It’s the end of the year and last week of new comic releases and that means Marvel is releasing their one-shot teasing out what we can expect in the next year. Timeless #1 revolves around Kang the Conqueror who is becoming square and center of the Marvel Universe in what’s to come.

Jed MacKay handles the teases as Kang is out to prove that he’s a greater villain than Doctor Doom. He’s recruited a sidekick who will eventually write a pro-Doom book that becomes a hit. Kang wants him to bear witness to see how wrong he is when it comes to that. It’s a trip through time as we get to witness ourselves as to what makes Kang so great but more importantly, what makes Kang tick. But, there’s a threat in a “pirate timeline” that threatens existence as it attempts to survive its destruction.

Timeless #1 is an interesting issue that stands on its own as a one-shot to teach us who Kang is. As a character study, the issue is great and provides an interesting take on the character. This isn’t just a villain looking to conquer different time periods or just cause chaos. There’s some motivation and an underling pinning of a reason behind the actions. We’re given teases that what motivates Kang might actually work out for humanity and protect it in some ways. There’s an interesting depth here.

The comic is also about teases which are kept to a surprising minimum. Many of these past comics have felt like a series of short vignettes creating a choppy reading experience and a read that feels like a lot of prologues mashed together. Here, it feels like narrative has come first continuing Marvel’s focus on its villain of the year(s). The fact this rising profile coincides with a higher profile in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t lost on me but if it’s a good read, that doesn’t really matter. And, this is a solid read.

Timeless #1 features quite a few artists, Kev Walker, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Mark Bagley, and Andrew Hennessy. Despite the five different artists, the art does feel consistent and is really solid to watch. This doesn’t have a feel that a certain artist took one particular time period and that’s it, there’s an actual flow in visuals that the different creators isn’t as noticeable and definitely doesn’t feel out of place which can happen. Marte Gracia provides the colors with Ariana Maher on lettering. What’s interesting about the art is that while it looks good, there’s also a missing visual moment with long impact. There isn’t that iconic panel or spread that’ll stick throughout the year. But, the art looks really good.

Timeless #1 is a solid read that focuses more on one character than teasing out what’s to come. There’s only about 3 pages total that does that and some of the teases we generally have answers to. But, it’s that end page that’ll have readers in the know lingering and excited for what’s to come. In an age of leaks and spoilers it’s a reveal that has been kept impressively quiet. It also teases what might be one of the biggest shakeups to come to Marvel in quite a while.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Kev Walker, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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