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It’s been a little while since Marvel took a meta look at its characters via spectacular art. But Amazing Fantasy by Kaare Andrews is here to fill that gap with a what looks to be a pulpy what-if that harkens back to primordial adventure.

For those who like old school pulp comics, the first cover screams “homage” from the canvas texture used to the Frank Frazetta-esque poses and critters. “Amazing Fantasy” is, of course, the title of one of the original Marvel anthologies, one in which Spider-Man made his debut in the 15th issue. However prior to that bombshell, it featured short weird/SF/fantasy stories of the type common in that era, many written by Stan Lee and drawn by Steve Ditko.

That makes this title a natural for this kind of update. The new five-issue Amazing Fantasy mini series will “blend different Marvel eras and genres for one epic adventure starring Captain America, Spider-Man, and Black Widow.” Andrews is an award-winning creator known for his work on things like Spider-Man: Reign and Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One, and he definitely has the enthusiasm and chops to take on this romp.

Red Room Black Widow, teenage Spider-Man, World War II Captain America — the most iconic versions of your favorite Marvel characters from across time and space all wake up on an island of intrigue, darkness and…Amazing Fantasy. Are they dead? Are they dreaming? Or have they truly been transported to another fantastical realm? And is there any way for them to return home? This isn’t just a love letter to your favorite Marvel eras, it’s a reinvestment in the seminal characters you’ve always loved, plucked from their quintessential timelines. 

“My very first memories of reading anything, even before I could read words, were of holding a Marvel comic in my hands at the age of four, ” said Andrews in a statement. “I had no idea what the characters were saying, but I was enchanted with the story told through pictures. It is a thrill to return to a new Marvel limited series, writing and drawing not just my favorite characters–but my favorite versions of those characters. I just had to come up with a plan to put WWII Captain America, teenaged Spidey and spy school Black Widow into the same adventure.

“This is a story that combines not just different Marvel eras but different art styles to depict them. As a creator, sometimes you want to invent new heroes and villains to expand the universe into different places or ideas, but sometimes there is an even greater power in embracing what has come before. In telling fresh and passionate tales with heroes that an audience has already invested a lifetime in. There is a beating heart to these archetypes. And they need to live again!”

According to Marvel: “This is the one you’ve been waiting for, True Believers!” And indeed the sample pages look totally awesome.

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