Marvel have announced “Marvels Snapshots,” a new anthology series consisting of eight, double-sized issues, all overseen by Kurt Busiek. Like Busiek and Alex Ross’s “Marvels,” each issue will explore an aspect of the Marvel Universe through the perspective of an ordinary person. Ross will return to provide cover art for the series.
The first issue, out in March, is titled “Sub-Mariner: Marvels Snapshot” #1, and is written by Alan Brennert (“Batman: Holy Terror”) with art by Jerry Ordway (“The Power of Shazam!”). It will feature Namor, Betty Dean, and the All-Winners Squad during World War II.
Brennert commented, “I can honestly say that I enjoyed working on this story more than any comics story I’ve done in years. I grew up reading (and loving) Marvel’s Golden Age heroes in the 1960s, in reprints in ‘Fantasy Masterpieces.’ But I never thought I’d have a shot at writing them—especially the All-Winners Squad!—and I’m grateful to Kurt Busiek and Tom Brevoort for providing me the opportunity, and to Jerry Ordway for bringing it all to glorious life. I’m enormously proud of ‘Reunion’ and honored to be the first story published in ‘Marvels Snapshots.'”
Ordway said, “When I was offered this project, I jumped at it, being a big fan of the original ‘Marvels’ book by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. Getting to draw a Sub-Mariner story set in the 1940s, with appearances by the All-Winners Squad, lets me connect with Marvel’s World War II era history, and the work of Subby’s creator, Bill Everett. I’ve been a Marvel maniac from the age of 10, so this is pretty cool! Alan Brennert wrote a great script which fits neatly into the bigger tapestry that is the Marvel Universe. I’m thrilled to get to play in this sandbox after so many years as an artist.”
Details on each subsequent “Marvels Snapshots” books will be released as the series progresses. It is unknown what, if any, relationship the series has with Alex Ross’s own anthology, “Marvel,” which was announced without a release date in October.
