Marvel Time- A Realistic Expectation For Continuity

[Nate C.]

Lots of discussion going aorund about dating, time constraints, characters losing credibility and the such. I get it. Some people want their characters to age gracefully; others like the static nature of mythic figures; still others see the wonkiness of continuity and just want something to soothe their OCD nature. I really do get it. And I have a proposal-

Aproximately Four Books for all the major runs, (Spider-Man, FF, X-Men, Avengers, etc.) each tied to a specific time frame and/or style of continuity.

For example, Spider-Man.

Book One- Basically, what Ultimate Spider-Man is. A teen Spider-Man book (but without yet another universe. Just stories from the time when Peter was 15-20)

Book Two- Spider-Man, in his twenties, a young buck on the prowl. Lots of good stories to tell there.

Book Three- "Current Age" Spidey. Late twenties, early thirties, married, keep moving the continuity forward. Let Petey and MJ age and grow as characters from this point forward.

Book Four- Older Spidey- 40-60 something Spidey, ala DKR, with the wit typical of Spidey. Tell some stories that haven't been, couldn't have been told up to now.

For X-Men, I'd do the distinct eras of teams.

Classic X-Men, continuing to tell stories of the original members.

Wovie and Company-

Eighties X-Men

you get the idea.


I just think instead of four Spider-Man books, each dealing with current chronology, the ability to tell a current, fresh, exiting story is harder. Why not tell some of those stories from different time periods? I know that some of this has already been done (Chapter One, Classic X-Men), but I think a more concerted effort to streamline the books would work out really well.

what do you think?

[Beast]

Honestly, I don't think that idea would be too popular. There's a place for the occassion book or mini set in a different period of continuity... but each current book taking place at a different time, I don't think it would fly.

[Omega Alpha]

Honestly, I don't think that idea would be too popular. There's a place for the occassion book or mini set in a different period of continuity... but each current book taking place at a different time, I don't think it would fly.

Yes, i wouldn't be interested.

And Spider-Man's "Book Four" would certainly not sell very well.

[Nate C.]

Honestly, I don't think that idea would be too popular. There's a place for the occassion book or mini set in a different period of continuity... but each current book taking place at a different time, I don't think it would fly.


why not? Not enough age groups interested in "their Spidey"? Or something else? I'm curious.

[Nate C.]

And Spider-Man's "Book Four" would certainly not sell very well.

why not? I think an older aged Spidey would be an interesting read. But again, just suggestions. Do you have any?

[StoneGold]

"Just repeat to yourself 'it's just a show, I should really just relax!'"

[froma]

We have three of these already (Ultimate Spider-Man, the three core books, and Reign) and I'm sure a "First Class" type book featuring Pete will be out soon enough.

Would these stories all be set in 616? What would happen when the third book catches up to the fourth? How about the fact that the first two books, set in the past, would inevitably run into some continuity problems? Setting books in stone like that would actually mess more things up than it would fix.

[Tobias March]

"Just repeat to yourself 'it's just a show, I should really just relax!'"

Watched the Godzilla episode last night :D Ah memories.

[Strannik]

Lots of discussion going aorund about dating, time constraints, characters losing credibility and the such. I get it. Some people want their characters to age gracefully; others like the static nature of mythic figures; still others see the wonkiness of continuity and just want something to soothe their OCD nature. I really do get it. And I have a proposal-

Aproximately Four Books for all the major runs, (Spider-Man, FF, X-Men, Avengers, etc.) each tied to a specific time frame and/or style of continuity.

For example, Spider-Man.

Book One- Basically, what Ultimate Spider-Man is. A teen Spider-Man book (but without yet another universe. Just stories from the time when Peter was 15-20)

Book Two- Spider-Man, in his twenties, a young buck on the prowl. Lots of good stories to tell there.

Book Three- "Current Age" Spidey. Late twenties, early thirties, married, keep moving the continuity forward. Let Petey and MJ age and grow as characters from this point forward.

Book Four- Older Spidey- 40-60 something Spidey, ala DKR, with the wit typical of Spidey. Tell some stories that haven't been, couldn't have been told up to now.

For X-Men, I'd do the distinct eras of teams.

Classic X-Men, continuing to tell stories of the original members.

Wovie and Company-

Eighties X-Men

you get the idea.


I just think instead of four Spider-Man books, each dealing with current chronology, the ability to tell a current, fresh, exiting story is harder. Why not tell some of those stories from different time periods? I know that some of this has already been done (Chapter One, Classic X-Men), but I think a more concerted effort to streamline the books would work out really well.

what do you think?

I don't think there is really a need for the fourth set. There is no demand for it and I don't see how it could even sustain itself outside a limited series.

My idea would be to do two sets.

Real Time Marvel Universe - Doesn't have to have Valiant-Universe-like direct correlation, but time should definitely progress. Most importantly, the stories would be building toward an actual ending that brings closure to the characters and ongoing plots. The characters would still be free to show up in other books once their stories wrap up, of course.

Sliding Timescale Marvel Universe - same as right now.

You can make Ultimate Universe the former and Marvel Universe the later - or vice versa. Either way, pick a universe with real time and stick with it. Now, some might say this might not be popular, but finite approach has worked for manga (even CLAMP's output, which exists in Image-esque multiverse).

[Tazirai]

why not? I think an older aged Spidey would be an interesting read. But again, just suggestions. Do you have any?

I think The reason Spidey , as an example appeals to readers is because of his relatability. an older spiderman book would do well not as a series but a Mini series. I know older men 60's 70's that still read comics. But they still relate to the Optimism of the youthful spidey.
An older spider would basically tell young readers "You in 40 years", and tells older readers "you now".
People dont want to see a continuing series about being old, call it vanity, but it's true. Thats why NO major superhero will ever age.

In 100 years, Batmans parents wont have been killed by some random thug with a pop pistol. They'll have been killed by some random thug with a laser blaster.