COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK



Hello again, collectors!  Once more we dive into the Comics History Bin, and pull out a book that we will discuss the background of, give a little history, and see what you think.  This week, we're doing something A LITTLE different.  This time around, we're not focusing on a particular comic issue.  This time, we're diving into the first graphic novel published by Marvel Comics.  And in case those of you NEW to comics lore and unawares as to what a graphic novel is, I'm here to tell ya!  A graphic novel is a novelized type story put into comic form.  The concept got started with the late, great artist and writer Wil Eisner (who had been the creator of The Spirit), published a story called A Contract With God.  It proved to be a popular new form of the comics medium, and many started to publish stories in this format.  Marvel got on board with their first book...about the passing of one of their famous heroes:  Captain Marvel.  THAT is what we're going to be looking at today.



MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #1 - DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL



COVER: Jim Starlin
WRITER: Jim Starlin
ARTIST: Jim Starlin
INKS: Jim Starlin
COLORS: Steve Oliff
LETTERS: Jim Novak
EDITOR: Al Milgrom
COVER DATE: April 1982
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics


STORY TITLE:  "The Death of Captain Marvel"


Marvel Graphic Novel #1 was another concept and idea brought forth under the editorialship of Jim Shooter.  Seeing the idea for something different in the way of European Albums, with cardboard covers, more lavish style paper and colors.  With sales of the company up in 1979, there was a decision to launch the line, but it would be a few years later that the first installment was published.  It was a complete Jim Starlin effort, as Marvel gave him the opportunity to craft the death of one of their biggest heroes, Captain Marvel.  The book was a huge success, and allowed Marvel to being producing many more graphic novels henceforth.  The story is still considered one of the best of all time.  


THE STORY:  After having been in a brutal battle with the villain, Nitro, Kree superhero Mar-Vell, who used the alias Dr. Walter Lawson on his time on Earth, was the hero known to the world at large as Captain Marvel, was stricken with cancer.  Many of his comrades visit him in his final hours, to pay homage to him for his heroic deeds, before he dies at the end of the book.  


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Starlin crafted a wonderful, if not somber and sad farewell, to the original Captain Marvel.  Starlin shows that not even heroes can overcome everything, and that cancer is, indeed, a terrible killer.  It was Marvel's first foray into this medium, and they hit it out of the park.  Starlin weaves in the rest of the Marvel heroes who'd become Captain Marvel's friends, who pay their respects to their fallen friend.  It's a tearjerker, but a fitting farewell to a favorite character.  His legacy now lives on with Carol Danvers---the new Captain Marvel.  It's one worth picking up, because it's still one of the greatest stories Marvel has ever told, and it helped launch their graphic novel series in earnest.