REVIEW: Maybe Pass on AMAZING FANTASY #1
In Amazing Fantasy #1 by Kaare Kyle Andrews and Joe Sabino, a trio of established Marvel Comics characters (at particular points in their personal chronologies) find themselves in a strange new world filled with monsters. This story regurgitates one classic comic trope after another, but by the conclusion of the issue, I was left wondering what I got out of this book that I couldn’t have gotten out of the classic Amazing Fantasy comics.
Amazing Fantasy #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
Amazing Fantasy
The original Amazing Fantasy is an important series for Marvel Comics. Back in Amazing Fantasy #15, the Amazing Spider-Man made his debut. In fact, I know you’ve seen this cover by the unstoppable team of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Marvel Blog True Believers, even if only in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Amazing Fantasy #15. Photo: Marvel
The anthology series would tell different pulpy genre stories in each issue, and in the early days, it was known by other names, like Amazing Adult Fantasy, which told more sophisticated science fiction stories, which would really make you think!
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- Amazing Adult Fantasy. Photo: Marvel
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- Amazing Adult Fantasy. Photo: Marvel
Amazing Fantasy (2021)
Unfortunately, not much thinking is required by Amazing Fantasy #1 (2021). All three heroes are brought to a new world by some mysterious force, then they fight monsters there… at the very least, it did make for some good art.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Mostly, the whole issue felt like very straightforward genre stuff, with many panels and story beats that echo the classic genre tropes. Unfortunately, also in the vein of classic genre, there is a fatphobic joke about needing to eat a salad that is just outdated, especially in 2021.
There is no subversion of these classic tropes to be found in the story, only the repetition. It is clear that Andrews is a big fan of the classic genre stories, but attempting to replicate them without adding any personal flair causes this issue to fall flat.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Maybe this was just a set up issue, and something big is coming, but I need more of a reason than this simply being a Marvel comic to come back to this run. However, you may feel differently!
Back to the LCS!
I can’t say I’ll be returning for Amazing Fantasy #2, Marvel Blog True Believers… and if you’re heading to your local comic shop any time soon, I would recommend passing on this one and instead searching through some of the long boxes for one of the older Marvel Comics they have on sale. If nothing else, the advertisements in these old issues are plenty of fun!
Amazing Fantasy #1 (2004). Photo: Marvel
Did you get a chance to pick up Amazing Fantasy #1? If so, did you score one of the variant covers? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section!
