Spider-man 1602, #5

The conclusion of Spider-man 1602 pits Peter Parquagh against a mutated Count Octavius, now a giant human-octopus hybrid.  Parquagh is grossly outmatched as he must run a gambit against several foes at one time, while freeing his lady love, and hopefully redeeming Dr. Pym, who’s been blackmailed into working for Octavius least his wife, Jane, now shrunk into a teeny size and encapsulated in a fragile bell jar.

The ending was fantastic and bitter sweet. Technically, this will probably be my last foray into the 1602 world. Though the Fantastic Four 1602 mini-series came after this issue (in terms of order, not publication date), reading Spider-man 1602 completes my journey through that alternate earth. It’s been about 5 years since this series was published and with the new Marvel Now! Initiative to make the books more like the films, we probably won’t ever get another 1602 book. That’s a real shame as I love this series and the last few pages set up a possible Avengers 1602 storyline.

So, listen up Marvel: somebody out there still loves Marvel 1602. Please bring it back for another adventure. You’ve done a fantastic job of creating a unique mosaic of alternate versions of our favorite Marvel characters. I’ve yet to feel like I was reading any of the classic Marvel comics just set in medieval times. Each established Marvel character’s background and life story in the 1602 world is different than what Stan and Jack wrote up in 1963. 1602 is so fresh unlike some of DC’s Elseworlds books which for example, have the tendency to retell the Superman origin over and over, just in a different country or time period.

So, until DC comes out with its line of DC: 1776 books make mine Marvel: 1602.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Spider-man 1602, #4

Peter Parquagh has danger pursuing him from both sides. Ahead of him, the pirate assassin, Bullseye is seeking revenge for the damage done to his master’s ship. Behind him, the diabolical Norman Osborne has teamed with Count Octavius in hopes of curing each of their gruesome maladies but using Peter as a guinea pig. In hopes of luring the Spider-man of 1602, the charming lady Mary-Jane has been kidnapped by a giant lizard named Connors. Now, Parquagh must choose: the chance to escape scott-free or to save the woman he loves. I think you know what choice he’ll make.

This issue is another fantastic chapter in the Marvel 1602 style. It’s as good as the last chapter, but it lacking that “oomph” that I just adored in issue #2. It’s probably the fact that that issue took place on a boat. I love boats. Why more comics don’t take place on boats and other seafaring vessels is beyond me.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Spider-man 1602, #3

 

Having arrived in England and earning his former captain’s trust during a trying pirate encounter at sea, Pater Parquagh is tasked with delivering some important items to a count in Italy. There’s some problems with this assignment as the items in question are dinosaur eggs from the New World which is considered contraband in Europe. And the count’s name is Octavius.

   When the count and his chief scientist, one Dr. Pym, determine that Peter possesses some amazing abilities, the duo seek to use the lad for medical experiments. Once again, this medieval Spider-man has another target on his back. But the lad is blissfully ignorant as his eye has caught the approval of a band of travelling performers- one of which has long flowing fiery red hair.

Tiger- I think ye just hit the jackpot!

   Another great chapter in the 1602 saga. It’s not as good as the last issue. But it continues to capture the essence of this alternate universe quite well and with much quality in storytelling and art.

  Worth Consuming.
                                                            Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

Spider-man 1602, #2

 

 Tragedy has struck the Jamestown colony. Of course, it’s Norman Osborne who’s the instigator, this time trying to wipe out a neighbor tribe of Native Americans. Not only that, he’s responsible for the death of an important resident of the settlement. However, since the Jamestown colony prohibits the death penalty, Osborne must be extradited back to England for his criminal punishment. To see that Osborne pays for his misdeeds and doesn’t buy his way to freedom, Gov. Dare asks Peter Parquagh to oversee the prisoners travels.

 

Thus, Peter begins a month’s long voyage abroad. Not wanting to seek favored treatment, he eagerly jumps the chance to prove himself as an able deckhand. But when the ship is stilled thanks to a lack of trade wind, the diabolical Osborne is using his forked tongue to turn the crew against the lad.

 

With the crew ready to toss Parquagh off the ship, the colonial Spider-man is saved by passing pirate ship looking to raid the stilled chip. Enter the Kingpin and his expert marksman first mate, Bullseye. What happens next will put a target on Peter’s back and change Norman Osborne’s appearance in such a way, that he’ll finally earn his moniker, the Goblin.

 

An exciting second act. I love boats and this issue read like a colonial deck hand’s private journals. The swashbuckling action and scurvy morals made this one of my favorite 1602 tales of all-time. Why, it might just rank in my top 25. It’s that good.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars (though, if my scale were higher, I’d give it more.)

 

 

Spider-man 1602 #1

 

We return to the world of 1602 in which young Peter Parquagh is enjoying an apprenticeship with Jamestown’s first newspaper while spending every waking moment with his lady-fair, Virginia Dare. All seems to be fairing quite well in the New World until a decision is made to allow Norman Osborn to act as Lt. Governor of the young colony.

 

With this appointment comes a strange ship bearing an unspeakable disease and trouble is brewing for the native tribesmen who neighbor Jamestown. When Peter and Virginia uncover Osborn’s plot to use biological warfare in the form on small pox infected blankets, it’s a race against time to warn Governor Dare and safe the Natives from destruction.

 

The art and story is quite good. I’m not 100% sure where this story is going. But that’s not a bad thing as sometimes mini-series need a framing chapter to introduce the players and built excitement for the second act. That’s exactly what has happened here with issue #1. I am stoked to read issue #2 immediately.

 

(note: When I read 1602: Fantastick Four, I questioned as to whether that mini took place before or after Spider-man 1602. Well, thanks to comments made by Peter, I now know that the order of the 1602 books are as follows:

 

1602, 1602: the New World, Spider-man 1602, and finally 1602: Fantastick Four.

 

As far as I know, I haven’t missed anything reading the last two mini-series out of order. But I will let you know if that changes.)

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #5

It’s the final battle between Reed Richards and Von Doom with Atlantis stuck in the middle. The battle is epic and with some awesome cameos at the end, it’s leaves the reader with an unsettling conclusion and a mind-blowing opening for a sequel. Though, it’s been several years since this book was published, so I highly doubt that will ever happen.

 

The thing about this book I hate the most is the cover. Reed looks like he’s mutating into a cross between that pointy Spider-man villain Stryke and Man-Bat. It’s pretty gross looking.

 

With awesome art, a Fantastic storyline, and a careful eye for detail, especially in regards to trying to be as historically accurate as possible, it’s a must for fans of Fantastic Four or alternate timelines. It’s a very good read.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #4



Alternate Cover to issue #4.

The uneasy alliance of the crew of the Fantastic, the Frightful Four, and Doom continues as all awaken to find that they have survived their plunge off the edge of the world. As a result, the characters find themselves in Atlantis, which in this reality, hasn’t sunk, only shrouded itself with some fancy “smoke and mirrors” to keep away nosy sailors. In other words, the world is round, but the residents of Atlantis have crafted the clever rouse of a flat earth in order to protect themselves from invaders.

The leader of Atlantis is you guessed it, Prince Namor- the Sub-Mariner. He’s got eyes for Sue Storm, whose recent burst of protective powers of the Fantastick has now made her the Visible Woman. Apparently, the Storm family in the 1600s is really hot, as Namor’s cousin Namorita has eyes for Jon Storm as well.

Once these Atlanteans have made their wanton intentions known, the diabolical Doom works in the shadows to bring an end to Reed Richards. In return for the betrothals of the Storms, the residents of Atlantis will destroy Richards, Grimm, and their ship. It’s classic Victor Von Doom callousness. Strangely, I like it. Though, Sue Storm mustn’t be showing very well, because I find it hard to believe that Namor would be so interested in her if he knew she’d been knocked up by a human (in this timeline, Richards and Storm are having their child out of wedlock, something I highly doubt Stan Lee would’ve allowed in the 1960s even if the Comics Code didn’t exist.)

I enjoyed this issue. I really thought the subterfuge behind the protection of Atlantis and sailors’ thinking they would sail off the edge of the world was a stroke of genius. I’m very interested in reading what happens next, though I must say, this was probably the weakest of the issues in the series thus far.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #3

 

Facing the peril of falling off the face of the earth, the crew of the Fantastick, the Frightful Four, and Doom must form a temporary alliance. You know it’s not going to last once doom finds an angle to bend things to his advantage.

 

This is why I hate Victor Von Doom. He’s such a sleaze ball. But, this book does an excellent job portraying that. Thankfully, Reed Richards as well as the rest of his crew knows not to trust Doom any more than necessary.

 

A very good middle chapter. Why this series is 5 issues long and not 4 is beyond me. I think it should be a requirement that if your comics’ title has a number in it, that any mini-series should have no more or no less than that number of issues in it. Thus any Fantastic Four mini should only have 4 issues. But hey, that’s just me.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #2

 

In this issue Doctor Doom reveals his plan to William Shakespeare, the crew of the Fantastick reunite in order to free the Bard from the clutches of the dastardly metal clad villain, and the end of the world is discovered and guess what? The world IS flat! Along the way, a castaway is discovered, the origins of the Frightful Four are revealed, and Jon Storm probably is going to be jailed for kidnapping should the Fantastick survive their epic voyage.

 

Just as the first issue was filled with great art and a terrific storyline, this issue continues to thrill. I am very happy with this series. It captures the quality of 1602 and is slightly better than its sequel (thus far.) A great read for fans of alternate history and timelines or the Fantastic Four.

 

Worth Consuming

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #1

 

This mini-series takes place after the events of 1602 and its sequel 1602: The New World. Whether this all takes place before, during, or after Spider-man 1602 is beyond me. I’ve not read that series yet even though it’s a part of my collection.  

 

In this opening act the crews of the explorer ship Fantastick have gone their separate ways. Reed Richards and his lady fair, Susan are living in a cottage awaiting the birth of their first child. Jon Storm has become a drunk while Mr. Grimm has joined the acting troupe of the Bard, William Shakespeare, acting under heavy make-up. But when Victor Von Doom sends an aerial army to kidnap the acclaimed playwright, the estranged friends must re-team to both save the day and end Doom’s reign of tyranny once and for all.

 

I’ve really enjoyed this first issue. The Frightful Four are introduced into the 1602 universe as are a host of minor characters that pepper the Big Apple in the pages of Marvel Comics. I’ve never seen Reed Richards so focused and ready to take down Doom. It’s as if the fear that Doom will never stop hunting the Fantastick Four and thus Reed’s unborn child is endangered as well. It’s a shame he never acting like this when the Invisible Woman was pregnant with Franklin in the 70s.

 

I kinda like this vengeful Mr. Fantastick.

 

With some fantastic art and a very entertaining first chapter, I am very much looking forward to the rest of this series. I hope I will not be disappointed.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.