Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2023 1:50:14 GMT
www.cbr.com/us1-worst-series-hate-marvel/
Does Marvel Comics' Worst Series Really Deserve the Hate?
BY
DEVON LORD-MONCRIEF
Every once in a while, a comic develops a reputation for not just being bad, but for being one of the worst comics of all time. There are many different reasons why certain comics don’t go over well with readers. It can be due to poor characterizations, bad dialogue, or weak art. Sometimes, though, it’s because the plot is so off-the-wall ridiculous, that it causes even the most die-hard comic fan to frown in confusion. Marvel Comics produced such a comic, that has since become considered one of the worst stories Marvel has ever published. After 40 years of ridicule, though, it's time to give U.S. 1 another chance.
Released in 1983, U.S. 1 (by Al Milgrom and Herb Trimpe) is a 12-issue mini-series featuring the titular hero, Ulysses Solomon Archer (or U.S. for short) and his quest in discovering the truth about his brother’s murder. Ulysses is a trucker by trade and takes to the sprawling East Coast highways in his suped-up big rig. U.S. 1 is a colorful blend of sense-shattering action, mystery, and cartoon comedy whose only real crime is having a story that might be a bit too silly and unique.
U.S. 1 begins with a bang. Late one stormy night, U.S. is riding with his brother Jeff in his truck when a gigantic black rig forces them off the highway. His brother’s last words were how it was the dreaded Highwayman who was the perpetrator. After being wounded to the brink of death from the accident, U.S. undergoes experimental surgery and receives a special metal replacement for the top half of his skull. Not only is it super durable and hard, but it also gives U.S. the ability to pick up CB radio transmissions directly into his head. U.S.’s journey to apprehend the Highwayman includes battling the mind-controlling villainess Midnight, the German zeppelin captain Baron von Blimp, an entire motorcycle gang, and even aliens from outer space. U.S.’s big rig is custom-built by U.S. himself, equipped with oil slicks, tear gas, missiles, super boosts, and more.
Just when it seems as if the action can’t be topped, it’s revealed that the Highwayman is actually U.S.’s brother all along. A final showdown between space-faring big rigs results in Jeff’s defeat and U.S. becoming the first intergalactic trucker. For those wondering how such a wild and silly story could have been conceived of in the first place, the origins of U.S. 1 are actually very fitting. As Al Milgrom explains at the end of the first issue, the toy company Tyco, famous for their model train sets, approached Marvel and inquired if they would be interested in making a comic series for their U.S. 1 electric model trucks. Then Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter accepted the request and began brainstorming with Milgrom and got the project rolling.
The knowledge that the series was based on a toy line makes reading U.S. 1 a very enjoyable experience. Milgrom and Shooter had pointedly wanted the series to have a much lighter tone than other superhero comics. Thanks to supporting characters such as Papa Wheely, Wide Load Annie, Retread, and Taryn “Taryn Down the Highway” O’Connell, U.S. 1 has the personality of a Saturday morning cartoon. Its carefree attitude lends itself well to its silly premise and never once takes itself seriously. U.S. 1 has been featured on countless “Worst of” lists and videos for years, often being cited as one of Marvel’s dorkiest series. In all honesty, U.S. 1 does not deserve the ridicule it gets.
It’s important to remember that comics are primarily for children and that not everything published as a comic book needs to be mature in tone or content. Sometimes it’s okay to turn your mind off for a bit and just enjoy a story for what it is. U.S. 1, while certainly not Marvel’s best work, is definitely not its worst work. At its best, U.S. 1 delivers explosive action akin to the show Knight Rider and the arcade game SpyHunter. It’s packed to the brim with classic Marvel wit and imagination and offers a satisfying conclusion to its story. It’s easy to paint U.S. 1 as a joke and a waste of time due to its premise, but that’s a major discredit to the series. It isn’t perfect, and it isn’t for everyone, but U.S. 1 is by far not terrible, and it shouldn’t be anywhere near a “Worst of” list.
Does Marvel Comics' Worst Series Really Deserve the Hate?
BY
DEVON LORD-MONCRIEF
Every once in a while, a comic develops a reputation for not just being bad, but for being one of the worst comics of all time. There are many different reasons why certain comics don’t go over well with readers. It can be due to poor characterizations, bad dialogue, or weak art. Sometimes, though, it’s because the plot is so off-the-wall ridiculous, that it causes even the most die-hard comic fan to frown in confusion. Marvel Comics produced such a comic, that has since become considered one of the worst stories Marvel has ever published. After 40 years of ridicule, though, it's time to give U.S. 1 another chance.
Released in 1983, U.S. 1 (by Al Milgrom and Herb Trimpe) is a 12-issue mini-series featuring the titular hero, Ulysses Solomon Archer (or U.S. for short) and his quest in discovering the truth about his brother’s murder. Ulysses is a trucker by trade and takes to the sprawling East Coast highways in his suped-up big rig. U.S. 1 is a colorful blend of sense-shattering action, mystery, and cartoon comedy whose only real crime is having a story that might be a bit too silly and unique.
U.S. 1 begins with a bang. Late one stormy night, U.S. is riding with his brother Jeff in his truck when a gigantic black rig forces them off the highway. His brother’s last words were how it was the dreaded Highwayman who was the perpetrator. After being wounded to the brink of death from the accident, U.S. undergoes experimental surgery and receives a special metal replacement for the top half of his skull. Not only is it super durable and hard, but it also gives U.S. the ability to pick up CB radio transmissions directly into his head. U.S.’s journey to apprehend the Highwayman includes battling the mind-controlling villainess Midnight, the German zeppelin captain Baron von Blimp, an entire motorcycle gang, and even aliens from outer space. U.S.’s big rig is custom-built by U.S. himself, equipped with oil slicks, tear gas, missiles, super boosts, and more.
Just when it seems as if the action can’t be topped, it’s revealed that the Highwayman is actually U.S.’s brother all along. A final showdown between space-faring big rigs results in Jeff’s defeat and U.S. becoming the first intergalactic trucker. For those wondering how such a wild and silly story could have been conceived of in the first place, the origins of U.S. 1 are actually very fitting. As Al Milgrom explains at the end of the first issue, the toy company Tyco, famous for their model train sets, approached Marvel and inquired if they would be interested in making a comic series for their U.S. 1 electric model trucks. Then Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter accepted the request and began brainstorming with Milgrom and got the project rolling.
The knowledge that the series was based on a toy line makes reading U.S. 1 a very enjoyable experience. Milgrom and Shooter had pointedly wanted the series to have a much lighter tone than other superhero comics. Thanks to supporting characters such as Papa Wheely, Wide Load Annie, Retread, and Taryn “Taryn Down the Highway” O’Connell, U.S. 1 has the personality of a Saturday morning cartoon. Its carefree attitude lends itself well to its silly premise and never once takes itself seriously. U.S. 1 has been featured on countless “Worst of” lists and videos for years, often being cited as one of Marvel’s dorkiest series. In all honesty, U.S. 1 does not deserve the ridicule it gets.
It’s important to remember that comics are primarily for children and that not everything published as a comic book needs to be mature in tone or content. Sometimes it’s okay to turn your mind off for a bit and just enjoy a story for what it is. U.S. 1, while certainly not Marvel’s best work, is definitely not its worst work. At its best, U.S. 1 delivers explosive action akin to the show Knight Rider and the arcade game SpyHunter. It’s packed to the brim with classic Marvel wit and imagination and offers a satisfying conclusion to its story. It’s easy to paint U.S. 1 as a joke and a waste of time due to its premise, but that’s a major discredit to the series. It isn’t perfect, and it isn’t for everyone, but U.S. 1 is by far not terrible, and it shouldn’t be anywhere near a “Worst of” list.