Marvel Legacy
How Marvel Can Become Number One In The Hearts Of Fans Again
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Podcast
This month, Marvel starts the process of returning many of their classic characters and elements back into their comics. While many have debated if perhaps the trend of introducing new characters in the guises of original heroes is the main factor in slumping sales, Marvel has promised Legacy will bring back many classic elements (and issue numbering) while still satisfying the fans of the new generation of characters.
Two For The Price Of One
After the complete failure of the last Fantastic Four movie, fans have been waiting and waiting for the comic book return of the first family of Marvel. Last seen at the end of the last Secret Wars event, Reed and Sue Richards, along with their children have been helping rebuild the multiverse after it’s almost complete destruction. Johnny Storm has been working with the Avengers Unity Squad and Ben Grimm was working as an agent of Shield until recently. One of the big announcements of Marvel Legacy is the return of the Marvel Two In One book. The original series featured Ben Grimm teaming up with a different Marvel hero every issue. This time it seems the original buddy comedy of the Thing and Human Torch are back and the title of the first story arc is “Fate of the Four”. At the end of Marvel Legacy #1 this past week, we saw Franklin and Valeria Richards traveling through dimensions, possible to team up with their uncles as a new Fantastic Four until their parents return? This fan hopes so!
Like A Phoenix From The Ashes (Again)
Marvel Legacy is not only limited to ongoing series. While Marvel Legacy featured the shocking return of the original Wolverine, Marvel recently announced the upcoming return of another classic fan favorite X-Men member, the original adult Jean Grey. With the Phoenix Force fast approaching Earth in the current Jean Grey book featuring teen Jean, will the original wielder of the Phoenix Force return to life with all the cosmic power of her namesake? And with the returns of the original Wolverine and Jean, that makes at least five living X-Men members that will have two versions of themselves coexisting at the same time. Will the return of the Phoenix usher in a story retcon or X-Men line soft reboot. While I have enjoyed the adventures of the time displaced teen X-Men, will the Phoenix return them to their proper place in history or perhaps merge the younger and older versions, de-aging the older X-Men somewhat and giving them a little more innocence to lighten up what has become a sometimes dark corner of the Marvel Universe. And speaking of dark, would this possible retcon bring back the original Cyclops and make him less of a jerk…?
Long Distance Friends
One book that I absolutely can’t wait for is the new Captain America book by Mark Waid who had a classic run with the character back in the 1990s. After the controversial Hydra Cap storyline, the eyes of the world will be on Steve Rogers and Mark Waid, who I know will grace us with excellence once again. One story point I was hoping for that I don’t think is happening isfor Steve Rogers to have a complete secret identity again. After the Cosmic Cube that thinks it’s a young girl names Kobik set most of Hydra Cap’s damage back to normal, I was hoping that she would wipe the memory of Steve’s identity from the minds of the whole world (with the exception of a few friends) so Steve could truly return to being a symbol of hope and courage for everyone. Maybe Mark will surprise us! And another book I am excited for is the new Falcon series. What does a man do after serving his time as America’s number one hero? Move to Chicago of course and face the son of the devil. I can’t wait to see Sam Wilson back in his old identity battling the supernatural!
Who Are The People In Your Friendly Neighborhood?
And of course as a huge Spider-Man fan I can’t wait for a back to basics approach for Peter Parker. It was interesting watching Peter Parker operate as the new Tony Stark like tech genius billionaire of the Marvel Universe, but I can’t wait for them to go back to basics with classic Spider-Man as the protector of New York City, the “friendly neighborhood”. All that’s missing for that classic “Legacy” vibe is Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane Watson. I was a huge fan of married Spider-Man and I know we get a version of that in Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows every month, but I’d love to see this love story return to the main continuity. If Marvel wants a Single Spider-Man who can date heroes like Mockingbird, Peter’s clone Ben Reilly has returned as another big part of Marvel Legacy, and writer Peter David has even brought him back closer to his heroic roots in the last month or so. When it comes to married or single Spider-Man in the main Marvel Universe, Marvel can have their cake and eat it too!
So that’s my long winded way of telling you I want all of the characters and stories I read in the 90s back. Who or what do you want to return? ( I personally want Wendell Vaughn to return as the original Quasar!). Or have you been completely satisfied with the status quo of the last few years? Let’s chat!
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You can hear me and my cohosts discussing all things Marvel, DC Comics, TV, movies, and all pop culture and entertainment on the Capes and Lunatics Podcast and YouTube channel several times a week.