By Iann Robinson

As everybody gets revved up for the release this weekend of “Wanted” the film based on the Mark Millar graphic novel I am way more interested in the release of issue number two of his “Marvel 1985”.

I’m not a fan of Millar’s “edgy” writing but when he writes straight comic stuff, as with Marvel 1985, few can top him. What really makes this book work is how it plays into what turned us all onto comic books in the first place. This isn’t some convoluted X-Men plot, there’s no Secret Invasion or Final Crisis, all of that has been stripped away. This is a fantasy book, something just for those of us who grew up cherishing stories like Dark Phoenix, Secret Wars, The Killing Joke, A Superman For All Seasons and comics of that ilk. Issue #2 doesn’t miss a step getting us right back into the action.

The main character in 1985 (named for the year the book is set in) is Toby, a young boy stuck in the middle of a nasty divorce who escapes his day-to-day world through comic books. When Toby investigates the new people living in the old Wyncham house he discovers they are actually Marvel super-villains who have somehow leapt from the pages of the comic books and entered the real world. Running from the house Toby bumps into something huge and green. Issue 2 picks up right at that point as Toby is brought face to face with the Incredible Hulk. Luckily the Hulk has Banner’s brain and explains to Toby he’s simply looking for the Juggernaut. Before Toby can respond the Juggernaut comes crashing through forest and an epic battle begins. Without giving away too many plot points Toby is faced with a father who doesn’t believe him but has something mysterious going on, a mother who wants to move to England and skepticism from everybody about his run in with a living Hulk or the shacked up super-villains. We also get introduced to Edgar a character who becomes the focus of the recently arrived bad guys.

Millar nails every aspect of this book with flawless ease. From the loving father to the neurotic mother as well as the two guys who run the local comic shop, everybody has their own voice and their character development is wonderful. Millar manages to build real tension in this story without tampering with the innocent atmosphere he’s created. Even with all the various elements going on Millar never loses sight of the fact that this is Toby’s story and the only way it will continue to work is if it stays his story from his vantage point. As good as the writing is “Marvel 1985” wouldn’t be possible without the gorgeous art from Tommy Lee Edwards. Each of these panels seems like a small fine art painting, which transcend even the best comic book artwork. I must go on record as saying that Edwards’ Hulk is one of the greatest I’ve ever seen, just beautiful. The mood for each panel is set up through Edwards’ use of light and shadow and it helps to lift Millar’s story into the realm of becoming a classic series.

Don’t get me wrong, this is only issue 2 of 6 and anything can happen. Marvel is awesome at totally fucking up a story right at the end (Civil War anyone?) and my fear that Millar will have a Wanted flashback and suddenly try to make this story “edgy” is always lingering. I’m hoping both Millar and Edwards fully understand how close to greatness they are with Marvel 1985 and play it out as the lovely break from the comic super story-arcs and summer crossovers that it is.