BDcomics

Graphic Novel: Neil Gaiman - Marvel 1602 - parts 1-8 + Sketchbook (Complete series)


Marvel 1602 -- more commonly known simply as 1602 -- was an 8-issue mini-series published in 2003-2004. The series was written by Neil Gaiman, who had never before written for Marvel despite his extremely celebrated status in both comics and novels -- but who struck a deal with Marvel to write a mini-series, the profits of which would be donated to the lawsuit fighting Todd McFarlane over the rights to Miracleman. Assigned to the project was the artistic team of the hit mini-series Origin: Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove, the latter of which provided digital colors with gradations half mimicking painting. Marvel imposed near-absolute secrecy over the project, originally planned for 2002 release, even through the delays that moved the series to the 2003 schedule.

Back in the early 1960s, Marvel Comics revolutionized and redefined the superhero genre. Amazing Spider-man, Uncanny X-Men, Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, Doctor Strange - within the span of five years, a dozen or so titles were launched that continue to this day. Of course, the stories within reflected the changing times; over the years, Marvel's characters have continued to change, and are just as relevant in the new millennium as they were four decades ago. But, what if the Marvel-verse had happened in another time, in another place? It's been imagined before, in fits and starts, from the occasional What If? one-shot, to the long-dead 2099 family of titles. Now, Neil Gaiman (creator of the DC title Sandman and author of the award-winning novel American Gods), in collaboration with artists Andy Kubert, Richard Isanove, and Scott McKowen, is putting a fresh spin, hopefully, on Marvel's beloved heroes and villains.


1602, an eight-issue miniseries debuting August 13, 2003, takes place in Europe at a time of great change. The Catholic Church's Inquisition is pursuing and rounding up "witchbreed", strange individuals with all sorts of unexplained abilities. Many of the witchbreed flee to the relative safety of England, where they are taken under the wing of Carlos Javier, an expatriate Spaniard with extraordinary abilities of his own. An elderly Queen Elizabeth sits on the throne of England - her ministers include Sir Nicholas Fury, her Minister of Intelligence, and Dr. Stephen Strange, her Court Physician and Magician. As issue #1 begins, Fury sends a blind Irish balladeer named Matthew Murdock to Europe to retrieve, from the last of the Templars, a mysterious item that may be either weapon or treasure. Unfortunately, this item has also come to the attention of Count Otto von Doom (also called The Handsome), ruler of Latveria.
All sorts of other odd things are going on, with strange weather, rumors of the end of the world, and a girl named Virginia Dare setting sail for England from the Roanoke Colony.

Gaiman got the idea for 1602 while participating in a comic convention in Venice, Italy, not long after the events of September 11th. He'd been mulling over the idea of doing a miniseries for Marvel, but by that time, he confesses, he didn't want anything with "skyscrapers, guns, bombs or planes in it. And the idea for 1602 fell straight into my head." Gaiman repeatedly insists that 1602 isn't a What If?, or anything like DC's Elseworlds - a puzzling claim since that's exactly what it is! The fact that it's a more comprehensive re-imagining than most such stories doesn't really change its "What If-ness". Says Gaiman: "Read it as a puzzle or and adventure. Things will become apparent as the story goes on."


Some links:

Neil Gaiman Official Site

Neil Gaiman Chronology

Annotations to Marvel 1602:
This is an extensive series of notes on this magnificent comic series. Check it out when or soon after you read the comics. Its a page-by-page background and commentary:



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http://rapidshare.de/files/6550887/Neil_Gaiman_Marvel1602_01-04.rar
http://rapidshare.de/files/6551507/Neil_Gaiman_Marvel1602_05-08.rar



Thanks to phil_ga for posting this on the ProjectW.org forum