Writer: Mark Waid

Art: Javier Rodríguez, Álvaro López, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Steve McNiven, Mark Farmer, and Morry Hollowell

Price: $4.99

Release Date: September 18th, 2019

From the Fantastic Four to the Death of Phoenix, witness the awe and majesty of the beginnings of the Modern Marvel Universe in this week’s all-new HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #3 by Mark Waid. This is the ultimate series for any Marvel Fan jumping into the landscape of this phenomenal macrocosm as well as the former enthusiast interested in a nostalgic trip through some of the most important elements in the Marvel Comic Universe. Let’s dive into the issue and see what tales unfold!

This reviewer continues to be in aw of the sheer daunting task it must be for Mark Waid to chronicle the series of Marvel events and align them in a strategic order. Mixed with the sensational artwork from Javier Rodríguez and Álvaro López, Waid and his creative team throw readers into the Silver Age and usher Marvel fans seamlessly into the Bronze Age with the death of Gwen Stacy and the Green Goblin.

Ironically, readers should take notice of a comparison between the GOSPEL OF LUKE and Waid’s HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE opens with “… I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”. Just like Luke, Waid is orchestrating the very same ”orderly account” for the Marvel Universe. It is this very line from LUKE that draws an exact parallel to Waid’s amazing vision of corresponding events. Furthermore, Waid peels back the layers of the issue, similar to Luke, and reminds readers as to who is actually narrating this testimony, which this critic happened to forget from issue one.

Nevertheless, as poetic as Waid’s narrative may appear, it’s Rodríguez’s pencils and colors that will throw fans into the thick of the issue. As a reader that admires modern, realistic, and current illustrations, this reviewer can appreciate the purpose and design behind the color choices and pencil work that fits the time period of the issue. It should fascinate all fans as to how well Rodríguez and López can instantly switch from a Silver Age tone immediately to a Bronze Age feel, as well as a more modern aspect when Galactus re-enters the story.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Waid, Rodríguez, and López blend this “orderly account” together making readers feel like they are the “Theophilus” of the Marvel Universe. For fans jumping into this series expecting a story packed with ”revelations”, the only revelation they will find here is a detailed and historical document that has been fine-tuned, researched, and organized to get new and old readers up to speed for what’s to come. With help from Rodríguez and López, this creative team deliberately traps readers within this historical document and makes it an enjoyably fun read while gently informing comic buffs of Marvel’s glorious past. Pick this issue up, as well as the prior two, and add it to your pull list. Fans will leave the other side smarter and better for it.