Thursday, December 05, 2024

I love Sergio, but his Spidey just seems wrong somehow.

I wish I had some old Mad's handy to check, if he drew him like that after the movies! From 1996, Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel #1, written by Mark Evanier, art by Sergio Aragonés.
Huh, this was the same year as Marvel's bankruptcy...I'm sure that's just a coincidence, and am also sure Evanier and Aragonés have probably made that joke before, too! The duo visit Marvel's offices to pitch a new book, but everyone seems to be out; so while Mark takes a nap (and dreams of working with another artist!) Sergio takes it upon himself to draw all of Marvel's comics, to get them back on schedule! And he can do it, too, by eschewing time-consuming constraints "like perspective and anatomy!" (Marvel was way ahead of him there!)
The Fantastic Four story, "Behold...a Pale Imitation!" is probably my favorite, as Sue, Ben, and Johnny argue about whose turn it is to quit the team. They're also shocked when Reed isn't dead, that's their other plot! The Spidey story is also fun, as our hero mopes over his sad life: mean editor, hot wife, aunt just died at the age of 137...The Silver Surfer has similiar gripes, but they and various others are captured by "the Seagoing Soarer!" Captain America and the Avengers bag out, as Cap has had enough of modern society and frozen himself, and the rest of the team join him.
In the final battle with the Soarer, the Hulk pulls Sergio into the story; and the Soarer reveals himself to be...you can probably guess, but I won't say: it took Mark nine days for that bit! Later, when the Bullpen returns, they're less than thrilled with Sergio's comics, or the fact that he used up all the paper! They're given the boot, but you know, it's not like Marvel was the only game in town...

3 comments:

  1. Mr. Morbid6:56 AM

    I definitely envy Cap & the Avengers here bc I’d love to put myself & my family in suspended animation for the next 4 years…longer if Trump’s somehow still president after 2028.

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  2. Doesn’t look like it but, have you done the DC or Star Wars version of this yet? I don’t know if there was a reason but Sergio did all of those within the same year.

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  3. Anonymous1:26 PM

    Good question!

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