2 out of 5

Guys, remember how Marvel is milking us for 5 bucks an ish on these Miracleman reprints, but we’re loving it because we’ve been wanting to read it for so long?  Right.  Well, now here’s an ‘All-New Annual’ that doesn’t really add much to the world (sorry Grant, Peter) but it’s another 5 bucks you spent.

Morrison’s bit at least has historical relevance, as it was written for Warrior back when MM was originally appearing there, and Joe Quesada honestly does it up with some restrained brilliance; amazing framing, reigning in of his occasionally excessive linework, and the weather themes give colorist Richard Isanove plenty of room to show off some wonderfully subdued moodiness.  Morrison’s script, about a young Bates being evil, is minor; however, that historical relevance is also at play here: it doesn’t fit with the manner in which the modern day MM is being told.  The timing of it seems off, and a short piece like this would’ve made more sense in Warrior’s short format.  It lacks impact nowadays.

Milligan’s bit, alas, reads like modern Milligan: trying to hard to be carefree.  It’s, I think, an attempt at being somewhat meta about MM and crew realizing the difference between reality and comic book fantasy, and there are nods to the classic MM and the Moore MM and it’s all just a little too noddy to actually feel carefree.  I’m also completely uncharmed by Allred, but if you dig his shtick then you dig his shtick and it looks alright here as well.

So, there you go.  Now enjoy backmatter that’s primarily black and whites of Allred art.  The Morrison bits at least give us some script.  I appreciate Quesada digging up Grant’s piece, but this could’ve been used as backmatter for the ongoing; comboing it with an uneven Milligan piece for the inflated pricetag seems reaching.