Miracleman: The Silver Age Is the Perfect Opportunity to Get into “the Greatest Superhero Story of All Time”

Marvel’s Miracleman: The Silver Age trade is the perfect opportunity to get into what has been called “one of the greatest superhero stories of all time.” After obtaining the rights to the legendary Miracleman in the 2010s, Marvel has published not only reprints of the ground-breaking Alan Moore run, but also allowed Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham to finally finish The Silver Age, and now it is available in graphic novel format.

In an exciting trailer posted on Marvel’s YouTube page, the publisher gave fans a quick run-through of the highly acclaimed series. The trailer, set to vibrant music, shows Miracleman and the rest of the Miracle-Family as they take on some of their most nefarious foes. Peppered throughout the trailer are quotes from various journalists and publications, all praising the story.

Mid-way through the trailer, Marvel makes the declaration that it is one of the greatest superhero stories ever told.

Miracleman Has One of Comics’ Greatest Legacies

Both Alan Moore and Neil Gaima Cut Their Teeth Writing Miracleman

Marvel’s assessment of Miracleman and his impact is spot-on. Created by British artist Mick Anglo, Miracleman was designed to be a fill-in for Shazam once L. Miller and Sons lost the rights to the character. Miracelman ran until 1963, and might have slipped into obscurity, if not for Alan Moore. Moore, who had yet to establish himself as a superstar, completely upended everything fans thought they knew about Miracleman. Moore’s radical take helped usher in an era of “revisionist” superheroes. Moore’s work on Miracleman also helped him get his foot into the door of the American comics’ scene as well.

Once Moore finished his run with the character, Neil Gaiman (still a few years away from his breakthrough The Sandman) and Mark Buckingham began a new run on Miracleman, called The Silver Age. Highly anticipated in its day, The Silver Age was unfortunately bogged down by extensive legal issues, and was never finished. The rights to Miracleman languished for nearly 20 years, until Marvel purchased the character in 2009. Gaiman even went so far as to donate proceeds from 1602 to get the rights to Miracleman back. Under Marvel, Gaiman and Buckingham have been able to finish The Silver Age.

Miracleman’s Story Is Finished–For Now

Miracleman Is Too Awesome a Character To Stay Gone

Now, with The Silver Age completed, the saga of Miracleman has come to an end–for now. Marvel has not only reprinted all of Alan Moore’s run, but have also re-released several volumes of Anglo’s original material. Taken together, it creates a vast, sweeping story of a man who finds himself caught up in circumstances far beyond his control. He learns everything he knew was a lie, and yet retains his heroic nature. Miracleman helped usher in the modern era of comics, and thanks to titles like The Silver Age, remains relevant to this day.

Source: Marvel

Miracleman: The Silver Age is on sale now from Marvel Comics!