Earth X

The story presented in Earth X is epic, but therein lay its weakness. First, to understand and perhaps enjoy the story, the reader must know a great deal about Marvel's entire catalog. Secondly, the story is multifaceted, and can easily become confusing. Some of the panels are so cluttered, it's difficult to follow the action. But the comic's greatest weakness is it is way too talky. So much of the story is told rather than shown, it feels like it should just be a novel. Long speeches and even longer descriptions (especially in each chapter's epilogue) just bog down everything. It's a bit of a slog, and the high points don't overcome the work to reach them. It is an interesting story, but hardly worth the effort.

By now, most avid Marvel readers are overly familiar with the Marvel family of characters, as well as plot lines, sub-plot lines and virtually any attempt at a fresh tale falls--well, maybe not flat, but short of what it could be. This is where Alex Ross and Jim Krueger excelled, creating an entirely new story of epic proportion, filled with sub-plots that intrigue and support the overall story quite well; dozens of Marvel figures--well known and some not so well known--are able to come together for a truly unique tale that is both intelligent and lengthy (which really is the only complaint I'd have...it's perhaps a bit too long).Earth X is the first in chronology, and the strongest of the trilogy, citing the importance of magnitude and intimacy to create a story that is both massive in scale and scope but appropriately detailed and humble in characters and their individual stories; incredible. The manner in which these characters and their lives intertwine and flow to create a larger story is unbelievable, an undertaking that I--as a writer--can only speculate about in regards to planning, outlines and overall attention to detail. Once again; incredible.One could probably read Earth X and stop there, but both the Universe X and Paradise X series are worth continuing through, and although Krueger couldn't get the go-ahead for his originally planned ending for the trilogy, it resolves itself quite well regardless. There are phenomenal voices used in these books, and the concepts are fresh and inviting. Even when the execution isn't realized in full, the attempt is worth applauding. More writers in the comic-book industry should be citing these stories as inspiration to tell their own bold stories, relying on the depth of the universe and anything-can-happen luxuries for material, as opposed to tried-and-true (yet slightly banal) conventions. Honestly, writers shouldn't stop at comics for this (calling Hollywood), but keeping in context, clearly we've hit a point where, as readers, we can more often than not anticipate that a character never really dies, or not for long; cities and civilizations are never in peril for more than a handful of issues; a character's happiness is only as lasting as the current arc; etc. A few other story lines have tried shaking the snow-globe over the years (Killing Joke, Ultimatum for example) and certainly not always with satisfied effect, but my hat is tipped to those who try. In the case of the Earth/Universe/Paradise X team, I am grateful for and tremendously happy with the final product.A must own for any true Marvel (or comic) fan, a worthwhile read for anyone bold enough to take the time that it will take to get through the full story, and a fantastic effort to remind the world how comics are relevant, interesting, capable of communicating intelligence and ethical/moral dilemmas of a complex nature. Drop the money, pay for rushed shipping and tell your friends or family you're going to be busy reading for a few days.

EARTH X is very thoughtfully written book, illustrated by the painter Alex Ross. If you know vague Marvel Unverse history at all, you can easily follow it in delight as a person who knows a lot of backstory already. Even if some of the characters are unfamiliar to you, the story explains itself as it goes along. This one concentrates a lot on the "Big Players"--The Watcher (who is either a very interesting being or a real jerk, read it & decide), The Celestials, Galactus, Eternity, Mephisto, the Eternals, Norse & Greek Gods, etc., but even the street level guys like DD & especially Spidey aren't left out. The spirit of Lee & Kirby is very much alive in "Earth X", but basically it postulates an Earth where "supers" are redundant, because everyone has superpowers. Captain America is still fighting for "freedom", but he's doing so for / against a people who don't really want freedom. As an American, I respect the Office of the President even if the current Prez ain't my guy, but I respect the spirit of the Constitution and Tommy Jefferson more. Ultimately, to me, Cap might as well be a real person, because before I died or killed for my country. I would always ask "What would Cap do?" He is my personal Commander in Chief, and he's a major player in "Earth X". It's not the kind of graphic novel you consume in a day; there's a lot of narrative prose between chapters, which supports the illustrated tale. If the familiar characters seem a little "off" at first, give it a chance to grow on you. This is not an "alternate Marvel Earth"--this is easily what that world could evolve into, without going outside the bounds of "mainstream Marvel universe".

I purchase this book last year, however I just started to read it last week. Gotta admit... IT WAS REALLY COOL!!!. Jim Krueger and Alex Ross gave us a totally different view and situations for the Marvel Heros Universe. I'm not familiarized with Marvel mithology (I'm more of a DC fan) but the way this book goes from charatcer to character makes really easy to understand the backround and subsequent story of each character. Is not perfect though. I have a lot of questions of my own, but that doesn't take that this is a great book. Can't wait to see the rest.UPDATE 21/June/2010Last year I got the rest of the Earth X saga... Universe X 1 and 2 and Paradise X 1 and 2. I even got the Companion. Given that, and now that I got time, I read Earth X again, and I just loved even more.Get this book. It worth the $20 for more than 400 pages. Plus the story will catch from the begining, even if you are a Marvel guy or not.

Lots to follow, overwhelming at times, but a very fun read. If you're a fan of the Marvel staples, pick this one up.

I'd never heard of this story before, it was Alex Ross's name that drew me to it. While I was at first disappointed that only the covers of the issues were Ross's handiwork, and further disappointed that the art looked like Batman Year One, this story turned out better than expected. I love a good dystopian future, and this one did not disappoint. The first issue hooked me , the first pages hooked me. The art is nothing special but story matters here, I am impressed.