Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 8, 2007 20:32:40 GMT 2
For A Limited Time Only! Things The Curmudgeon Likes - Part Four!
As an acknowledgement of reaching 50 reviews of warning YOU not to buy the worst things ever, I thought a change of pace was needed - so, five reviews then, urging you to buy some of the best things ever. Part four of five, then...
Whilst this sort of book, a run through of the Marvel Universe, would have been essential 10 years ago, with the onslaught of the internet it seems a little pointless. Yeah, it's always nice to have these things actually in your hand, but there are countless internet sites that have all this information, and those are updated, with new pics and facts and histories... another nail in the coffin for the humble book, I'm afraid.
But I'm not here to actually talk about THIS book per se. I'm here to talk about Marvel in particular, and why it's one of the five things that makes The Curmudgeon's world go round. I'd like to think of myself as a big comic book fan, but in reality I haven't even scratched the surface of a lot of work and titles out there. I suppose it's a bit like a Pop Idol fan - fairly ignorant except for what's put in front of them. Hell, I'd like to read more comics from outside the "mainstream", as it were, but it's all about the Benjamins, baby. I just can't afford it. Anyone wants to recommend a title The Curmudgeon really SHOULD take a look at, drop me a line.
Saying that, I think I'm pretty well versed on the Marvel Universe. And what a Universe it is; these characters are so rich, so varied and nowadays have such brilliant writers its impossible not to get sucked into it all. When you read just some of the genre defining characters that the likes of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created, it boggles the mind..
The Hulk, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Punisher, Daredevil, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Howard The Duck..
Ahem. Well, maybe not the last one. But seriously, the stories in the Marvel comics have given me so much enjoyment over the years its hard to put into words. DC are OK, and have a fair share of great characters (arguably more famous than Marvel's) but they lack the depth and style that Marvel have (really though, how BORING is Superman?)
As a side note, anyone wanting to maybe introduce themselves to the Marvel Universe but find themselves a bit swamped with all the history etc, try the Ultimate Marvel comics (especially Spider-Man). They take the characters back to square one, but give their origins etc a modern spin. The writing in these comics is some of the finest you'll see in ANY form.
The Curmudgeon THANKS you, Marvel. Excelsior!
Keep your eye out for the continuation of the limited series of positive Curmudgeon reviews!
