Back in 2008, Marvel released a brand new maxi-series from some very NOT brand new characters. Under the masterful pens of J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston, twelve heroes not seen since before Timely Comics became Marvel Comics were given new life in the modern Marvel Universe though a World War II Nazi SNAFU. The book was poised to become one of the most memorable of this era of the Marvel Universe.
And then…nothing.
Issues 1-8 came out in relatively short order before the book dropped off the face of the Earth in the wake of JMS and Weston’s simultaneous but unrelated success within the film industry, and its been almost three years since issue 9 was supposed to land. With no definitive release date for the last four issues and nothing but empty solicits and a throwaway one-shot or two to go on, this “should have been game changing” mini-series could well be on its way to the 25 cent bin, never to be seen or heard from again.
Click on down to find out just how much of a tragedy that would be.
Our story begins in the final days of World War II as the allied forces (and The Invaders) have basically clutched victory away from the Axis. Now, while many people know that Captain America, Namor, Robo Human Torch and their various sidekicks fought during the war, what many do not know is that during those early Timely Comics days, the market was absolutely FLOODED with masked vigilantes trying to give Hitler the ol’ heave ho. Many of these characters disappeared very quickly after their first appearance, however for the titular Twelve, JMS inserted some logic a little deeper than struggling market share to explain why characters like The Phantom Reporter and The Blue Blade were never seen again.
As it turns out, they were ambushed by a pack of Nazi scientists that couldn’t read memos and put into cryogenic suspension for use in some future dastardly deed. However, shortly thereafter, the building they lay dormant in was bombed, killing the scientists and burying our heroes for 63 years until a German construction crew discovered them, still kept asleep and alive by the apparently sturdy third riech science. Now, this concept may seem familiar to some, but it was very clear from the get go that this was not a story about super heroes adjusting to a new time period, it was in many ways about the time period adjusting to those heroes.
Do old habits really die hard? Is 60+ years enough to get rid of a few grudges? Does time solve more mysteries than it creates? Should someone named Laughing Mask who’s only ability is to go around in a golden jester’s mask and shoot people really be considered heroic by 21st century standards? THAT is the level of depth this story went into. While the intentionality behind the book certainly INCLUDED bringing back these heroes from their literal and figurative tombs, as a reader it was impossible to notice that JMS was not only writing a masked commentary on human nature, but making some very definitive statements on the nature of the super hero from conception all the way up to the modern day. It was riveting, it was smart, it was funny and engaging and then…it wasn’t.
Chris Weston, god bless him, has been a monumental trooper with this. Not only bringing his absolute A-Game to every single issue, with his characteristically clean lines and unique facial structures, but he also struggled valiantly to keep the book on the minds of the readership with the good but not great The Twelve: Spearhead one-shot last year. Clearly he wants nothing more than to see this one put to bed, and JMS claims to want this as well despite, ya know, retiring from single issue comics.
At this point, it is very much a crapshoot. IF this story manages to find its finish, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that it will become one of the very best stories told within this era of the Marvel Universe and lay the groundwork for other creators to then move on and use the characters in new and interesting ways (this is, after all, the best shot Marvel has at creating its own JSA). But for my money, that is a big if at this point. And that is just sad.
