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I read the first issue of the Marvels Project, and I gotta say that it’s good stuff. Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, the team that reinvigorated Captain America is re-exploring the dawn of the Marvel universe in a more contemporary voice, and within the confines of brink-of-war America in 1939. We find out that the creation of the original android Human Torch was less than accidental, and the race for a secret weapon wasn’t restricted to bombs and missiles, the race was on to create a super-human.

Probably the coolest reveal in the first issue is Franklin Roosevelt receiving a briefing on the progress of the development of the Human Torch. Instead of keeping the information classified, FDR allows the knowledge of the Torches existence to be leaked by the media as Americas enemies appear to be closer to developing a super-human. This is a cool pre-cold war nuclear arms race metaphor, and a great way to make the early Marvel universe relevant to the modern incarnation. Surely the Super-soldier program will play a central role in the series, and it will be interesting to see the behind-the-scenes machinations that take place leading to the birth of Captain America.

the Marvels Project is a celebration of Marvel/ Atlas/ Timely comics existence that was also accompanied by a reprinting of the first issue of Marvel Comics released in 1939 that debuted the Human Torch, Namor, and Ka-Zar, along with the genre adventure stories of the day. At the time, these characters weren’t as prominent or popular as the heroes being produced over at the Distinguished Competition, but their impact would be appreciated for years to come. the Marvels Project is a great re imagining of the creation myth that is the Marvel Universe.

-Jim

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