Miracleman series discussion (spoilers)

[Bass]

Who has read this?

It's outstanding.

You can't buy the bloody thing. The issues (Alan Moore did #1-16) can't be found, and if you can, they're very expensive. The collected editions are even rarer and more expensive. You gotta download them.

But they are so worth it.

They are so good, I seriously considered buying #15 for 35 quid and #16 for 10 quid today. I really, really, almost did.

I own #1 and #2.

This series is too good not read. You all have to if you can.

If I could e-mail 11mb files (as opposed to 10) I could get a list of e-mails and just sned you the issues I downloaded.

They're amazing. Who else has read this series?

 

[Ultimate Gambit]

Bass I was wondering if you could give us on the site that haven't heard much about it. Like a run down on the series that would be a huge thank you if you did.

 

[Bass]

Sure. Give me a minute.

 

[Bass]

It opens in 1956.

Johnny Bates, aka Kid Miracleman, witnesses the arrival of the future Kommandant Garrer of the Science Gestapo and his Atomic Storm Troopers! They come from the improbable future of 1981!

Johnny Bates says his power word, "Miracleman!" and turns into Kid Miracleman, along with Dicky Dauntless who becomes Young Miracleman. Miky Moran says his keyword, "Kimota!" and becomes MIRACLEMAN!

And the trio fight and defeat the science gestapo! And then they sit around and laugh, hahahahaha!

Then it all freezes on the trio smiling.

"Behold", the panels, one by one, move closer into Miracleman's smiling, twinkling face "I teach you the superman:" closer into his eye "He is this lightning..." his eye "He is this madness!" The panel is his pupil.

That's page 11. The first time I read it, I nearly shat my pants. It's really ominous.

It's 1982. Mike Moran is having horrible dreams. He's flying, dressed like Miracleman, and something happens. An explosion? He wakes up and does his job, he's a reporter. He goes to report on an anti-nuclear power plant march at a power plant. People with machine guns show up and hold the place hostage.

Mike Moran remembers his keyword, "Kimota" and becomes Miracleman. He remembers. He tells his wife his origin, how the Astro-Physicist Guntag Borghelm gave him superpowers. His wife tells him it's a "bloody stupid" story.

Trying to make sense of things, he meets up with Johnny Bates who tells him they used to be the Miracle family. Johnny lost his powers and built himself a huge financial empire. But Johnny is harbouring a terrible secret...

The series is the most powerful superhero story I've read. You will never read a comic where the superheroes feel like Gods - terrifying yet beautiful.

The story marvellously twists and turns as we are gradually revealed the absolutely brilliant origin of Miracleman, and it ends in such a way, that you will realise everyone has been copying this thing for over 20 years.

The simple concepts - the power word, the bizarre villains, alien races - are taken to such levels of completion that they seem more believable and consistent than characters who have been written on a weekly basis for 40 years.

I don't want to spoil it for you too much. But #2, when Miracleman goes up against a villain of greater might, is terrifying as we really experience the power these characters possess. And #15 is so horrifically violent, it has yet to be topped. It nearly puts Ultimates vs Hulk to shame.

But for me, my personal favourite issue, is #16. The last page in particular, to me, is simply beautiful and transcendental. When I finished the issue, I just sat there, maybe 20 minutes, who knows, breathing it in.

It is honestly, my favourite comic work Alan Moore has ever done. Perhaps my favourite comic work I've ever read.

But then, maybe it's just me. It's not brilliant all the way through. The art isn't always good (though it starts off with a fantastic artist). Some points are kind of dull. But #16 is such a perfect ending... I can't help but love it.

Some people will no doubt find it dated.

For me, anything put next to it dates, and this remains eternal.

I cannot recommend it enough.

If only for Miracleman's origin. It's brilliant.

 

[ProjectX2]

I will download this later.

 

[Steve GMan]

How do you download them?

 

[ProjectX2]

How do you download them?

By being a Communist*.

























*Using Bit Torrent.

 

[Steve GMan]

It's a good thing I was always a firm believer in the theory of Communism.

Thanks, chap.

 

[Bass]

Just thought to myself - Grant Morrison's work (especially AS Superman #2, and his Animal Ran) have a similar emotional resonance to them. Not in a derivative way, just similar.

If people want to give me their e-mail address, I'll try to send it. Sadly, the first issue is more than 10mb (my attachment limit) but it may work? Any other ideas maybe?

 

[moonmaster]

I read a while ago about how Gaiman won the rights to the character, and he wants to republish the series and finish it under Marvel (and restore the name "Marvelman"). By the way, I haven't read it yet.

 

[Bass]

That's one rumour.

We'll have to see.

It needs to be in print.

 

[Ultimate_Bigby]

If people want to give me their e-mail address, I'll try to send it. Sadly, the first issue is more than 10mb (my attachment limit) but it may work? Any other ideas maybe?

You could split the file in 2.

That gives me an idea. Maybe we could share stuff that is hard to get, or that is no longer being published and we have.
*cheap plug* I can share stuff like 20th Century Boys or Monster *cheap plug*.

 

[Ultimate Gambit]

You could split the file in 2.

That gives me an idea. Maybe we could share stuff that is hard to get, or that is no longer being published and we have.
*cheap plug* I can share stuff like 20th Century Boys or Monster *cheap plug*.

Are you saying like a rare comic online trading post type thing?

 

[Bass]

You could split the file in 2.

It's a CBR file. I would have no idea how to.

 

[Ultimate_Bigby]

Are you saying like a rare comic online trading post type thing?

Yeah, something like that.

It's a CBR file. I would have no idea how to.

Just change the extention to RAR. It's the same.

 

[Bass]

Guh? How does that work?

 

[Ultimate_Bigby]

Guh? How does that work?

Change the name of the file from "randomname.cbr" to "randomname.rar".

It's because a CBR file is a RAR file modified to be opened with the CDisplay.

 

[Bass]

really, I'll try that now.

I'm in the chatroom bigby and perhaps I can talk to you there while I try it?

 

[Bass]

I have now, thanks to Ultimate Bigby, been able to reduce the file sizes.

Please send me an e-mail to [email protected].

Put "BASS, I WANT MIRACLEMAN!" as the subject line please so I can see it from the junk folder.

Thanks.

 

[Bass]

Bump.

Please e-mail me if you're interest asap. Put the subject line BIG CAPITALS or I won't see your message. Thanks.