by Alan Davis.  In August 1985, Eclipse Comics began reprinting the Marvelman stories from Warrior (in color) in a comic book entitled, “Miracleman” (to avoid legal problems with Marvel Comics).

Miracleman issues #1-6 reprinted all the Warrior content, and then, Eclipse began publishing new Miracleman stories written by Alan Moore and drawn initially by artist Chuck Beckum and later by Rick Veitch and then John Totleben.  Moore wrote the series until issue #16; Neil Gaiman took over with issue #17.  Gaiman continued to write the series, but Miracleman ceased publication with issue #24 when Eclipse closed due to financial difficulties.

Now, Marvel Comics is bringing Eclipse Comics’ Miracleman series back into print, but in a special edition with extras.  This reprint also means that Neil Gaiman will get to finally finish his Miracleman story arc, more than two decades after it began.

Miracleman #1 begins with a reprint of an old Mick Anglo story, entitled for this story as “Prologue: 1956 – The Invaders from the Future.”  The main body of the story, “…A Dream of Flying.” opens in Great Britain in 1982.  It introduces Michael Moran, a 41-year-old freelance journalist, who has been having a bad time lately.  The strange dreams that have plagued him for years are worse, and he suffers from migraine headaches.  If only he could remember “the damn word” that is at the edge of his dreams/nightmares.

Moran travels to Larksmere for the opening of a nuclear power plant, and that’s where it all changes.  Later, Mike Moran will have a great story to tell his wife of 16 years, Liz Sullivan, but will she believe it?  Can Mike believe it?

It has been so many years (so so so many) since I first read the Miracleman #1 published by Eclipse Comics that I don’t remember exactly what I thought about it.  I know that I really liked it, but my memory is telling me (or lying to me) that I liked this series even more as it progressed.  Reading this #1 issue again, now, I enjoyed it, but I’m not overly impressed with Alan Moore’s story, although I do like it.  I get the feeling that once upon a time, I was more in awe of Miracleman #1.  After all, it was like nothing I had read up to that point.  Like I said, I think I liked Miracleman more in the later issues.

What impresses me now is the fantastic art by Garry Leach.  A delicate line is meshed into intricate line work.  Supple forms and advanced draftsmanship yield impressive compositions.  Did Leach know that he was just drawing a comic book?  I gotta find more Garry Leach.

Extras in this new Miracleman include an essay and an interview.  Mike Conroy’s two-page essay, “Kimota! The Secret Origin of Mick Anglo’s Marvelman,” is a quickie piece on Marvelman’s origins.  “Mick on Mick,” Joe Quesada’s interview of Marvelman creator, Mick Anglo, is short, but gives a nice look at Anglo as a bit of a rascal.

There are also reprints of three black and white stories taken from Marvelman #25 (February 3, 1954) and #32 (March 24, 1954).  The best of the extras is a six-page section that offers examples of Garry Leach’s original art, sketches, and developmental art for Marvelman, including his logo for Miracleman.  Once again, Leach makes Miracleman #1 worth having.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.