The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe (Marvel Comics) #1
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the FIRST issue of The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe!
What happens when you bring together the Muppets AND the heroes from the Marvel Universe? It’s a recipe that’s sure to cause some chaos along with some laughs! Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics
The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe #1 by Chip Zdarsky, Pete Woods, Mackenzie Cadenhead, David Baldeon, Yen Nitro, Ashley Allen, Chef Paul Carmichael, Paco Medina, Kyle Starks, Mike Henderson, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Athila Fabbio, Mike Atiyeh, Adam F Goldberg, EJ Su, Martin Biro, VC’s Joe Caramanga, Nick Bradshaw, Rachelle Rosenberg
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
This anthology issue is one that when I saw it was coming I realized I hadn’t thought of this pairing before and I was ashamed I hadn’t. It takes two of the most recognizable ensemble casts and puts them together for six incredible stories that are sure to delight fans of both franchises.
The “Greatest Show (Not) On Earth” takes up a bulk of the issue and is my favorite one of the issue. In it we see The Muppets taking part in their variety show to mixed results. During said performance, Rowlf the Dog is taken and a note left behind. What follows is a crossover of epic proportions.
The Muppets end up crossing over into the Marvel Universe through some hilarious circumstances on the search for Rowlf. The writing in the issue is exceptional and features a couple of meetings that when they occur I couldn’t help but laugh at the potential or go be amazed at because it’s a team with some incredible potential. You can definitely tell about the care and time that went into crafting the story for the issue. There are so many moments in it that I was laughing out loud at that it made me want to re-read the story again.
The other five stories are as equally good as the first one, but not nearly long in length but still great in quality. Some highlights include a moment between Beaker, Hank Pym and Bruce Banner that leads to some hilarious results. Wolverine & Animal together with the Electric Mayhem band, and much much more! There really is something in the issue for everyone and it is truly a delight to read from start to finish. Don’t worry, Statler & Waldorf are in the issue and they do have some incredible moments that feel so naturally them.
The Artwork
The entire creative team for the artwork did an incredible job with the artwork throughout the issue. Blending together the Muppets and Marvel heroes is bringing together two different styles of entertainment that couldn’t be further from each other. However the style in which they’re brought together in works so incredibly well and there are several moments that really stood out to me as spectacular moments. Beaker in one of the later stories is one, because holy cow I need to see a one shot issue of that. Another is Wolverine and Animal which is a match that would make a great mini-series if I’m being honest. The artwork is truly incredible from start to finish and does a great job paying homage to both Marvel and the Muppets.
Overall Grade: 9/10
A great issue that is an incredible crossover that will delight fans of both franchises. A joy to read from start to finish with six incredible stories, together with artwork that is simply spectacular this is an issue you can’t pass up reading.
