It has become a tradition for Marvel Comics to celebrate made-up milestones on their anniversary. Marvel Comics #1000 did not have 999 issues come before it, and the same goes for Marvel 85th Anniversary Special. The comic totes it as the 50,000th Marvel Comics, and while maybe the number is up there with Marvel Unlimited titles, I highly doubt it. But that’s part of the fun of it all! In this new anthology, Marvel takes us to the year 50,000!
Marvel 85th Anniversary Special contains five tales with a framing tale to connect it all together. That framing tale is by Ryan North and Joshua Cassara, following Wolverine and Deadpool investigating the happenings on a spaceship in the year 50,000.
The framing device is quite clever, as aliens have artifacts but don’t quite get the details right. Take, for instance, Ms. Marvel’s scarf, which the aliens assume was cloth to keep necks warm and to eat off of. So close! The things they get wrong are goofy and fun. Through these artifacts, Wolverine and Deadpool hear ancient tales told via holography. If you dig Cassara’s art, you’ll love the various aliens and humorous bits thanks to his art.
This Ms. Marvel story pops.
Credit: Marvel
The first tale is “The Herald of Tomorrow” by Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada, and the art is by Stephen Byrne. It’s a fabulous story detailing a time when Ms. Marvel became Galactus’ herald. The captions draw you into Ms. Marvel’s personalty well, and it’s neat to see how her powers are manifested with a cosmic boost.
Next up is “Is the Lighthouse Haunted or Are We at the Nexus of an Infinite Multiverse?” by Alan Davis (with colors by Rachelle Rosenberg). If you dug Davis and Chris Claremont’s Excalibur, you will love this. Full stop.
“Rush Hour” by Priest and Carlo Pagualayan focuses on Spider-Man, who goes on a zany adventure using the Spider-Mobile. It runs a little long, with some of the action feeling like filler, but Priest captures a younger Peter who is dirt poor and needs to sell pictures. Pagualayan’s art is super clean and pleasing.
“The Moon Warrior” by Yuji Kaku takes a classic manga approach with the art and story structure. Focusing on alternate takes on Moon Knight and a few other heroes, it has impressive, show-stopping art. I can’t say the story was too deep, but it doesn’t really need to be.
“The Contest of Champions” by Steve Skroce wraps things up in terms of tales. The art really pops with a dynamic in your face feel that’s cool. It’s a bit of a nonsensical fight comic, but it ties into his Thing series nicely.
As far as the framing story goes, the breaks between the tales work, and the end amounts to a bit of a surprise twist with some good action. Throw in a fun house ad by North and there’s a sense of celebration for all things Marvel.
At eight bucks, Marvel 85th Anniversary Special has a little something for all sorts of fans, though I’d flip through just to be safe. The blend of classic creators, humor, and creative new art styles makes for an enjoyable albeit eclectic experience.
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