10 Insane Alternate Multiverse Stories Marvel Fans Must Read
1. 1602
1602 was written by the legendary Neil Gaiman, and is a Marvel story unlike any other. Set in the year 1602, it features classic Marvel characters on varying sides of a royal plot in the Tudor era. Oh, and it has dinosaurs too. What’s not to love?
The dinosaurs feature as part of an Act III time travel arc, but the majority of the action takes place in the 17th Century, on Earth-313. While some characters are undoubtedly a little forced to fit the era, other choices are inspired; Rojhaz as a Native American warrior, blind minstrel Matthew Murdoch and alchemist Doctor Strange.
Though the comic won a lot of praise, TIME magazine labelled it the worst comic of the year. The justification was that we saw more of Gaiman’s goofy side than a Sandman level of mystique and gripping interest.
It is perhaps unfair to criticise 1602 against one of the generation's most important fantasy novels, but Gaiman’s name did invite those expectations.
If you go in expecting fun, you’ll be well rewarded. If you’re expecting Gaiman to deliver his magnum opus in a world where Peter Parquagh is Sir Nicholas Fury’s apprentice, you’ll be disappointed.