View source for Marvel 1602

{{Short description|Limited series from Marvel Comics by Neil Gaiman}}
{{Infobox comic book title
| image               = Marvel 1602.jpg
| caption             = Cover to ''1602'' #8, featuring from left to right: [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matthew Murdoch]], [[Virginia Dare]], [[Captain America|Rojhaz]], [[Nick Fury|Sir Nicholas Fury]], and [[Jean Grey|"John" Grey]]. The scene was based on a famous sketch of the men involved in the [[Gunpowder Plot|Gunpowder Plot of 1605]] against [[James VI and I|King James]].<ref name="MK">McKowen, Scott. "Cover Process", from ''Marvel 1602'': page 3.</ref>
| schedule            = Monthly
| limited             = y
| publisher           = [[Marvel Comics]]
| date                = November [[2003 in comics|2003]] – June [[2004 in comics|2004]]
| issues              = 8
| AltHistory          = first
| Superhero           = y
| multigenre          = y
| main_char_team      =
| writers             = [[Neil Gaiman]]
| artists             = [[Andy Kubert]]<br>[[Scott McKowen]] (covers)
| pencillers          =
| inkers              =
| letterers           =
| colorists           = [[Richard Isanove]]
| creative_team_month =
| creative_team_year  =
| creators            =
| subcat              = Marvel Comics
| sort                = Marvel 1602
| TPB                 = [[#Plot|1602]]
| ISBN                = 0-7851-4134-0
| TPB1                = [[1602: New World]]
| ISBN1               = 0-7851-1494-7
| TPB2                = [[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four|1602: Fantastick Four]]
| ISBN2               = 0-7851-2293-1
| TPB3                = [[Spider-Man: 1602|1602: Spider-Man]]
| ISBN3               = 0-7851-2817-4
| TPB4                = [[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)#Warzones|1602: Witch Hunter Angela]]
| ISBN4               = 0-7851-9860-1
}}
'''''Marvel 1602''''', or simply '''''1602''''', is an eight-issue [[comic book]] [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] published in 2003 by [[Marvel Comics]]. The limited series was written by [[Neil Gaiman]], penciled by [[Andy Kubert]], and digitally painted by [[Richard Isanove]]; [[Scott McKowen]] illustrated the distinctive [[scratchboard]] covers. The eight-part series takes place in a timeline where Marvel superheroes exist in the [[Elizabethan era]]; faced with the destruction of their world by a mysterious force, the heroes must fight to save their universe. Many of the early Marvel superheroes—[[Nick Fury]], the [[X-Men]], the [[Fantastic Four]], and [[Spider-Man]]—as well as villains such as [[Doctor Doom]] and [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] appear in various roles.

Neil Gaiman had always been a fan of Marvel, and editor [[Joe Quesada]] approached Gaiman to work on a project which eventually evolved into ''1602''. The success of the comic led to three sequels, entitled ''[[1602: New World]]'', ''[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four]]'', and ''[[Spider-Man: 1602]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/26384/spider-man_1602_2009_1|title=Spider-Man 1602 (2009) #1|website=Marvel Entertainment|access-date=2019-05-17}}</ref> There is also a short story, "Son of the Dragon", starring the 1602 version of the [[Hulk]] in the second issue of ''Hulk: Broken Worlds''. In ''1602: Witchhunter Angela'' of Marvel's 2015 ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' event, [[Angela (character)|Angela]] appears as a hunter of witchbreed ([[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutant]]s).

The pocket reality seen at the end of the limited series in which the continuing Marvel 1602 universe takes place is classified as '''Earth-311'''. The series was loosely adapted into the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) / [[Disney+]] series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' episode "[[What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?]]" in 2023.

==Development==
===Background===
[[Neil Gaiman]] stated in an afterword to the series that he had always viewed the Marvel universe as "magic".<ref name="neil pg 1"/> The editors of ''1602'', Nick Lowe and [[Joe Quesada]], approached Gaiman after Quesada became Marvel's Editor in Chief with the intent for Gaiman to work on a project for Marvel. Gaiman eventually agreed to write a Marvel comic in August 2001, although he was not sure what it would contain.<ref name="neil pg 1">[[Neil Gaiman|Gaiman, Neil]] (30 June 2004). "Afterword", from ''Marvel 1602'': page 1.</ref> When the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] occurred, Gaiman decided that he did not want planes, skyscrapers, bombs or guns in his comic. "I didn't want it to be a war story, and I didn't want to write a story in which might made right—or in which might made anything."<ref name="neil pg 1"/> On a trip to Venice soon after, Gaiman was struck by how the "past seemed very close at hand"; he returned from the trip knowing the story he wanted to tell.<ref name="neil pg 2">[[Neil Gaiman|Gaiman, Neil]] (30 June 2004). "Afterword", from ''Marvel 1602'': p.2.</ref> The time was chosen because "it was a nice place to set the story. It gave me America and it gave me a lot of things that I wanted in terms of the way the world was changing. It also gave me the sense of wonder and magic."<ref name="press conference"/>

Gaiman described writing the series as odd, since he had not written comics in half a decade; the story was trimmed down significantly as the size went from six 36-page chapters to eight 22-page segments. He also wanted to write a comic that was different from ''[[The Sandman (comic book)|The Sandman]]'', his most recognized work. The profits of the series went to help fund his Marvels and Miracles LLC company, which was fighting for the rights to [[Marvelman]].<ref name="press conference">{{cite web| last= Weiland| first= Jonah |date=2003-06-27 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2406|title= Marvel's '1602' Press Conference|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]| access-date= 2008-02-18}}</ref>

===Illustration===
[[Image:Marvel-1602-pencil-sides.png|left|thumb|Kubert's pencils (top) contrasted with the finished panel]]
Unlike usual penciled pages, ''Marvel 1602'' used a technique called "enhanced pencils", whereby the finished pencil drawings are sent straight to the colorist instead of to an inker first.<ref name=pencils>[[Nick Lowe|Lowe, Nick]]. "Pencils", from ''Marvel 1602''.</ref> This technique had been used before on Kubert's ''[[Origin (comics)|Origin]]'', and results in cleaner and more elaborate lines.<ref name=pencils/>

Editor Nick Lowe noticed theater posters done by [[Scott McKowen]] and decided that the "engraving 'look' of the scratchboard would be interesting for the historical setting of this story."<ref name="MK-1">McKowen, Scott. "Cover Process", from ''Marvel 1602'': page 1.</ref> [[Scratchboard]] is a technique where a sharp knife is used to scrape through a layer of black ink to a hard chalk surface underneath; in effect, artists draw white lines on an all-black surface. All McKowen's illustrations were done by hand and then colored later in [[Photoshop]].<ref name="MK-1"/> For inspiration, McKowen looked at 17th-century engravings. He also added scrolls or flags to the covers for the ''Marvel 1602'' titles, basing the designs on [[Renaissance painting]]s where scrolls are used to comment on the scenes depicted.<ref name="MK-2">McKowen, Scott. "Cover Process", from ''Marvel 1602'': page 2.</ref>

The hardbound edition features a scratchboard illustration depicting the main characters whispering discreetly to each other on the cover. According to McKowen, the image was inspired by a depiction of the masterminds behind the "[[Gunpowder Plot]]", an attempt to blow up Parliament during the reign of King James.<ref name="MK-2"/> Since the characters of the story are all traitors in the eyes of King James, they were drawn in a similar fashion.<ref name="MK-2"/>

==Synopsis==
===Premise===
In the year 1602 in the [[Marvel Universe]], for an unknown reason, [[superhero]]es have appeared about 400 years early.<ref name="press conference"/> They were born and bred in this era and some hold important positions in high places. When the characters come to realize that something is wrong with the universe, the heroes must solve the mystery behind their own existence, while dealing with intrigue at the courts of [[Elizabeth I]] and [[James VI and I|James]].

===Plot===
All over [[Europe]], strange weather provokes panic, with many believing that the unnatural occurrences are the beginning of the [[Apocalypse]]. Dr. [[Stephen Strange]], the court physician of [[Elizabeth I]], senses that there are unnatural forces at work. He has also been asked to watch over the secret treasure of the [[Knights Templar]] which is being brought to [[England]] from [[Jerusalem]]. Elizabeth tasks her head of intelligence, [[Nick Fury|Sir Nicholas Fury]], to bring the treasure—believed to be a weapon—to England safely. Fury in turn contracts [[Visual impairment|blind]] [[minstrel]] and agent [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matthew Murdoch]] to rendezvous with the Templar guard somewhere in Europe and secure the weapon. Later that evening, Fury and his assistant [[Peter Parquagh]] are attacked by an assassin whom Fury disables and locks in the [[Tower of London]].

Meanwhile, the ship ''Virginia Maid'' arrives in England from the [[New World]], carrying the young [[Virginia Dare]], the first child born in [[Roanoke Colony]], as well as her Native American bodyguard Rojhaz. They are taken to meet the Queen only for a [[Vulture (Marvel Comics)|second winged assassin]] to snatch Virginia. Rohjaz quickly disables the attacker, but not before Virginia transforms into a white [[Griffin|gryphon]]. Rojhaz subdues Virginia, and Strange bespells her to human form before Fury sees her. Dare's powers cause Strange to suspect that she is the cause of the disastrous weather. Fury interrogates the imprisoned assassin to learn who sent him. He is told that it is [[Doctor Doom|Count Otto von Doom]], ruler of [[Latveria]], but Fury is too late to stop one of Doom's machines from killing Elizabeth with a poison gas released by dropping a pill into [[aqua regia]].

Upon Elizabeth's death, [[James VI and I|James VI]] becomes ruler of both England and [[Scotland]]. James is distrustful of [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|"witchbreed"]], those with magical or uncanny powers, and collaborates with Spanish High Inquisitor [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Enrique]] to blame the witchbreed of England, headed by [[Professor X|Carlos Javier]], for Elizabeth's death. Fury, a friend of Javier and [[X-Men|his students]], is forced to take the witchbreed to the Tower. Strange, Javier, and Fury meet and discuss how to save the world; an act which will almost surely lead to them being branded traitors by James. Strange learns that [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Natasha]], a fellow agent, has betrayed Murdoch and the Templar agent Donal to Doom. Strange also learns that Doom has been holding captive [[Fantastic Four|four heroes from the ship ''Fantastick'']], including Fury's friend [[Mister Fantastic|Sir Richard Reed]]. Javier agrees to help Fury, and the party sets out on a ship levitated by Javier and his page [[Jean Grey|John Grey]] across the continent.

Strange meanwhile finds himself on the moon where he meets the Watcher [[Uatu]], who tells him that the strange events are due to an anomaly he calls the Forerunner. The Forerunner is from the future and its presence in the past has disrupted reality to the point of impending annihilation of not only Strange's world but all other universes as well. Explaining his theory that the emergence of various superhumans on Stephen's Earth four hundred years before their season is the result of the universe trying to save itself, the Watcher tells Strange that he will not be able to repeat what he has learned while he lives.

Fury, Javier, and his students launch a successful attack on Doom's fortress; John Grey, revealed to be female, dies from her exertions in keeping the ship intact. The Four of the ''Fantastick'' are freed, and Doom is horribly scarred when lightning strikes a golden ball that he believes is the Templar's treasure. In fact, the true treasure is Donal's walking stick, which when struck on the ground transforms into the hammer Mjolnir and Donal into the Norse god [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]. The ship of fugitives heads for the New World. In [[Spain]], Enrique is exposed as both a witchbreed and a Jew, and sentenced to be burned at the stake with his young acolytes, [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Petros]] and [[Scarlet Witch|Sister Wanda]]. Using his powers, Enrique frees himself and his acolytes, and they escape on a ship of their own, also bound for [[North America|America]].

Strange is executed by James, who is furious that Fury and the witchbreed escaped him. Now no longer constrained by the Watcher's oath, Strange communicates telepathically with his wife [[Clea Strange|Clea]]. He informs her that the Forerunner is the cause of the anomalies and that universal salvation depends on its transport back to its time; she takes his head from its pike at the Tower of London and sets off for America with Virginia and Rojhaz. Clea voices her opinion that Strange's suspicions were wrong, and that the Forerunner is not Virginia. Rojhaz confirms this, revealing himself to be [[Steve Rogers]]. After fighting against a 21st-century [[dictatorship]] led by a [[Purple Man|President for Life]], Rogers was captured and sent back in time so as to completely erase his legacy. He was taken in by Native Americans who misheard his name; upon encountering the struggling Roanoke colony, he helped it survive and became Virginia's bodyguard.

Fury and company arrive at the Roanoke colony, where they discover the rift through which Rogers arrived. Javier senses three ships incoming: the ''Virginia Maid'', Enrique's ship, and a ship carrying James's agents, among them his advisor [[Hulk|David Banner]] and Parquagh, who has been coerced into loyalty. Realizing that the rift is radiating [[electromagnetism|"galvanic" energy]], Javier enlists Enrique to manipulate the rift in exchange for an unspecified boon. Donal summons Thor once more, enabling the necessary input of energy to open the rift again. On the beach, Fury kills all of James's agents except for Parquagh and Banner. In England, Murdoch threatens James with death should he harm Fury. Rogers refuses to go back through the rift, hoping to build a better America. Fury incapacitates him and carries the body back through the rift, thus going into the future himself.

The rift and the universe restore themselves, meaning the destruction of the alternate timeline; however, Uatu the Watcher is granted a "pocket universe" by his colleagues in which the 1602 timeline remains intact, and where the powered fugitives decide to settle in the Roanoke colony, declaring it a free place for all. Meanwhile, while walking in the woods with Virginia, Peter is bitten by a spider exposed to the energies released when Rojhaz and Fury entered the rift. Banner, who shielded Peter from the energies, has changed into a hulking gray monster. Intrigued by the continuing events, Uatu continues to watch the new universe (later designated [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Earth-311]]).

==Characters==
{{Main|List of Marvel 1602 characters}}
''1602'' features both historical figures and many of the original Marvel superheroes and villains. Some popular characters, such as [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]], were not added because of Gaiman's vision to address the heroes of the 1960s. "The territory doesn't go much further than 1969 in terms of the characters that I picked to use," Gaiman noted. "I couldn't get everybody in because there are an awful lot of Marvel characters."<ref name="press conference"/>

* '''[[Elizabeth I of England]]''': The aging Queen of England. Already close to death, she is killed by a poisonous gas device constructed by [[Doctor Doom|Otto von Doom]] (the Doctor Doom of this reality).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borman |first=Tracy |date=2020-09-07 |title=7 things you (probably) didn't know about Elizabeth I |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/elizabethan/7-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-elizabeth-i |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=History Extra |language=en}}</ref>
* '''[[James I of England]]''': Originally King James VI of Scotland, James becomes the monarch over England as well with Elizabeth's death. James maintains an intense hatred of [[witchbreed]] (the [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] of this reality) and seeks to destroy them along with any who practice sorcery or witchcraft.
* '''[[Virginia Dare]]''': The daughter of Ananias Dare, and the first [[British people|English]] child born in the [[Americas]]. In this world, the [[Roanoke Colony]] did not disappear in the 1580s; when Steve Rogers went into this world he saved the colony, which would have been killed by starvation. Dare touches the rift caused by Rogers' arrival. She has the ability to transform into white-furred animals when frightened, which she later learns to control, and appears to be the equivalent to [[Alpha Flight]]'s [[Snowbird (character)|Snowbird]] who has a similar appearance and powers, though Neil Gaiman had denied this.
* '''[[Uatu]], the [[Watcher (comics)|Watcher]]''': A younger member of a race of intelligent beings who have sworn not to interfere in the affairs of lesser races, only to watch and observe. He breaks this oath, however, by explaining the situation to an astral projection of [[Doctor Strange|Doctor Stephen Strange]].
* '''[[Nick Fury|Sir Nicholas Fury]]''': The Queen's intelligence officer (referred to as the "intelligencer") and responsible for foiling many past plots against the monarch. Seemingly killed when he carries an unconscious [[Captain America|Rojhaz]] into the dimensional rift.
* '''[[Doctor Stephen Strange]]''': The Queen's Physician, who is also a [[magic (illusion)|magician]] and alchemist. He allows himself to be beheaded by King James, which subsequently frees him from the restriction placed upon him by [[Uatu the Watcher]] (namely, that he could not reveal what he knows while still living).
* '''[[Alternative versions of Spider-Man|Peter Parquagh]]''': Sir Nicholas' apprentice; left orphaned and tended to by his aunt and uncle until Fury arrived and took the boy to [[London]].
* '''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matthew Murdoch]]''': A [[Blindness|blind]] [[Irish people|Irish]] [[minstrel]] who moonlights as a freelance agent. Matthew was blinded by a mysterious substance he encountered as a child; yet from it, he also acquired heightened senses.
* '''[[Clea Strange]]''': Stephen Strange's wife and assistant, Clea actually comes from another dimension. After bringing her husband's severed head to the Roanoke colony—thus fulfilling her last promise to him—she asks the heroes to bury the head with the rest of the body and then returns to her home dimension.
* '''[[Captain America|Rojhaz]]''': Virginia's blonde-haired, blue-eyed Native American bodyguard, who in fact is a displaced Captain America from a dystopian future. When the government of his time ruled by [[Purple Man]] captured him and attempted to execute him using advanced technology, he was accidentally sent back in time—the event which triggered the alternate timeline to begin with—thus forming the paradox of the story.
* '''[[Professor X|Carlos Javier]]''': A [[Spaniards|Spaniard]] living in [[England]], where he runs a "[[X-Mansion|College for the Sons of Gentlefolk]]", in fact a haven for "[[witchbreed]]". His students include '''[[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Roberto Trefusis]]''', '''[[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Scotius Summerisle]]''', '''[[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Hal McCoy]]''', '''[[Warren Worthington III|Werner]]''', and '''[[Jean Grey|"John" Grey]]''' (who is in fact a young woman with psychic powers rivaling his own).
* The '''[[Fantastic Four|Four from the ''Fantastick'']]''': A band of explorers who gained powers when their ship encountered a strange energy vortex at sea. The four are [[Thing (comics)|Captain Benjamin Grimm]], [[Mister Fantastic|Sir Richard Reed]], [[Invisible Woman|Susan Storm]], and [[Human Torch|John Storm]]. Their bodies were reshaped into the four elements: Reed's body became pliable like water, Grimm's body became solid rock, Susan's body became weightless and invisible like air, and John's body became living fire. They are eventually captured by Doom.
* '''[[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Grand Inquisitor Enrique]]''': Born a [[Sephardic Jew]], a young Enrique was forcibly baptized and seduced by a Catholic priest, and thus inducted into the church. As an adult, he leads the [[Spanish Inquisition]]—a position of power through which he can further his own plans. Although ordered to execute the witchbreed, he hides those whom he can pass off as normal. Secretly a witchbreed himself, he uses his activities as a cover to form a "[[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood of Those Who Will Inherit the Earth]]". He is assisted by '''[[Scarlet Witch|Sister Wanda]]''' and '''[[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Petros]]''', who are secretly his children. He is also aided by '''[[Toad (Marvel Comics)|Toad]]''', despite Toad's betrayal at one point.
* '''[[Hulk|David Banner]]''': An advisor to King James, Banner is sent to Roanoke in order to kill Fury. When the rift is closed at the end of the story, Banner is caught within the backlash and is later seen lurking in the nearby woods as a massive gray-skinned creature.
* '''[[Doctor Doom|Count Otto von Doom]]''': Doom is the ruler of [[Latveria]], known as Otto the Handsome due to his perfect physique and appearance. He captures the Fantastick Four in order to force Reed's compliance in creating war machines, poisons, and various other inventions. Von Doom is later struck and badly burned by Thor's lightning, although he survives.
* '''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Donal]]''': The Guardian of the Templar Treasure, who is captured by [[Doctor Doom|Count Otto von Doom]] on his way to deliver the treasure of the Templars (the hammer [[Mjolnir (comics)|Mjolnir]] disguised as a simple walking stick) to England. He is rescued by [[Nick Fury|Sir Nicholas Fury]] and the [[witchbreed]] and is taken to the New World along with the [[Fantastic Four|Fantastick Four]].
* '''[[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Natasha]]''': She travels with Matthew while en route to meet Donal, who is bringing the Templar Treasure to England. Natasha is revealed to be working for Count Otto von Doom.

==Reception and legacy==
The first issue of ''1602'' was ranked first in August 2003 US comics with pre-order sales of 150,569.<ref>
{{cite web
| date=2004-09-16
| url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/3489.html
| title=Top 300 Comics Actual—August 2003
| publisher=icv2.com
| access-date=2008-07-16
}}
</ref>

''1602'' received mixed praise upon its release with [[Comics Bulletin]] stating "Is '''1602''' good? Yes, it's damn good. Is it revolutionary or even ground breaking? No. Sorry, but I can't go so far as to call a glorified [[What If (comics)|'''What If?''']] series anything more than what it is; a well done re-imagination of the Marvel Universe."<ref name="cb rev">{{cite web |last=Dolan |first=Cody |date=2003-08-25 |title=1602 #1 Review |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/10618034887537.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204085504/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/10618034887537.htm |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |access-date=2008-01-23 |publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]]}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' declared that the combination of writing and moody artwork meant "the Marvel Universe hasn't been this engrossing in ages."<ref>{{cite web|author=Jensen, Jeff|date=2003-09-05|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/09/05/1602/|title=Book Capsule Review: 1602 (Summer 2003)|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=2008-02-13}}</ref> ShakingThrough.net noted that fans looking for elements of Gaiman's ''The Sandman'' would be disappointed; "It's not a senses-shattering Marvel epic, but then it's not meant to be. It's nothing more or less than a chance to enjoy reinterpretations of some familiar characters."<ref>{{cite web|author=The Gentleman|url=http://www.shakingthrough.net/comics/reviews/2005/marvel_1602_2005.html|title=Somewhere in Time|publisher=ShakingThrough.net|date=2005-08-13|access-date=2008-02-20}}</ref> [[UGO Networks]] concurred, stating "there doesn't need to be a 'point' in re-imagining familiar icons—it's simply meant to be fun. [...] The result of ''1602'' is agreeable entertainment."<ref name="ugo">{{cite web |last=Latta |first=Darren |year=2004 |title=Featured Review: 1602 (Marvel Comics) |url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/1602/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204032720/http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/1602/ |archive-date=2008-12-04 |access-date=2008-02-20 |publisher=[[UGO Networks]]}}</ref> The series won several awards, including the [[Quill Award|Quill Book Award for Graphic Novels]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Quills Foundation|url=http://www.thequills.org/2005.html|title=The Quill Awards: The 2005 Awards|publisher=TheQuills.Org|year=2005|access-date=2008-02-12 |url-status=usurped|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071228234826/http://www.thequills.org/2005.html |archive-date = December 28, 2007}}</ref> The first issue was also awarded the 2003 [[Diamond Distributors]] Gem Award as "Comic of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |last=Brady |first=Matt |date=2004-03-31 |title=Diamond Names 2003 Gem Award Winners |url=http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11178 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219230304/http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11178 |archive-date=December 19, 2005 |access-date=2007-01-31 |publisher=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref>

Conversely, ''[[Time Magazine]]'' listed it as the worst comic of 2003, although the list's composer later stated "he didn't actually mean it was the worst comic of the year."<ref>{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=Andrew |date=2003-12-18 |title=Time 2003 Best and Worst: Comics |url=http://www.time.com/time/bestandworst/2003/comics.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217163357/http://www.time.com/time/bestandworst/2003/comics.html |archive-date=2007-12-17 |access-date=2008-02-12 |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> UGO's Darren Latta noted as a downside to the series that "the approach maybe a little too subdued at times." Latta also felt that despite being familiar with the setting, Gaiman never utilized the period to its full potential.<ref name=ugo/> Others simply felt that Gaiman's involvement led to inflated expectations; one review noted that while reading "I [...] felt at times like maybe it was all a little bit too cute, a little bit too in-jokey."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lander |first=Randy |date=2003-07-10 |title=Snap Judgements: Marvel 1602 |url=http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/snapjudgments/081103/marvel1602-1.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516121838/http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/snapjudgments/081103/marvel1602-1.shtml |archive-date=2008-05-16 |access-date=2008-02-12 |publisher=TheFourthRail.com}}</ref>

James Fleming, an adjunct instructor at [[Keiser University]] and [[Southern New Hampshire University]], has also written about the use of the postmodern tradition in ''1602'' and how this is employed as a means to respond to the post-9/11 world in which the comic was written.<ref>Fleming, James. "Incommensurable Ontologies and the Return of the Witness in Neil Gaiman's 1602." ''ImageTexT'' 4.1. [http://www.english.ufl.edu/imagetext/archives/v4_1/fleming/]</ref>

===Sequels===
''1602''{{'}}s success led to three sequels.

* The first, ''[[1602: New World]]'', takes place shortly after the end of ''1602'', with the heroes settling down in [[North America|America]]. The series was written by [[Greg Pak]] and illustrated by [[Greg Tocchini]], and the first issue was published in August 2005. During that time, [[Iron Man|Lord Iron]] and [[Thunderbolt Ross|Captain Ross]] had arrived to hunt down David Banner while coming into conflict with the Spider and Virginia Dare. Meanwhile, [[Norman Osborn|Master Osborn]] tries to turn the natives against the settlers.
* The second sequel, ''[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four]]'', was written by [[Peter David]] and pencilled by [[Pascal Alixe]]. The story involves the [[Fantastic Four]]'s adventures in London, the return of Otto von Doom, and the "[[Frightful Four|Four Who Are Frightful]]" when they capture [[William Shakespeare]] to chronicle Otto von Doom's travels to Bensaylum (this reality's Alantis).
* The third sequel ''[[Spider-Man: 1602]]'', was written by [[Jeff Parker (comics)|Jeff Parker]] and pencilled by [[Ramon Rosanas]]. The story centers on the continuing adventures of the Spider and features reinterpretations of Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, and Mary Jane Watson. Also appearing are the Beast, Janet and Henry Pym, the Kingpin (reimaged as a pirate named King's Pin), Bullseye (reimaged as an assassin and first mate of the King's Pin), and Steve Rogers.

===Spider-Verse===
The Marvel 1602 universe appears in a lead-up to ''[[Spider-Verse]]''. Peter Parquah is on stage at the Globe Theatre with Marion Jane Watson's family when [[Morlun]] appears. Peter attempts to defend himself, but Morlun proves too powerful. Morlun brings down the Globe Theater around everyone, and absorbs Peter's life essence. Before disappearing into another dimension, Morlun declares that all spiders will die.<ref>''Free Comic Book Day Vol 2014 Guardians''</ref>

===Secret Wars (2015)===
Marvel 1602 appears in ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' where its domain on [[Battleworld]] is referred to as King James' England. It is mostly featured in the comic ''1602: Witch Hunter Angela'' (which features a witch hunter version of [[Angela (character)|Angela]]). The ''Secret Wars'' ''Marvel 1602'' now includes Bronze Age and Modern Age Marvel characters where its King James is a variation of [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]].

===Web-Warriors===
The Web Warriors (Alternate versions of Spider-Man) visited the 1602 Universe to deal with the dimension's version of Sinister Six called the Sinister Sextet which consists of [[Carnage (character)|Carnage]], [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]], Karnov, Magus, and Serpent. After apprehending the villains, they noticed the dimension's Electro has escaped. Unbeknownst to the heroes, Electro followed them back to the Great Web.<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' Vol. 4 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* The Marvel 1602 reality appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'' episode "1602! (Six Against Infinity, Part 6)".{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
* ''Marvel 1602'' creator [[Neil Gaiman]] stated that he pitched the idea of a live-action adaptation of the series to [[Marvel Television]], only to be rejected. Additionally, [[Marvel Studios]] producer [[Kevin Feige]] has also stated that he is interested in a ''Marvel 1602'' series alongside ''[[Earth X]]'', but noted that there must be a built-in audience for it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://comicbook.com/2019/06/27/marvel-tv-shows-movies-marvel-1602-neil-gaiman-good-omens|title=Neil Gaiman Pitched a Marvel 1602 TV Show|last=Anderson|first=Jenna|work=Combicbook.com|access-date=July 8, 2019|date=June 26, 2019}}</ref> 
* The Marvel 1602 reality appears in the [[What If...? season 2|second season]] of ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=July 22, 2022 |title='Marvel Zombies,' 'Spider-Man: Freshman Year,' 'What If?' Season 2 Get First Looks |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/marvel-zombies-what-if-season-2-1235320234 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722211149/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/marvel-zombies-what-if-season-2-1235320234/ |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The universe primarily appears in the episode "[[What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?]]", which was produced without Neil Gaiman's involvement.<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=Neil Gaiman |last=Gaiman |first=Neil |date=December 31, 2023 |title=aceromanticperfection |url=https://www.tumblr.com/neil-gaiman/738204005183979520/how-far-into-the-process-of-the-mcu-adapting |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>

===Video games===
* Spider-Man 1602 appears as an unlockable skin in ''[[Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
* Spider-Man 1602 appears as a playable character in ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited (video game)|Spider-Man Unlimited]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Collected editions==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Title
! Material collected
! Published date
! ISBN
|-
| ''Marvel 1602''
| ''1602'' #1–8
| October 2004
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-1073-9}}
|-
| ''[[1602: New World|Marvel 1602: New World]]''
| ''[[1602: New World|Marvel 1602: New World]]'' #1–5
| January 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-0785114949}}
|-
| ''[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four]]''
| ''[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four]]'' #1–5
| June 2007
| {{ISBNT|978-0785122937}}
|-
| ''[[1602: New World|Marvel 1602: New World]]/[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four|Fantastick Four]]''
| ''[[1602: New World|Marvel 1602: New World]]'' #1–5 and ''[[Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four]]'' #1–5
| October 2009
| {{ISBNT|978-0785141365}}
|-
| ''[[Spider-Man: 1602|Marvel 1602: Spider-Man]]''
| ''[[Spider-Man: 1602|Marvel 1602: Spider-Man]]'' #1–5
| May 2010
| {{ISBNT|978-0785146032}}
|-
| ''1602 Witch Hunter Angela'' 
| ''1602 Witch Hunter Angela'' #1–4 and ''1602'' #1
| March 2016
| {{ISBNT|978-0785198604}}
|}

==See also==
* ''[[Dark Knights of Steel]]'' – a comic book series by [[DC Comics]] with a similar premise

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.enjolrasworld.com/Jess%20Nevins/1602/16021.html Annotations to Marvel 1602]
* [https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/1102/marvel_1602:_fantastick_four_(2006_-_2007) 1602: Fantastick Four on Marvel.com]

{{Marvel 1602}}
{{Marvel Multiverse}}
{{Neil Gaiman}}

{{good article}}

[[Category:2003 comics debuts]]
[[Category:2004 comics endings]]
[[Category:Comics by Neil Gaiman]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Elizabeth I]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of James VI and I]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics dimensions]]
[[Category:Roanoke Colony in fiction]]