Hot off the Comics Press: Marvel No. 1s

As the comic book community prepares itself for a deluge of first issues this coming September, courtesy of DC taking a step back in time, Marvel has similar yet entirely different plans. This 8 June sees the release of a new Marvel title set in a period of time rarely afforded interest by the Marvel Universe: the 1930s (Timely Comics didn't début until 1940). This pulp fiction era will serve as a prequel of sorts to Marvel's modern day universe as it retroactively tells the tale of the Mystery Men #1 (of 5).

Written by David Liss (Black Panther: Man Without Fear) and with art by Patrick Zircher (Spider-Man Noir) the Mystery Men is set firmly in Marvel’s continuity, but will feature a new team of characters: The Surgeon, The Operative, Achilles, The Revenant, and The Aviatrix.

The double dose of first issues doesn't stop there as Marvel also presents Supreme Power #1 (of 4) this week, written by Tim Bradstreet with art by Manuel Garcia. Set outside of Marvel's main universe the Supreme Universe, or Earth 712 if you will, it features characters the average comic book reader may not be familiar with Such as Hyperion, Dr. Spectrum and Nighthawk, creations which were originally based on rival DC's characters (see if you can guess who).

The Supreme stories are not just innovative and a little controversial, but they also come free of overly contrived continuity that will allow new readers to pick up this mini-series without having to have read a convoluted back story. Yes there are parallel universes to bear in mind, but these stories are strong stand-alone tales that serve as a great taster of Marvel’s alternate universe. Billed as a new era for the deadliest heroes of all time, this could be one of the summer’s best alternatives.