iFanboy - Episode #69: Classic Marvel Vault
What do the Infinity Gauntlet, The Kree-Skrull War, and Elektra: Assassin have in common? They're classics!
Josh, Ron, and Conor are back to the Vault, but with a twist! This week, it's all about those famous and classic stories that make up the keystones of the Marvel Universe.
Before Secret Invasion, there was the Kree-Skrull War. Does this story from 1972 hold up? Is it related to the current drama happening at Marvel? Ron's read it, and he'll let you know.
Conor had to borrow a copy of Elektra: Assassin to take part in the show, and it certainly gave him something to think about. Is the combination of Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz genius or madness? Perhaps it's a bit of both.
Finally, a glove of powerful gems will rule them all, and the Marvel Universe had better stop Thanos before he really messes things up. Did Jim Starlin tell a story for the ages, or is it best to leave The Infinity Gauntlet in 1991?
So true believers, step into the Vault with iFanboy, and check out these essential Marvel yarns.
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Comments
Great show. Infinity Gauntlet #3 was one of the first comics I bought, and it blew my mind.
I feel, however, that I must point out that Ron used the word "underrated". =P
Posted by HBD on 05/11/08 at 12:07 PM
That’s a very good era for the Avengers with the Kree Skrull War, I’ve always enjoyed reprints from that era. Good classic stories that just keep on rolling on after that with an actual Marvel Cross with the Avengers/Defenders War, then the Celestial Madonna Storyline and then the Serpent Crown.
I missed the Infinity Gauntlet when it originally came out since I was only casually into comics at the time but once the Infinity War came out I was all over that. It was so neat to see so big of a crossover and 48 page stories. All the Marvel Heroes gathering in a room to see what they should do about a big threat might seem a bit silly but it was so great to just see them all interacting and pick out who was who. Nothing beats cosmic threats getting so many characters together.
Elektra Assassin in oversize hardcover is definitely the way to go.
Posted by whirlwindx on 05/11/08 at 02:40 PM
Gordon is such a spooky creeper
Posted by wolf on 05/11/08 at 07:33 PM
Holy crap the logo of you guys as Green Lantern, Wolverine and Superman freaking RULES!!! I squealed with delight.
Posted by leland222 on 05/12/08 at 01:07 AM
Heheh Episode 69 ...
Good show boyos!
I'm lookin' forward to the DC version.
Posted by WadeWilson on 05/12/08 at 07:26 AM
Infinity Gauntlet led to my love of Thanos, Adam Warlock and most of the Cosmic aspects of Marvel.
So what did you guys think of the followup series, Infinity War, Infinity Crusade, and Infinity Abyss?
Posted by Ratenef on 05/12/08 at 01:35 PM
@Ratenef - I think it got steadily worse. I liked War (but not as good as Gauntlet), didn't really like Crusade (don't think I even got all the issues when it first came out...I should look into getting the rest now), and didn't bother reading Abyss.
Posted by HBD on 05/12/08 at 01:39 PM
@Ratenef - The ones I read were pretty bad.
Posted by conor on 05/12/08 at 04:21 PM
I've wanted to get Elektra Assassin for a while now, but have held off because some people told me it made no sense whatsoever. But from what you said it seems challenging, not nonsensical. Plus the art is gorgeous, so I'm sold.
Josh is a Skrull?
Posted by Eyun on 05/12/08 at 10:28 PM
If you like Jim Starlin, there was a book that came out just before the Infinity Gauntlet centered around the acquisition of the gems called THE THANOS QUEST. It was a 2-part prestige format mini that blew me away when I first picked it up. I highly recommend it. It was the first time I read a book where the protagonist was a major villain. Thanos' battle with the Champion was priceless.
Posted by Dumeer on 05/13/08 at 01:59 PM
@Dumeer - Have you read the six issue mini from the 80's called Cosmic Powers? It was another 'Thanos power quest', written by Ron Marz with various artists. I rather liked them.
And some indy Starlin that I liked was his Breed series from Malibu.
@Ratenef - I've not read Cosmic Powers, but if Thanos is walking around getting the best of everyone he meets then I'm sure I'd love it. Thanks for the heads up.
Posted by Dumeer on 05/18/08 at 02:22 PM
Great show guys! I was already out of college by the time Infinity Gauntlet came around, so it was really fun to see it from the eyes of the fanboys in their pre-teen days. Now that comics are much more sophisticated and geared to an older audience, I can only hope that there are some 12 year olds out there picking up copies of Secret Invasion and Final Crisis with that same wide-eyed sense of wonder and excitement.
Posted by NJBaritone on 05/18/08 at 03:57 PM
Spoiler!!!!
I remember when I was nine, I first received the Infinity Gauntlet series from cousin. He told me that I had to read it because the whole Marvel universe was destroyed by the Gauntlet. I almost crap my pants after reading that mini. It may not be the best comic series ever made but, it is very enjoyable.
Posted by Limelitefilms on 05/24/08 at 12:58 AM
Kree-Skrull War had the most complex plot ever devised. That is some hella convoluted plotting. Though I loved the book all the same.
Posted by Labor on 05/11/08 at 12:03 PM