Customer Reviews

D.P. 7 Classic - Volume 1 (v. 1)

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The original mid-`80s release of Marvel's New Universe didn't impress me much, but as I was in my teens at the time, that's not surprising. After reading the recent reprint volumes of Star Brand and D.P. 7, it's obvious that I missed out on something that was truly ahead of its time. This was editor-in-chief Jim Shooter's first stab at a more realistic comic universe, something he would fully realize at Valiant. In fact, all the elements that were an integral part of Shooter's Valiant title Harbinger were present in D.P. 7:

- Everyday folks who have received powers they don't want or even understand.
- The people that claim to help them understand their powers want them for other purposes.
- A lack of true costumes and code names.
- An equal emphasis on both the positive and negative effects of their powers.
- Villains that wear regular clothes and hide in everyday settings, rather than secret lairs.

Granted, in today's comic market, the more realistic approach sounds par for the course. Well, it all started with the New Universe, and D.P.7 is an excellent example. This was a great series from writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Paul Ryan, following the adventures of seven "displaced paranormals" who have escaped from The Clinic, a shady organization that supposedly wants to assist them in understanding the amazing powers bestowed upon them by the "White Event". The group consists of Randy O'Brien, who can generate an energy duplicate of himself; David Landers, who grows new muscles on a regular basis; Jeff Walters, so fast he can't be seen; Charly Beck, who can control friction; Dennis Cuzinski, whose skin generates a caustic substance; Stephanie Harrington, who can heal with a touch; and Lenore Fenzl, the sight of whose bare skin can paralyze and/or render others unconscious. The story focuses primarily on the seven's relationships with each other and with the loved ones they have left behind. As they are on the run from both the law and Clinic agents (who also have paranormal abilities), they work on accepting their abilities and using them to fight for their freedom and something resembling a normal life.

I'd love to see more reprints soon. Come on Marvel! Let's milk the New Universe for everything it's worth.

Mark Gruenwald was inarguably one of the greatest geniuses that comic books has ever seen. He made characters' personalities realistic without resorting to the over-the-top blood and depression that too many writers nowadays think are a shortcut to versimilitude.

D.P.7 is just one of his many masterpieces, turning many of the superhero conventions upside down, from heroic "energy vampires" to super-speed that comes with a price. His writing is complimented by Paul Ryan's art, which is neither surreal nor dank and gritty; it's simply very close a to portrayal of reality. He's also helped by Paul Becton's colors and the inks of Romeo Tanghal, Al Williamson, and Danny Bulanadi. Nor can we forget Phil Felix, who makes all the dialogue readable without employing, as do many letterers presently, a strange style that yanks you out of the story.

This collection contains the first nine issues of D.P.7 and ends on a cliffhanger, so if you can't wait for Volume 2, go back issue hunting at your local comic store. You won't be disappointed.

Good reprint of the first issues of the original DP7 wish they had the rest of the series. This was the attempt to make a superheroe team on a new world and they tried to make it 'realistic'. I wish they'd print the other volumes to complete the series.
If you liked 'Heroes' TV show you will probably like this.