“New Dawn” Written by Ben Dunn. Art by Ben Dunn & GURU- eFX
“Avengers Assemble” Written by Ken Siu-Chong [UDON]. Art by Alvin Lee; Arnold Tsang; Omar Dogan; & Shane Law [UDON]
“Eternity Twilight” Written by Ben Dunn & Kevin Gunstone. Art by Ben Dunn & GURU- eFX
Cover Art by Taleshi Miyazawa & GURU-eFX
SUMMARY:
Published as a Target exclusive, this 2004 96-page one-shot consists of Marvel Mangaverse: New Dawn # 1 and Marvel Mangaverse: Eternity Twlight # 1 (both from 2002).
In Marvel’s alternate-reality Mangaverse, ex-SHIELD operative Antoinette “Toni” Stark/Irongirl has assumed control of her missing older brother’s Stark Island. In a briefing with Nick Fury, Baron Mordo, & U.S. President Steve Rogers/Captain America, she summarizes the backstory. Presently, with the aid of scientist Dr. Bruce Banner, Stark Industries is reconstructing an ‘energy well’ to gain access to the “Negative Zone,” from which Earth can tap seemingly unlimited energy.
Dark forces conspire to attack Stark Island to steal this energy well, as secret agendas are revealed. Marvel’s greatest heroes fight back, but only a miracle might thwart a Godzilla-sized Hulk monster’s rampage.
Note: Re: his appearance on the cover, the Mangaverse’s Doctor Doom isn’t in this collection.
REVIEW:
This Manga visual style is predictably disorienting, as far as which characters are supposed to be adults or teenagers. Case in point: Black Panther/T’Challa, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, and Baron Strucker are adults, but the vast majority of characters (i.e. Bruce Banner, Irongirl, Wasp) resemble glorified teenagers. Also, some revamps click (i.e. a demonic Baron Mordo) and others don’t really amount to much of anything (i.e. Wolverine).
Re: this Mangaverse’s Mordo, his counterpart ought to replace the original one in Marvel’s primary universe, as this Mordo is a far more interesting threat. Overall, the stylish artwork is at least unique, in terms of oncoming surprises (confusing or not) for readers.
After overcoming a slow start, the storyline’s various plot twists start making sense. Due to a surplus of characters, depth is limited, but the writers still find some creative ways to make it all work. For instance, the final few pages deliver some dynamite ideas that ensure this compilation is an intriguing all-ages read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
