The Twelve, Volume 1: A Thrilling Novel of Tomorrow

This is a great revitalization of characters from the Timely-Atlas history of Marvel comics. Through the first six issues compiled here, J.M. Straczinsky has fleshed out the WWII-era characters and their maladjustment to present times. I only hope that the creators complete the mini-series, since the ninth issue of this twelve issue run was originally due out last November. To date, issues 9-12 haven't been released.

I'm a big fan of Golden Age characters, so when I found out that a dozen long-forgotten heroes from Timely/Marvel Comics would be rejuvenated in the series THE TWELVE, I took notice. It didn't hurt that Chris Weston, one of my favorite artists, would be illustrating the series; on the other hand, it didn't help that it would be written by J. Michael Straczynski, whose past work I rate a solid "meh". In any case, I waited for the eventual collected edition, only to discover that Marvel would be splitting the twelve-issue series into two volumes of six issues each, and not even including the classic reprints from #s 0 and 1/2. When you consider that each hardcover is $25, and each trade is $15, that's not a good deal... call me old-fashioned, but I'm of a different mindset that you should be able to get an entire twelve issues in one trade for $20 or so, and to heck with the ridiculous glossy paper. Anyway, I held out and found a beat-up $8 copy of THE TWELVE VOLUME 1 hardcover at the local used bookstore, dove in, and was really surprised. So far, this is some good stuff. I don't see this story offering a monumental conclusion - more likely, it was done simply to renew the trademarks for these characters - but it's engaging enough to hold my interest, and in today's comic market, that's a rare thing. The jacket flap proclaims "Yesterday's Men of Tomorrow - Today!" Just like a certain star-spangled Avenger, The Twelve are trapped in suspended animation at the end of World War II; however, these folks are revived SIXTY years later instead of twenty. In return for service to their country, their needs are provided for by the US Government of this strange new era, but as the story progresses, it indeed appears that nothing is truly free... including the Twelve. The gaudily-attired Captain Wonder, Dynamic Man, the Witness, the Black Widow, Fiery Mask, and Blue Blade; the more "mundane" Mastermind Excello, Mister E, the Laughing Mask, and Phantom Reporter; and the bizarre Rockman and Electro are very intriguing characters who seek to find their purpose in the modern Marvel Universe, whether it involves locating family members, getting back into the superhero game, or settling old scores, and all the while being stalked by a killer. The only thing is, if these characters are truly returning to the modern MU, I would have preferred to see more interaction with other modern characters. It would have been great to see Captain America or Nick Fury drop by for a debriefing. Straczynski's story moves quickly and smoothly, providing a great set-up for the adventures of these heroes out of time. I could be biased, but Chris Weston was the perfect choice to illustrate this story, as each of The Twelve looks looks so unique - even two characters with almost identical costumes have their own distinctive facial features. After just six issues, I'm interested to see how this story concludes; however, you can be sure that I'll buy it at a discount.

When Marvel announced "The Twelve" they said it would be a 12 issue mini-series. I promptly forgot and bought the hardback with the first six issues in it. I therefore have what feels like the beginning of a story - but it is a beginning that I've quite enjoyed. Readers have long commented on Marvel's inability to capitalize on their early work (well, that of their predecessor, Timely Comics, to be more accurate). DC has many heroes from pre-WWII, while Marvel only has a handful of WWII heroes (i.e. Captain America). This work addresses those comments. The story tells the tale of 12 heroes, fighting against Hitler, in WWII, that get trapped and cryogenically frozen for 60 years. They are awoken in the modern Marvel Universe. Each of these characters actually appeared in books in the early 1940s. It isn't at all necessary to know this to enjoy the book, but it adds something special once you have learned this. The Twelve are: The Blue Blade, the Black Widow, Captain Wonder, Dynamic Man, Electro, the Fiery Mask, the Laughing Mask, Master Mind Excello, Mister E, the Phantom Reporter, Rockman, and the Witness. The predominant narrator is, appropriately, the Phantom Reporter - although the story does branch off into storylines for which the Phantom Reporter is not there - those tend to stay in third person. Chris Weston was the perfect choice for this book. As he demonstrated in "Red Menace" he has the ability to capture the time period. I look forward to the second volume, with issues 7-12.