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Started a read of Marvel Saga: the Official History of the Marvel Universe. Always loved the premise behind this but never finished reading (or the new one!). This might become podcasts later but I wanted to drop here to add visuals. Let’s go cause I got comments/questions!
First 5 pages were created new for issue 1. Moves quickly from the Big Bang thru to the birth of the Fantastic 4. Has the story been told about how the Elders of the Universe came to be? This bit about their ‘various races’. I’d love to read that. Game of Thrones in space!
I never picked up as a kid that Valusia is (I think) referencing the King Kull stories! The next panel shows Conan & Red Sonja - but this city name drop for Kull never registered for me before.
Pages 4 & 5 show all the various characters as they await the birth of the new Marvel Age. Seeing the way the military is constantly present reminds me of the two issue 1998 Conspiracy mini that connects all the origins as being planned! Check that story out. It’s a lot of fun.
Even later on in the issue - during the origin of Dept H/Alpha Flight - the American military is present as James Hudson creates his tech for the future Weapon Alpha/Vindicator/Guardian suit.
Gormuu! Byrne’s insert into the origins of the F4 from issue 271 (as told in the style of Lee & Kirby). Reed’s impulse for space travel as a means of defending Earth from future aliens feels a little like MCU Tony Stark’s desire to create an ‘armor around the world’.
I’m struck how the Thing’s aggressive behavior reflects an almost Hulk-like attitude in these early depictions. And what’s with his desire for Sue? Is that still a thing?
This has been stated many times - but it is ballsy for Reed to name himself Mister Fantastic just because he can stretch. Hilarious. Also, the F4 are based in Central City in this early story? Where’s the Flash?!
Marvel’s Earth is apparently riddled with tunnels. Anyone ever use that concept outside of a Mole Man story? How soon before they collapse or - like DC’s future in the Legion - be used for travel?
Back to James Hudson, Heather - his future wife - met while she was a teen. Byrne did that with Sue/Reed as well. I can think of other pairings as well along those lines. That’s messed up.
Ahhhh back to simpler days when Wolverine’s origin wasn’t as convoluted. How much of his connection to Dept H is still valid these days? If I recall, later continuity will have the Hudson’s find Logan after the Weapon X story (which hadn’t been written yet).
So Hank Pym destroys his potions by pouring them down a drain? Where the heck do they end up? Do they mix & form a new formula? Untold story here! I want to see a follow up as the formula heads to the sewer system & mutates a group of alligators. Teenage Mutant Shrinking Gators!
Finally, early appearance of Skrulls from F4 #2. Can’t tell if the third Skrull is meant to be female with more hair or a larger skull cap - or just heavier inked? Did gender matter when it came to impersonating the F4? Later stories these Skrulls get turned into burgers. Ew.
I’ll be back for issue #2!
