Who could transform Captain America, the icon of red-white-and-blue nationalism, into a brawny, blond, loincloth-wearing Native American? Neil Gaiman, that's who.

In an unusual foray into the Marvel Universe of comics, Gaiman -- best known in the genre for his outstanding Sandman series for DC Comics' Vertigo imprint -- has rewritten the whole of Marveldom in the time of Good Queen Bess. Yes, it's 1602, but this isn't the way the history books have recorded it.

First, there's the head of Elizabeth's secret service, the one-eyed Sir Nicholas Fury, as well as his young aide, Peter Parquagh, who has a fascination for spiders. Stephen Strange serves as physician and magician to the queen, while the blind Irishman Matthew Murdoch is a secret agent in Fury's employ. There are legends of four heroes who sailed into a mystical storm aboard the Fantastick, and the crippled psychic Carlos Javier gathers people with special abilities to his side to protect them from the far-reaching Inquisition.

They and many more characters from the Marvel cast appear in different but recognizable roles. Some are obvious, while a few will catch readers by surprise when their identities are revealed.

But the power of this story is not found in tights and spandex. Rather, it's Gaiman's cunning reconstruction of familiar faces out of time, his clever tweaking of abilities and loyalties -- an entire reinvention of the world in a way that not only works, it feels comfortable. All of this is wrapped in a story of intrigue, plots and assassinations, betrayals and escapes that would work in any universe -- but works so much better in this one.

Gaiman's story is well served by Andy Kubert's highly detailed and textured art. Richard Isanove's digital painting adds lush, rich color to the proceedings. The entire series is all too quickly read, a pleasure from start to finish and back to the start for another go.

Note: Gaiman fans who are unfamiliar with the Marvel Universe might be a little lost in 1602; the story is still delicious -- and more serious than much of the typical Marvel fare -- but so much of its flavor is tied directly to the gasp (or giggle) of recognition that comes with each new character in the tale.

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 15 May 2004