Marvel 1602
In 2001, newly appointed Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada approached legendary author Neil Gaiman to write a completely new Marvel comic series. After much inspiration, Gaiman finally decided on what became a very interesting question: what if the Marvel superheroes existed in the Elizabethan age? Marvel’s 1602 graphic novel is the answer to that question.
Of course, the gimmick here is how modern-day Marvel characters act within the guidelines of the 1600s. For the most part, the novel succeeds in giving them roles that fit the era. Peter Parker is now Peter Parquagh, whose interest in biology is a parallel to Mainstream Universe Peter Parker’s own teenage genius. Later on, Parquagh joins a traveling troupe as the Spider Man (a parallel to Mainstream Spidey’s attempt to make money by showing off his abilities on television).
The rest of the Marvel Universe characters are given realistic and creative twists that adhere naturally to the posts and positions of the 1600s. Doctor Victor von Doom is now Otto von Doom, Baron of Latveria. Reed Richards, leader of the Fantastic Four in the Mainstream Universe, now pilots the Fantastick ship as the captain of the prestigious Elizabethan scholars nicknamed the Fantastick Four. Charles Xavier becomes Carlos Javier, protector of the “witchbreed” (aka mutants). It would have been real easy to make these characters into caricatures, yet the development staff found a way to make the characters plausible in an entirely different era, which gives the story an organic feel that really sells the 1600s concept.
But it wouldn’t be a Marvel comic without high stakes, and 1602 delivers on that regard. The graphic novel takes inspiration from the 1600s by modeling the conflict on the courts of Queen Elizabeth and King James of Scotland. A series of odd occurrences forces the Queen’s own Sir Nicholas Fury to commence his own investigation, which gets the ball rolling. However, while Queen Elizabeth is the story’s catalyst, things really pick up when James I ascends to the throne. In real life, James was obsessed with witches. They became his de facto reason when things didn’t go his way. Everything from delayed ships to stubborn noblemen was somehow a witch’s conspiracy meant to unseat him from his throne.
1602’s James follows the same behavior. No one is safe from his hatred of the witchbreed. Even the non-powered heroes are branded criminals merely by association. James’ mandate forces many characters to flee to the New World (another parallel to the creation of the United States).
But wait. There’s more. Most alternate-universe stories are one-shots, meaning that they only appear in their own series. Once the tale’s done, the book is closed and never opened again. However, the 1602 novel has real repercussions to the Mainstream Universe. It’s the presence of the Mainstream Captain America that has set the 1602 universe towards destruction. And, just like a fairy tale, the 1602 Universe is saved from destruction at the nick of time; giving writers the opportunity to delve into the unique universe in the future.
In 2001, Neil Gaiman was approached to write a new chapter in the Marvel Comics Universe. He chose a tale that put favorite characters into an entirely different era. A lot of things could have gone wrong, yet 1602 came together into a story that hit all the right notes. 1602 is a must-have addition to any Marvel fan’s book-shelf. Don’t believe me? Read it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Worldwalker 