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Marvels #3: Review

Mar 1994
Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross

Story Name:

Marvels Book Three: Judgment Day

Review & Comments

Rating:
5 stars

Marvels #3 Review by (September 28, 2020)

Review: And suddenly, things change. From the heights of popularity for the Marvels the city descends into the depths of cynicism and hostility as they realize that the Marvels are not better than the normal run of humanity, just different. The natural human inclination to tear down the high and mighty comes to the forefront and the heroes must work harder to maintain trust. But the biggest deal is in the arrival of Galactus. It’s hard to imagine, with Galactus becoming just another overused bad guy, how big a deal the original Galactus trilogy was. Here was something bigger than any hero had ever faced, a being from the stars who looked upon humanity as insects crawling on his food. And there was no clear way to fight him (Stan and Jack had to invent a magical doohickey to defeat the Big G). And Alex Ross’ amazing art catches the feel of the original as it must have been for the populace of New York, the majestic and mystifying actions of the heroes and the villain captured silently, interspersed with the fear, confusion and panic of the people—and suddenly it’s over and things almost go back to normal. And normal seems to be criticizing the Marvels. But even Phil doesn’t know the full story as he recoils in disgust from Peter Parker taking pictures to make Spidey look bad; there’s no way Phil could have known the complex situation there, but even he isn’t above ignorance and misery.

Comments: Story set in the second half of the 1960s in the real-life Marvel chronology. Far too many references to list here; please consult MARVELS ANNOTATED.





 

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Marvels #3 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Just two months after the Richards-Storm wedding, various Marvels are under fire. Phil Sheldon and Ben Urich cover the announcement that the Avengers have been cleared of criminal charges, stories of Tony Stark under investigation, the Black Widow on trial for murder. Phil takes his family to the zoo and suddenly there is minor flooding and Doris has to persuade Phil not to follow this up but to stay with the family while the Avengers battle Attuma. Phil begins to have second thoughts about his book, wondering if they have misjudged the Marvels or are just now seeing them for what they really are…

…and then the sky is filled with fire, followed by rocks—and then the Silver Surfer arrives. Heralding the coming of…Galactus. The Fantastic Four take him on—and lose. As the story unfolds, Phil walks home to be with his family for what may be the end of the world. And suddenly, it’s over. The Fantastic Four are heroes who have saved the Earth. But then come the accusations that the whole thing was a hoax and the FF are vilified again. Phil stops by the Daily Bugle just as Peter Parker is delivering phots that make Spider-Man look like a criminal to J. Jonah Jameson; Phil is disgusted. And when he hears some people criticizing the X-Men, he loses it, berating them for their lack of gratitude to the Marvels….



Alex Ross
Alex Ross
Alex Ross
Alex Ross (Cover Penciler)
Alex Ross (Cover Inker)
Alex Ross (Cover Colorist)


> Marvels: Book info and issue index

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