Reviewer: Tim Byrne
Story Title: ?
Written by: Cherniss
Penciled by: Johnson
Inked by: ?
Colored by:?
Lettered by:?
Editor: ?
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Apologies to all for omitting some of the above details, but Marvel Comics decided to omit a properly prepared title page from this issue..
So – the mini-series continues with its premise of a world inhabited by all the characters that we know and love, but without super-powers.
In this issue, the plot threads surrounding the protagonists, being chiefly Matt Murdock, Peter Parker and Logan, continue to intertwine. There is a real sense of ‘years ago’ with Peter Parker being a young school-boy with an adolescent relationship with Gwen Stacy (remember her?) and a perpetual sense that he is punching above his weight in his struggles with Norman Osborn, evil businessman.
I actually would describe this series as one of the real gems that has slipped under the radar in 2004. The characterisation of the various Marvel characters has been tight, the plot developments have proceeded with drama and flair, and Cherniss has generally proceeded logically through with the implications for the various characters of having the same personalities without powers.
One point that I love about the book is the sense that it is not the powers that have made Peter and Matt into heroes – it is their natures and (for Peter) his family. Sure, the powers were to mean they could make more of the difference, but the basic decency was still there.
The art in this book is great, but not to everyone’s taste. Essentially, if you like the gritty taste of Alex Maleev’s art, you’ll be happy as a clam. If you prefer Jim Lee or Mark Bagley, you’re out of luck.
The only mystery is whether the concluding issue will tie this series into 616 Marvel or cement this story as a What If…
