- Written by: J. Michael Straczynkski
- Art by: Sean Damien Hill, Jay Leisten, Roberto Poggi, Ron Lim
- Colors by: Alex Sinclair
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: Pete Woods (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: November 12, 2025
1776 #1, by Marvel on 11/12/25, sends the Avengers back in time to stop Morgan Le Fay from rewriting history by turning the tide of the Revolutionary War.
First Impressions
The opening pages of 1776 #1 immediately set a tone of urgency and mystery, dropping readers into a pivotal moment of the American Revolution with a supernatural twist. The concept of Avengers battling to preserve the United States from a sorceress who wants to rewrite history is bold and attention-grabbing. However, the rapid introduction of time travel, magic, and historical figures can feel overwhelming rather than exciting.
Plot Analysis
1776 #1 begins with a dramatic scene set during the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, where General Gates is leading American forces against the British. The story quickly shifts to a modern-day setting, where the Avengers – led by Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk – learn that Morgan le Fay, a powerful sorceress, has traveled back in time to ensure the British win the Revolutionary War. Her plan is not just to change the outcome of the war, but to prevent the United States from ever forming, splitting the continent into twelve separate countries and eliminating the Avengers from history.
The Avengers realize that because Morgan le Fay is immortal, she can manipulate history in ways that normal time travelers cannot. To stop her, they must travel back to 1777 and intervene before the tide of history is set. The comic introduces Clea, the Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension, who will guide the Avengers through the time tunnel and help them navigate the dangers of the past. The issue ends with the Avengers arriving in Saratoga, ready to face the British and Morgan le Fay, but unsure of what awaits them.
Writing
The writing in 1776 #1 is fast-paced, with a lot of exposition and dialogue that tries to explain the complex time-travel and alternate history concepts. The pacing is brisk, but sometimes feels rushed, leaving little room for character development or emotional depth. The dialogue is functional, but often feels more like exposition than natural conversation. The structure is clear, with a straightforward setup and a cliffhanger ending, but the rapid shifts between modern and historical settings can be disorienting.
Art
The art in 1776 #1 is detailed and dynamic, with strong line work and effective use of color to convey mood and atmosphere. The battle scenes are particularly well-drawn, with a sense of movement and tension. The composition is clear, making it easy to follow the action, but some panels are crowded with too many characters and details, which can be overwhelming. The color palette is muted, fitting the historical setting, but sometimes lacks the vibrancy needed to make the supernatural elements stand out.
Character Development
The character development in 1776 #1 is limited. The Avengers are recognizable and their motivations are clear, but they are more archetypes than fully fleshed-out individuals. Morgan Le Fay is a compelling villain, but her motivations are not fully explored. The historical figures, such as General Gates and Benedict Arnold, are mentioned but not developed. The lack of character depth makes it hard to connect emotionally with the story.
Originality & Concept Execution
The concept of Avengers fighting to preserve the United States from a sorceress who wants to rewrite history is fresh and ambitious. The comic successfully delivers on the premise, with a clear setup and a high-stakes conflict. However, the execution is sometimes muddled by the rapid introduction of time travel, magic, and historical figures, which can be confusing for readers unfamiliar with the Marvel universe.
Positives
The standout aspect of 1776 #1 is its ambitious concept and the way it blends historical events with superhero action. The art is detailed and dynamic, making the battle scenes exciting and visually engaging. The introduction of Clea as a guide through the time tunnel adds a new layer of complexity to the story. The comic’s fast-paced writing keeps the reader engaged, and the cliffhanger ending sets up a promising continuation.
Negatives
The main drawbacks of 1776 #1 are its rushed pacing and lack of character development. The rapid shifts between modern and historical settings can be disorienting, and the exposition-heavy dialogue sometimes feels more like a lecture than a conversation. The crowded panels and muted color palette can make it hard to follow the action, and the limited character depth makes it difficult to connect emotionally with the story.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
The Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Verdict
1776 #1 is a comic that offers an ambitious blend of historical events and superhero action, but it falls short in terms of character development and clarity. The fast-paced writing and detailed art keep the reader engaged, but the rushed pacing and exposition-heavy dialogue can be overwhelming. Whether this comic earns a place in a limited comic budget depends on how much you value ambitious concepts over clear storytelling and character depth.
6/10
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.
