by Rick Remender, John Ostrander, Stuart Moore, Rob Williams, Andrea Mutti, & Koi TurnbullPublisher: Marvel (January 12, 2011)
Hardcover, 128 pages
A bittersweet story from the Marvel universe about a man who tries
to stop a mugging, is forced to eat toxic medical waste, and gains superpowers
- don't think about it too much, just let it go. Written by a host of classic
authors, each issue grabs the reader, offers a different villain, and does not
hold back. Something that sadly missing in the modern Marvel lineup.
As it turns out, his new powers exacerbates an undiagnosed cancer
lying in his stomach, causing it to grow at an incredible rate. Mr. Fantastic
gives him only a month to live. In that time, this once depressed man in a
boring life suddenly gets kicked into the land of superheroes. With his new
powers to affect matter he defeats gangsters with Spiderman, saves the Galaxy
against Ego, the Living Planet, and travels into the depths of the Savage Land
with Ka-Zar. All the while the cancer chews him up more with every power
expenditure.
The action is counterpointed by a man coming to grips that his
life us going to end. He has to weight that against taking care of his orphaned
niece who's own Father died of cancer. It's an over the top story with a heart
and tragic ending, but still one that inspires hope. Perhaps written in the
best tradition of the old school comics. It makes a point but isn't preachy.
For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.
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