1602
June 8th, 2005
I finally managed to get my hands on Marvel 1602, by Neil Gaiman. Yeah, I’m a bit late to the game.
None the less, it’s definetely exciting to read and discover new (or would that be old) characters. The core of the Marvel universe is present, albeit in a completely different (yet, in a way, the same) form. Strangely enough, one major character in absent from the storyline. I won’t say who, but you won’t discover any old English translation of the word “snikt.”
We’re reintroduced to a Doctor Stephen Strange, and Sir Nicholas Fury and his young assistant Peter Parquah. We hear of the voyage of a group of explorers aboard a ship aptly named the Fantastiks, who’s tale is sung by a blind Irish bard named Matthew. Murdoch. We later see an Angel being rescued by a group of witchbreed, including a Scotus Summerisle and an ice-wielder named Roberto Trefusis, along with an apprentice named Grey. Of course, let’s not forget the Grand Inquisitor of Spain bearing a familiar helmet. Other characters make appearance throughout as well.
A young girl named Virginia Dare also plays a significant role, along with her Native American bodyguard Rohjaz. While reading, my mind kept wondering who these characters were suppose to be when I remembered Virginia Dare was apparently the first white baby born in America. Of course that left me wondering who Rohjaz was, until a convenient flashback (um, actually flash forward) scene came into play and we discover his real name: Steven Rogers.
Gaiman’s combination of historical fact with fanstasy characters was absolutely amazing. It’s neat to see how timeless some of our favorite characters really are.
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