Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Trevor Hairsine/Manuel Garcia
Publisher: Marvel
Just ahead of the first issue coming out, Fractal Matter (well, me in fact) raved about how good this series was going to be. Now it’s all finally available and, ahead of that lovely trade in August, we’re back to consider how well it stood up.
Back then I called it “one of the best debuts for a new Marvel writer in quite a few years” and as a whole it’s probably one of the best things Marvel have put out all year.
Paul Cornell presents us with a cast that is probably about half new creations and half older Marvel characters, but all are presented as being new to the reader. As such new readers they don’t need to know the backstory of Black Jack Tarr, just that he’s a government agent and then he’s off fulfilling his role in the series. It’s the little touches that make this series. Having introduced us to the concept of the Skrulls taking on the form of the Beatles, we get to meet Kree Yoko. That’s a joke that no other comic could get away with. For British readers the notion of Captain Midlands is delicious. Pete Wisdom, the lead character never moves from the spotlight, but allows the supporting cast to shine. As the central character, Wisdom, is afforded the chance to be the hero and to make the tough decisions. It is a story that revolves around him, but not in such a manner that it feels artificial. The ending, in particular, is a powerful sequence that will hopefully affect the character for years to come.
If there is a problem it’s in the switch of artists from Trevor Hairsine on 1-2 to Manuel Garcia on 4-6. There is a marked change in styles from Hairsine’s realistic style to Garcia’s more caricatured pencils. Garcia delivers good storytelling, but for the latter issues involving such characters as Jack the Ripper and the other villains of the series, who are a great surprise not to be spoilt here, it would have been nice to have seen Hairsine’s more realistic style and eye for design to give things that extra wow factor. That’s not to say Garcia does not deliver, particularly on issue 3 guest starring Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu, where he skillfully delivers the action sequences along with a conversation that would not normally be expected in a Marvel comic.
In terms of the story, Cornell delivers a selection of stand alone tales that are tied together by the bigger story in issue 6. For British readers this is not the stock portrayal of the UK that we normally expect. Indeed between this and the Union Jack Limited series, Marvel have been doing very well recently. The stories do operate, on the whole, as stand alones with elements running in the background throughout that build to the crescendo. There’s also some nice tips of the hat to Marvel continuity, indeed the whole series is based around the background of one character, and flashbacks from his series. However, for new readers it is done in such a manner as to not be intrusive. It does not derail the story being told, merely adding extra flavour if you know how things tie together. Cornell manages to even sell a Jack the Ripper story when Jack the Ripper has been the fallback of lazy writers for far too many years. The dialogue is delicious with Cornell showing his wit and verve. The introduction to a guest appearance by Captain Britain late on is perhaps one of the most insightful comments about the character in a long time, and just instills a love for the Captain that has perhaps been lacking. There is then perhaps a reason why Cornell’s turns of phrase are being quite heavily quoted in Doctor Who circles.
To sum up, if you are looking for an intelligent romp through the Marvel universe with sparkling dialogue and the ability to surprise you then look for the Wisdom trade. Now we sit and wait for Paul Cornell’s next comic work.
Mark Peyton – has a MA in History and Research from the University of Hull specialising in the Hundred Years War. In a complete departure from that he now runs communications and membership for a UK based Trade Union as well as being a part time writer/journalist.
He is a founding member of Millarworld acting as a moderator and as an editor for Fractal Matter.