Marvel New Universe

[Justin_B]

Hi,
Apologies one and all if this has already been covered...
I tired but could not find any posts.

In the mid (ish) 80's Marvel published a new series of comics under the umbrella of 'New Universe', the new universe being like ours and without any of their existing cadre of superheroes.

I followed the series, I think about 5 differnt titles, for a while but lost track and have alway wondered what happened.

Anyone have any clues?

 

[Stylus]

This sounds familiar - I found some old copies of 'Spitfire and the Troubleshooters' a few years ago, which was a title from this 'New Universe'.

'Spitfire' was a red-headed university professor who inherited an experimental exo-suit when her father was murdered (the first story is tracking down his killers). The 'Troubleshooters' were a group of frat-boys who used advanced-technology to play pranks (and tended to idolise their teacher a bit too much, so joined in her quest).

Issue #1 had a message from Marvel's editor-in-chief, explaining what the series was about. Basically I think the idea was to create a universe that was more 'real' than other comics (the phrase that sticks in my mind was "if Superman lifts up a building, we ought to see the plumbing below"). Not a bad idea when you consider the appeal of recent 'grounded' superhero stories like Watchman, Heroes and the new Batman films.

I wasn't too impressed at the time because I was still young enough to want to see Spider-man kapow! his way through the villains. I would say that another problem was with the look of the comics - the art was good, but looked the same as the regular Marvel line, so there was no sense of distinction (just a lot of underpowered heroes and no Mighty Thor). Perhaps if they had gone with a more edgy look and feel, it would have done better.

For whatever reason, I think the entire line folded after just over a year. Certainly the last comic I read seemed to be wrapping up the story of 'Spitfire and the Troubleshooters' (and it got pretty brutal - after that, I don't think they needed to add 'and the Troubleshooters' to the title any more).

 

[Justin_B]

Thanks!
"Spitfire & the Trouble Shooters" wans't a title I followed.
It's been so long I can't remember what the heck they were all called.
Though I think one tile was "C7", a group of seven individuals - generally social misfits for one reason or another - who travelled together in a Winabago (no idea how to spell that).

Thanks again.

 

[dask]

Thanks!
"Spitfire & the Trouble Shooters" wans't a title I followed.
It's been so long I can't remember what the heck they were all called.
Though I think one tile was "C7", a group of seven individuals - generally social misfits for one reason or another - who travelled together in a Winabago (no idea how to spell that).

Thanks again.

Could that have been DP7?

 

[Justin_B]

Could that have been DP7?

Yes!.
Memory like a collander...

 

[Ursa major]

Could that have been DP7?

I'm glad that's cleared up: one has to wonder just who would buy a comic based on a telecommunications standard (aka SS7) or a size of paper.

 

[dask]

Anybody remember whether the failure of the New Universe in the 80s really cost Jim Shooter his job? That was the going theory in the comic shop I frequented at the time.