When asked by Marvel Comics to take a look at some old company-owned properties to breathe new life into, Warren Ellis picked The New Universe. He is currently scripting season two of a New Universe related title for Marvel called newuniversal retelling and redefining the New Universe mythos. However, I’m partial to the original universe established in the mid-eighties, and that’s the New Universe I’m going to write about here.
The New Universe, to be referred to for our purposes as The New U or just New U, was a landmark event launched to coincide with Marvel’s 25th anniversary in 1986. One very refreshing concept found in The New U was that time transpired in real time. One year of real time equalled twelve issues of a particular title. There was not always one month in between every issue, sometimes only a period of days, but one year of New U time was one year of real time, explaining why there were gaps of months between issues at times. Also, the characters were not exactly superheroes, but simply individuals with powers. In many cases it was not the paranormal’s intention to fight crime or save the world, but rather to just stay alive! One key storyline had Kenneth Connell, wielder of The Star Brand, blowing up Pittsburgh! This was ground-breaking stuff, no pun intended, and made for a tightly-knit universe. Pittsburgh bit the dust in Star Brand issue 12, and the graphic novel The Pitt, covering events shortly thereafter, is still one of my favorite comic book stories of all-time. One of the coolest story lines in the New U was found in DP 7. I mean, these characters were on the run from the clinic, a place that didn’t necessarily have their best interests at heart, and spent a lot of their time fleeing in a van that belonged to one of the members of the group. I’ve heard it bemoaned that there were no great villains in The New U, but this was just a different type of storytelling.
The New Universe was conceived by Jim Shooter, Marvel’s then editor-in-chief, who also wrote the first six issues of Star Brand, thought by some to be somewhat autobiographical. Undoubtedly, The New U was a harbinger of things to come later for Mr. Shooter at Valiant Comics. The New U also featured some of Peter David’s earliest comic book work, good stuff found in issues of Merc and Justice. Some of John Romita Jr’s earliest artwork can be found in early issues of Star Brand, and other highlights include one of Todd McFarlane’s earliest penciling jobs on Spitfire and The Troubleshooters issue 4. A seldom-mentioned fact is Jim Lee inked a back-up story in Justice issue 30.
There were a total of 174 comic books published under the New Universe banner from 1986-1990, and I certainly hope this article has piqued your interest to try a few issues and see if you don’t get the same enjoyment from them I have received.
The New Universe Influence on Valiant Comics
WHEN NO ONE ELSE CAN HELP YOU, WE CAN. CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-555-NORM."
This is from an ad placed by the organization called The Clinic. The Clinic was adversarial to DP 7 for most of the run.
Now, strangely enough from page 7 of Harbinger 1 here's what the ad in a newspaper placed by The Harbinger Foundation says:
ARE YOU DIFFERENT? Do strange things happen to you, or around you? Do you feel abnormal? There's no need to be afraid. Our organization has helped many outstanding people like yourself. Non-profit, no religious affiliation. For more information, write to: (The Harbinger Foundation.)
Another interesting link between The New Universe and Valiant happened between a New Universe character and The Valiant Universe after the Valiant Universe had been acquired and was being published by Acclaim.
In issue #26 of Psi-Force, the reporter Andrew Chaser breaks the story on the group of paranormal teens. He agonizes over making the decision, but knows that he will win the Pulitzer. Ultimately he releases the story, changing the future direction of the kids (and therefore, the series.) Andrew Chaser is blond, has a mullet and glasses. The story was written by none other the Fabian Nicieza.
In issue #15 of Troublemakers, the reporter Andrew Chaser breaks the story on the group of genetically altered teens. The story was written, of course, by Nicieza as well.
DP 7 was written by The New Universe's Mark Gruenwald, while Harbinger 1 was written by the man who conceived The New Universe and Valiant, Jim Shooter. Frankly, this ad demonstrates a foundational concept for Harbinger. Early issues of Harbinger are legendary in the comic book industry for quality and originality, but it's time Marvel's New Universe got the attention and respect it deserves for the key role it played in comic publishing history.
One paragraph of the above article is taken from a post on an internet message board. I wish I could credit the author of said post, but have no way of doing so.
I'm going to have to write an article at some point exploring how The New Universe's The Clinic was a model for Valiant's Harbinger Foundation. I'll never forget Gruenwald's scripts on DP 7 as the whole gang of DP 7 got into an old van and went on the run from The Clinic.
