One of the most notable bits of news from this past weekend’s NYCC was Miracleman, the legendary comic property, finally getting solicited for republishing by Marvel, with word that the story itself would be finished with the help of Neil Gaiman. Incredible news, of course, but something that raises a lot of questions.
Question #1: how would Alan Moore, the original writer, be handled?
Marvel’s just released solicits at CBR reveal just that. See below in the bolded part.
MIRACLEMAN #1 & 2
THE ORIGINAL WRITER & MICK ANGLO (W)
GARRY LEACH, ALAN DAVIS, PAUL NEARY, STEVE DILLON & MICK ANGLO (A)
• Freelance reporter Michael Moran always knew he was meant for something more — now, a strange series of events leads him to reclaim his destiny!
• Relive the ground-breaking eighties adventures that captured lightning in a bottle — or experience them for the first time — in these digitally restored, fully relettered editions!
• Issue 1 includes material originally presented in WARRIOR #1 and MIRACLEMAN #1, plus the MARVELMAN PRIMER. Issue #2 includes material originally presented in WARRIOR #1-5, plus bonus material.
ISSUE #1 – 64 PGS./Parental Advisory…$5.99
ISSUE #2 – 48 PGS./Parental Advisory…$4.99
Instead of being credited as Alan Moore, he earns a credit of “The Original Writer”, which is literally true but quite the powderkeg of possibility when you think about it. Why is that the case?
Well, to me, it isn’t any big deal. After all, hasn’t Moore distanced himself from any and all corporate work he’s done? Miracleman itself doesn’t necessarily fit in that, but with Marvel getting the rights, does it really make sense that he’d want to associate himself with a project such as this? Absolutely not, but it will be interesting to see what is revealed about that credit in future days.
Past that, holy crap you guys, we finally get to read Miracleman! I’ve been dreaming about that since I was a kid, ever since I read about the big fight between Miracle(Marvel)man and his sidekick.
Update: According to Bleeding Cool, Marvel and Alan Moore did in fact have an agreement to not use his name in conjunction with the book.
