Perhaps one of the biggest arguments for people NOT
getting into comic books isn’t that it’s nerdy but that there isn’t a great
place to just jump in. Unless a comic book publisher does an across-the-board
reboot of all of its titles, there can be quite a bit of back story that makes
it hard for new readers. DC has attempted reboots about every 6-15 years since
1985, thought only Crisis and New 52 really changed everything. As for Marvel,
there really hasn’t been a ‘reboot’ unless you count the beginning of the
Marvel Age of Comics in 1963-64. So, what is an up-and-coming comic book
enthusiast to do when there’s not really a good jumping off point?
Marvel had a brilliant idea in 2011 to create the
Marvel Point One project. The idea behind these books were to create those
needed ‘starting points’ for those interested in getting into comics while
still crafting an interesting story for established readers. These books
weren’t reboots and they didn’t retell the origins of the heroes. What they did
were created a well-rounded picture of the heroes or teams featured in the
comics (with a possible blurb about their origin) in order to catch up readers
as to what’s been going on in the Marvel universe. Even those who’ve maybe
taken a break from comics and want to jump back into the pool could benefit.
I have to admit you can’t really just read one book
and get caught up on everything that’s going on in the Marvel Universe.
Thankfully, the Point One books have been collected into 2 volumes. These collections
help to provide a mosaic of interweaving plotlines and title-spanning
relationships that can be quite maddening, even for an experience comic book
reader like me. With exception of Marvel NOW! and the New 52 Batman titles, the
past 5 years of comic book history is my weakest area of expertise. (It’s
mostly because you don’t find a lot of modern books in dollar bins or on sale
unless you really look.) ((And it helps when your library brings in new titles
to read every month as they’ve been doing for the past year.)) But, thanks to
this volume, I’ve got a better overview of the Modern Marvel Universe.
I’ve only
found this first volume so far. But you can believe that I am on the lookout
for volume 2. I expect to be even more informed when I find it.
Point One is the beginning of Marvel’s latest dominance
in the medium. They’ve continued this genius with their Marvel NOW! titles,
which seek to bring the comics more in line with the movies. Marvel’s even
benefitted from this experiment in bringing about new readers. Thanks to the
use of Deadpool in several Point One titles, as well as a hilarious romp versus
the Wrecker in the pages of his own title, I am now a fan of Wade Wilson and
have added his books to my wish list.
Well done Marvel and Joe Quesada. You’ve almost made
up for killing Captain America and replacing half of the Fantastic Four with
imitators. Almost.
Worth Consuming.
Rating: (out
of 10)
- Amazing Spider-Man (1999-2014) #654.1= 10
- Avengers (2010-2012) #12.1 =9
- Captain America (2005-2011) #615.1= 9
- Deadpool (2008-2012) #33.1 =10
- Hulk (2008-2012) #30.1 =9
- Invincible Iron Man (2008-2012) #500.1= 10
- Secret Avengers (2010-2013) #12.1= 8
- Thor (2007-2011) #620.1 =9
- Uncanny X-Force (2010-2012) #5.1= 7
- Uncanny X-Men (1963-2011) #534.1= 9
- Wolverine (2010-2012) #5.1= 10
Total rating: 9.1
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