The first focuses on the original Human Torch and Namor and is set around World War II in New York City. If you get the trade you will notice that it is split into different sections with each section focusing on a different character's story. Through Ross' incredible ability to depict realism through painted art, and through Busiek's psychological exploration of these characters: that's what makes it feel as if these characters could simply jump off the pages and exist in our reality.

Namor can fly, the Human Torch can light himself on fire by simply being exposed to oxygen, but the stories within the pages of MARVELS somehow feel so grounded that the characters feel like they actually exist, or could exist in our regular world. Yes, these characters can do incredible things. In it he explains that sure, when he first created these Marvel characters he intended that his characters and stories be 'injected with realism' by using real cities, (like New York, for example) real buildings and the like but that it wasn't until MARVELS that the characters really felt authentic. Stan covers a lot of what makes this particular story so compelling in his forward for the book. The forward, for example, is written by Stan Lee: the man who created all these fantastic (no pun intended) characters. One of the great things about this particular trade are some of the extras you will find within its pages.

The language is beautiful and the layout of Ross's panels and art that compliment this story? In a word: it is breathtaking. That is why reading MARVELS is essential to your comics reading: within the pages of Busiek and Alex Ross' story is the exploration of characters we all know and love on a far deeper level. Within the first few pages of Kurt Busiek's story the original Human Torch begs an existential question: is it fair that he is given life only to be denied the chance to actually live? Further, what is his role in the grand scheme of things? The Torch's moment of imprisonment isn't something that lasts very long, but the scenes and the language are indicative of a deeper story: a story of understanding, one that explores the psyches of these superheroes and allows readers to comprehend them on a far deeper level.

'Was it right that I should be given life, only to be placed in eternal imprisonment? To be tantalized with knowledge of the world, and denied the chance to savor it?'

Marvels busiek ross